Emma Kansiz
I’ve selected the best songs about walking, each track capturing the rhythm, freedom, and reflective journey that comes with each step.
This article is a musical exploration of the simple, yet profound act of walking, through tunes that resonate with every pace and path.
Top songs about walking
- The Proclaimers – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
- Katrina & The Waves – “Walking On Sunshine”
- Passion Pit – “Take A Walk”
- U2 – “Walk On”
- Lou Reed – “Walk On The Wild Side”
- The Police – “Walking On The Moon”
- Franz Ferdinand – “Walk Away”
- Foo Fighters – “Walk”
- RUN DMC and Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
- Kwabs – “Walk”
1. The Proclaimers – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
There’s no question about it: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” is one of the most iconic songs about walking.
It’s uplifting, familiar, and sweet, which ultimately makes it a good karaoke song.
But more importantly, it will motivate you to go out for a walk.
“But I would roll 500 miles
And I would roll 500 more
Just to be the man who roles a thousand miles
To fall down at your door.”
2. Katrina & The Waves – “Walking On Sunshine”
This is another timeless hit that will inspire you to take a long, energetic walk.
It’s also arguably one of the most popular songs with walking in the lyrics.
And that comes as no surprise since it’s full of good vibes!
“I feel alive, I feel the love, I feel the love that’s really real
I’m on sunshine, baby, oh
Oh, yeah, I’m on sunshine, baby.”
3. Passion Pit – “Take A Walk”
If you’re at home and feeling low or unmotivated, try this: go get dressed, go out, and listen to this song on your headphones.
Notice the world around you, the air, sounds, and people. And keep walking until you’re feeling better.
“All these kinds of places make it seem like it’s been ages
Tomorrow some new building will scrape the sky
I love this country dearly
I can feel the ladder clearly
But I never thought I’d be alone to try.”
4. U2 – “Walk On”
Although Bono Vox recently said that U2’s songs are cringe, we don’t completely agree.
“Walk On” indeed sounds like a typical U2 song, and it’s loved and appreciated by people around the world.
So, regardless of Bono thinks about his music, he and his band played an important role in music history.
5. Lou Reed – “Walk On The Wild Side”
Lou Reed wrote one of the best songs about walking.
It’s considered a counterculture anthem as it deals with topics that were considered taboo at the time.
Nevertheless, it’s a timeless classic that can both relax you and remind you to take a walk on the wild side from time to time.
“She says, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
Said, “Hey, honey
Take a walk on the wild side.”
6. The Police – “Walking On The Moon”
In essence, “Walking On The Moon” is a love song.
Who doesn’t feel like walking on the moon when they’re completely infatuated with someone?
In that situation, anything is possible.
“We could walk forever
Walking on the moon
We could live together
Walking on, walking on the moon.”
7. Franz Ferdinand – “Walk Away”
When it comes to indie walk songs, Franz Ferdinand’s “Walk Away” is a classic.
It’s definitely one of their biggest hits, and no matter how many times we hear it, it still has a foot-tapping effect on us.
“No buildings will fall down
Don’t you walk away
No quake will split the ground
Won’t you walk away
The sun won’t swallow the sky
Won’t you walk away.”
8. Foo Fighters – “Walk”
There are obviously many famous rock songs with walk in the lyrics.
And we can’t skip Foo Fighters’ 2011 hit.
In 2012, “Walk” won two Grammy awards: for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song.
“Learning to walk again
I believe I’ve waited long enough
Where do I begin?”
9. RUN DMC and Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about one of the most iconic walking songs.
It was released in 1986 and it can still regularly be heard in bars and on the radio.
It’s fair to say it’s a timeless hit.
“I was a high school loser, never made it with a lady
‘Til the boys told me something I missed
Then my next door neighbor with a daughter had a favor
So I gave her just a little kiss, like this.”
10. Kwabs – “Walk”
“Gotta slow up, gotta shake this high
Gotta take a minute just to ease my mind
‘Cause if I don’t walk, then I get caught out
And I’ll be falling all the way down.”
Walk” is the debut single of British singer Kwabs, also released on the FIFA 15 Soundtrack.
It’s a powerful song that will motivate you to keep up the pace.
11. Pink – “Walk Me Home”
If you’re looking for a song about walking you home, the message of Pink’s 2019 tune is pretty clear.
Moreover, it’s a sweet, emotional song about wanting to feel safe, protected, and loved by someone.
“Walk me home in the dead of night
I can’t be alone with all that’s on my mind
So say you’ll stay with me tonight
‘Cause there is so much wrong going on outside.”
12. Craig David – “Walking Away”
Craig David’s “Walking Away” was a big hit in the early 2000s.
It’s definitely a nice throwback and a good song for walking around the city.
“I’m walking away
From the troubles in my life
I’m walking away
Oh, to find a better day
I’m walking away.”
13. Kelly Clarkson – “Walk Away”
Kelly Clarkson knows what she wants: she wants you to walk away.
Well, you should listen to the song first. It’s very catchy!
And it could be a good soundtrack for walking down the street and feeling confident.
“Should you stay or should you go?
Well, if you don’t have the answer
Why you still standin’ here?
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Just walk away.”
14. The Paper Kites and Maro – “Walk Above The City”
“No rain or storms above
That could make us stay
Let’s walk above the city
You and I.”
“Walk Above The City” is definitely one of the most beautiful new songs about walking.
The Paper Kites released it on their 2021 studio album “Roses.”
It’s dreamy, calming, and captivating… Perfect for an evening walk by yourself.
15. Ludovico Einaudi – “Walk”
If you prefer relaxing songs for walking, you should listen to “Walk” by Ludovico Einaudi.
However, the song can also feel emotionally intense. It depends on your state of mind and the way this kind of music affects you.
