Perfect for sports or driving! High-energy, fast-paced tracks that will get you pumped
When you’re driving, out for a run, or just want to get pumped up, you crave songs with a sense of speed, right?
They’re also essential for extreme sports like snowboarding and skateboarding.
But even if you say “up-tempo, energetic tracks,” a lot of people probably feel like, “It’s so hard to find them!”
So in this article, I’ll introduce songs with a exhilarating sense of speed that are perfect for a variety of situations.
Try listening while imagining which scenes they’d fit best.
- [For BGM or workouts] Fast-tempo, high-BPM songs
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- Theme songs from F1 and car races. Classic tracks that are also great for driving.
- [Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM!
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
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- [Mood-Boosting Japanese Music / J-POP] Sky-High Hype & Chill Lift! A Collection of Up-Tempo Classics
- A song by a rock band bursting with exhilarating energy and a sense of speed that you want to listen to in the summer.
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
- Hype to the max! Party songs recommended for the Yutori generation
Recommended for sports and driving! High-energy, fast-paced tracks that get you pumped (91–100)
BillikenCreepy Nuts
This is a track whose upbeat, forward-looking rap, riding a lively beat, makes your heart race.
Inspired by the Osaka deity said to bring good fortune through the soles of your feet, it’s a humor-filled work by Creepy Nuts that conveys their presence as rappers who usher in happiness.
DJ Matsunaga’s refined, Jersey club–style track is interwoven with R-Shitei’s skillful wordplay, drawing listeners in.
Released in October 2023, the song was featured in a commercial for the alcoholic beverage ZIMA, and its music video—shot in iconic Osaka locations like Tsutenkaku and Umeda—also made waves.
It’s the perfect song for moments when you want to turn anxious feelings into positive energy, or when you’re living through days so busy you can hardly catch your breath.
The Other selfGRANRODEO
A rousing anthem woven from passionate lyrics and a powerful rock sound.
It sings of the courage to take on challenges and the importance of believing in your inner strength, giving a push to everyone involved in basketball.
Released by GRANRODEO in October 2013, this motivational song was also chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the anime Kuroko’s Basketball and achieved the remarkable feat of reaching No.
2 on the Oricon daily chart.
Also included on the album Karma to Labyrinth, this track is sure to be a reliable ally for players working hard in practice and fans cheering from the courtside.
Recommended for sports or driving! High-energy, fast-paced tracks that will pump you up (101–110)
DriveWANIMA
Riding on a high-velocity, exhilarating sound, this gem of a rock number sings of the strength and resolve to keep moving forward.
The track WANIMA created portrays an attitude of accepting past failures and setbacks while using them as fuel to sprint into the future.
With straightforward feelings and down-to-earth words, the lyrics stand by those wrestling with doubt and anxiety, giving them a gentle push forward.
Released in May 2018, the song was written as the theme for the film OVER DRIVE, which opened in June of the same year, marking the band’s first movie tie-in.
It’s the perfect track for long drives, for times when you need to fire yourself up, or when you’re about to take a new step forward.
winding roadNovelbright
This song portrays growth and hope along the winding roads of life.
It serves as the theme for TV Tokyo’s Drama 9 series “Courtroom Dragon,” which tells the story of a protagonist who transitions from professional shogi player to lawyer, and it will be released in January 2025.
The lyrics were written by Novelbright’s vocalist, Yudai Takenaka, with composition by Takenaka and guitarist Kaito Yamada.
The track features grand melodies and a refreshing sound.
In the music video, directed by actor Hiroshi Tamaki, the band performs amid forests and vast natural landscapes, creating a striking impression.
It’s a song that gives courage to look ahead—perfect for young people unsure of their path and friends striving in new environments.
It’s also ideal for building excitement ahead of school sports festivals and athletic meets.
Soul RevolutionSuperfly
A rock number that shakes the soul, with powerful vocals and a breathtaking, fast-paced sound resonating throughout! Its compelling message—“Don’t fear adversity; awaken your instincts”—hits straight to the heart.
Written and composed by Shiho Ochi of Superfly and released in 2010, the track was used as NHK’s soccer theme that year, featuring in World Cup broadcasts, J.League coverage, and various other soccer programs.
This song instills the courage to venture into the unknown and the power to reinvent yourself.
It’s highly recommended for moments when you feel like your spirit might break during training or when you’re striving toward a big goal.
migratory bird[Alexandros]
![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O_DLtVuiqhI/sddefault.jpg)
A powerful track by [Alexandros] that rides a driving, exhilarating rock sound with a message of courage and challenge in pursuit of your dreams.
It vividly expresses the determination to push forward on the path you believe in, as well as the desire to connect with people’s hearts through music.
Released in March 2015, the song was chosen as the theme for the film “Akegarasu” and the ending theme for the TV program “Sakigake! Ongaku Banzuke ~EIGHT~,” and surpassed 100 million views on YouTube in August 2019.
It’s recommended not only when you need courage to move toward your dreams, but also as a boost to your motivation during workouts or strength training.
It’s Who We AreNulbarich
A sophisticated track that captures an urban scene starting from a lazy Sunday.
Nulbarich weaves together a groovy, light rhythm that resonates comfortably, blending a variety of genres like soul, funk, and R&B.
Featured on the EP “Who We Are,” released in May 2017, the song was also used as the web commercial track for Audio-Technica’s SOLID BASS wireless earphones, the ATH-CKS50TW.
The cutting guitar rhythm leaves a strong impression, and the lyrics, which mix English and Japanese, convey the small joys found in everyday life and the importance of taking it easy.
It’s a stylish, soothing tune that pairs perfectly with a weekend drive or a relaxing moment at a café.