Before the invention of the MP3 player, one of the greatest things about going to a roller skating rink was the music! You had to skate up to the DJ and ask them to play your favorite song…and then wait. However, today, most people who regularly skate often come with their iPhone, a pair of earbuds and a long playlist to rock out on.
So, in this article, I want to share with you the very best speed skate music on my playlist. I am going to cover the top 11 songs that are perfect for you whether you are a regular speed skater or just one of those who likes to workout on your roller skates instead of running on the dreaded treadmill.
If you are looking for the very best roller skating music, be sure to check out my Best Roller Skating Songs of the 70s, 80s, 90s and Today. This post is all about going fast on your rollerblades and getting a great workout.
My Top 11 Speed Skate Songs
Here is some of the best speed skate music from my playlist to get your feet moving!
1. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
One of the best songs for speed skating. If you are lucky enough that your rink will play some AC/DC, then the first 10 seconds of this song alone gets everyone in the rink skating faster and quickly.
2. Kickstart My Heart
The Crüe is a necessity for any speed skater. There is nothing that will get you moving fast and keep you going like the Dr. Feelgood album. This song is a speed skating classic. It even has an intro with a guitar that sounds like a motorcycle. How much cooler can you possibly get?
3. Dr. Feelgood – Mötley Crüe
One of the best speed skate albums ever made. Whether it’s the album title, Kickstart My Heart, Same ‘Ol Situation, Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) or even the slow Without You, this album has enough great music to keep you moving.
4. Back in Black – AC/DC
By now, you are starting to see our theme. If you are in to speed skating or want a great workout on skates, then you can’t go wrong with some good, old, fast heavy metal. AC/DC is one of the best. We could have also picked Highway to Hell, TNT or You Shook Me (and all of those could also be on this list), but Back In Black and Thunderstruck are by far the two top AC/DC speed skate songs.
5. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
You can’t go wrong with some Axl Rose and Slash! This song from the 80s is one of the most popular speed skate songs played in rinks during fast skate parts of any session. Paradise City is also a worthy contender, but Welcome to the Jungle is by far the best GNR song for speed skating.
6. Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
If you bite the head off of a bat, then you definitely deserve to be in any top ten list about the best speed skates songs ever. Seriously, though. Ozzy is one of the greatest of all time, and Randy Rhoads literally shreds his guitar in this song. One of the absolute best guitar solos of all time, and one that you don’t want to be without on your playlist.
7. One Vision – Queen
In the 80s/early 90s, every speed skate session at my rink consisted of 2-3 songs. This song by Freddie Mercury and the gang was almost always in that playlist, and it’s still in mine to this day. This song was also the theme song for the movie Iron Eagle. We miss you, Freddie! One of the greatest vocalists to ever live.
8. Black Betty – Ram Jam
How can you not skate fast to some Ram Jam? At 120 beats per minute (BPM), this one is surely in the top 10 list. The lyrics may leave a lot to be desired, but honestly, we’re after a fast beat, a ripping guitar and something that will make you move! An oldie, but a goodie. This is a remake. If you want the real original from Leadbelly in 1939, check this out. For our fast skating purposes, though, we are going with Ram Jam’s version.
9. Firestarter – The Prodigy
As we get towards the bottom of our top 10 list, we start to allow some of the non-heavy metal hits to crack the list. Prodigy‘s Firestarter is one of the great speed skate songs not in the heavy metal category. It’s punk lyrics and relentless driving beat make it great music for working out on skates.
10. Mortal Kombat Theme Song – The Immortals
This song is quite popular today at most roller skating rinks that I have been at during the races / speed skate. It certainly deserves a place on the list.
11. Our Runner-Up: Wipeout – The Ventures
This one has been played at roller skating rinks during races and speed skate sessions for ages. With it’s classic, fast drum solo, it’s hard for this not to be included in our list. Also covered by The Surfaris in many skating rinks, we went with the original version.
What did I miss?
So, I’ve shared with you the top fast songs that are on my roller skating playlist. The ones that get my feet moving. What did I miss? What fast, uptempo songs do you have on your playlist that you can’t live without? Share below in the comments section, and thanks for reading!
Want to Learn More About Skating?
Want more reviews on roller skates? Check out my Best Roller Skates page for a list of all of the quad roller skates I recommend. I also have pages for roller skates for men, roller skates for women and roller skates for kids where I recommend the best skates on the market today. Or, check out my roller skates for beginners if you are completely new to roller skating.
Or, if rollerblades or inline skates are more your style, then check out my rollerblades for men, rollerblades for women or rollerblades for kids pages. Or, if you are completely new, check out my rollerblades for beginners page.
Metallica Fuel
Sammy Hagar Cant drive 55
Hi Tiffany! Thanks for the song selection. I do love Sammy Hagar and Metallica. I actually have some Metallica and Van Halen on my longer playlist. It just didn’t make my top 11. Nice recommendations, however!
Old time rock and roll!
Great song!
Bob Segar old time rock n roll
I love that song! Nice one, Sandy.
Sweet – The Ballroom Blitz –
I love that song! Nice pick.
Yeah Crue?
Always Crüe! 🙂
I would add No Good by The Prodigy, Turn me Loose by Loverboy and Long Way to the Top by ACDC.
Great picks. I definitely sport The Prodigy and plenty of ACDC on my skate playlist. Thanks for the recommendations, CJ. 🙂
Great article! At the rink where my son works, they like to play 404 by Knife Party for speed skating.
Oh! I like it, Heather. I’m going to add that one to my playlist. While I love my old 70s and 80s music, I do actually love some of the newer dance music out there (Calvin Harris, David Guetta, etc). Thanks for the recommendation and for rolling by.
I love a bit of rock and metal but the song that makes me want to skate, probably because was the style of the video, is Dirty Vegas – Days Go By!
Great site btw and loving the podcast!!
Wow! Thank you James so much for your kind words. And, that is a great song. Thanks for reminding us all of it!
Anything from Snow tha product, Iggy Azalea, Eminem, Ice Cube, Chanel West Coast or Ted Nugent.
Nice! I have some Ice Cub and Eminem in my playlist. Yes, I’m the real slim shady. 🙂
You missed iron maiden wasted years and Metallica seek and destroy. Always wanted those during practice.