16. Kerli – “Walking on Air”
This is not one of the popular walking songs, but you should give it a chance.
It’s upbeat, dreamy, and mysterious, and it will maybe make you feel like you’re walking on air. It’s worth trying.
“Feel it, breathe it, believe it
And you’ll be walking on air
Go try, go fly, so high
And you’ll be walking on air.”
17. Aurora – “Walking In The Air”
Aurora was also inspired by the idea of walking in the air.
Her beautiful 2021 track is one of the songs for walking that will allow you to get lost in your own thoughts.
It’s dreamy, gentle, and melancholic… It’s like a fairytale.
“I’m walking in the air
I’m floating in the midnight sky
The people far below
They greet us as we fly.”
18. Marc Cohn – “Walking In Memphis”
Are you wondering who originally sang “Walking In Memphis”?
Well, it was composed and recorded by Marc Cohn in 1991.
It’s also Cohn’s signature song, but many other musicians recorded it as well.
“Then I’m walking in Memphis
Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?”
19. Johnny Cash – “I Walk The Line”
Speaking of famous walk songs, this country classic also deserves a special mention.
In one of his greatest hits, Johnny Cash sings about fidelity and integrity.
“Walk The Line” is also the title of the 2005 film that follows Cash’s early life.
“I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine,
I walk the line.”
20. The Bangles – “Walk Like an Egyptian”
Are you ready for a smash hit?
After being released in 1986, “Walk Like an Egyptian” became the most popular song of 1987.
And it will probably be loved by many generations to come.
“All the school kids so sick of books
They like the punk and the metal band
When the buzzer rings (oh whey oh)
They’re walking like an Egyptian.”
21. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Walk On The Water”
If you’re a Creedence Clearwater Revival fan, you’re probably familiar with “Walk On The Water.”
Well, it’s one of the good walking songs that will help you increase your walking tempo.
“Late last night, I went for a walk
Down by the river near my home
Couldn’t believe, with my own eyes
And I swear I’ll never leave my home again.”
22. Dire Straits – “Walk Of Life”
Dire Straits recorded a song about a different kind of walk.
But if we’re talking about songs with walk in the title, the list wouldn’t be complete without this universal hit.
Mark Knopfler dedicated it to the street buskers of London, and he was reportedly inspired by a photograph and Cajun-style accordion.
“He do the song about the sweet lovin’ woman
He do the song about the knife
He do the walk, do the walk of life
Yeah, he do the walk of life.”
23. Dionne Warwick – “Walk On By”
“Walk On By” is another unforgettable classic.
It’s a soulful song about heartbreak and seeing someone you love(d) walking down the street.
It was released as the B-side to Warwick’s single “Any Old Time Of The Day”, but it turned out to be a successful hit.
“Now you really gotta go, so walk on by (don’t, don’t stop)
Baby, leave, you’ll never see the tears I cry (don’t, don’t stop)
Now you really gotta go, so walk on by (don’t, don’t stop).”
24. Adele – “Can I Get It”
Is there a better feeling than walking down the street on a beautiful day while listening to empowering music?
How about Adele’s “Can I Get It”?
Adele released it on her latest studio album “30”, and it’s definitely the most upbeat song on the album.
It will make you feel confident and powerful.
“Pave me a path to follow
And I’ll tread any dangerous road
I will beg and I’ll steal, I will borrow
If I can make, if I can make your heart my home.”
25. Tom Misch – “South Of The River”
And “South Of The River” will probably make you dance on the street as well.
It’s a great walking soundtrack to keep you motivated and energized.
“Watching the sunshine blaze the gray
I don’t know why you wouldn’t stay
You should come south of the river
Where the loving is gold.”
26. Hollow Coves – “The Woods”
If you’re taking a walk in the woods, the song will help you enjoy the moment even more.
Nature can have healing powers, just like music. So, the combination of the two can really do wonders.
“And we all sit around the fire
We feel a little warmer now
And we all sit around the fire
We feel so much better now.”
27. Naughty Boy, Beyoncé, and Arrow Benjamin – “Runnin'”
And if you’re looking for songs about walking or running, this tune will inspire you to do both.
It will give that extra energy boost.
“Runnin'” is a power ballad though; it deals with longing and inner struggles. But that can also encourage you to deal with your own thoughts and to start moving on.
Long walks with inspiring music can be a perfect way of decluttering your mind.
“Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’, runnin’
Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’
Ain’t runnin’ from myself no more
Together we’ll win it all.”
28. Roo Panes – “Open Road”
Roo Panes’ “Open Road” is not only a song for walking. It’s also a song for hiking, climbing mountains, and exploring the world.
So, what are you waiting for?
“Let me out of this cage, ‘fore I swell up with rage
Let me sing to old age ‘fore I’m done
Let me shout to the skies that I’m too young to die
And that fate will never stop me from trying.”
29. Jimmy Rogers – “Walking By Myself”
Chicago blues singer Jimmy Rogers also knew the benefits of walking.
He first recorded “Walking By Myself” in 1956.
Yes, this tune might be old, but that only proves that Jimmy Rogers’ music has a timeless charm.
“I’m walking by myself,
I hope you’ll understand.
I just want to be your lovin’ man.”
30. The Ronettes – “Walking in the Rain”
And finally, an ultimate feel-good song about walking in the rain.
The Ronettes can definitely make you believe that everything’s gonna be alright.
“Like walking in the rain (like walking in the rain)
And wishing on the stars (and wishing on the stars) up above
And being so in love.”
Final Thoughts
We hope this playlist has filled you up with good energy and motivation for walking.
After all, even a short walk can be very beneficial for you.
It will clear your head, wake you up, and help you be more productive. So, it’s healthy both for your body and your mind.
Therefore, put your shoes on, take our playlist with you, and take a nice walk!
Similar Articles
