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k.ben's Mellow Run Mix

When she lived in Brooklyn, k.ben says, this was her running playlist.

It got me from my apartment to Prospect Park, around the 3 mile loop, and back. It is evidence of the fact that I run a pretty mellow pace (between a 10 and an 11-minute mile); and it is evidence most of all of the fact that I have no idea what the kids are listening to. (Does anyone even know who Bill Withers is anymore?) But it's very listenable, in sort of an easy listening way, I admit. The last few songs, from Bill Withers on, were nice when I'd not want to run home and I'd just walk, or when i'd have time for a little stretching and yoga after. Sun salutations to Lovely Day are AWESOME.

Her full liner notes, and two extra tracks (too cool for playlist.com) after the jump. 

1. "As," Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder is light. He is love. And he is the best of Motown, which is one of the best eras. This song is like the perfect embodiment of why he makes people so happy. Mellow at the top, very groovy at the end. And the words... "Did you know that true love asks for nothing/ Her acceptance is the way we pay"... "Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love"... awesome. So awesome. 
2. "The Obvious Child," Paul Simon. Did Paul Simon really beat up Edie Brickell? I try not to think about that, and instead focus on the fact that this is a really fun song to dance around to and make food to and be in a car driving to, and to even run to. 
3. "Pata Pata," Miriam Makeba. If you've spent anytime in South Africa you know Miriam Makeba. She was married to an amazing jazz musician and was so talented that it hurt. And this song is her fun party song. You don't have to be in Johannesburg to feel it. 
4. "Parantheses," The Blow. Nothing in a deli aisle has ever made me cry, but I imagine should that occur I would want this really cute girl to escort me to the parking lot.
5. "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb," Spoon I love Spoon. Just do. 
6. "Fear Of Sleep," The Strokes I think I really liked this song after the movie the Science of Sleep came out. It was part of that era of movie whereby the soundtrack was more captivating than the film (Science of Sleep, Marie Antoinette, etc...). This is where my pace picks up. Maybe because I'm pretending to be flirting with Fabrizio.
7. "Break my Heart," The Kelly Affair. Okay. So this band is named for the Kelly Affair that appears in Faster Pussycat Kill Kill Kill. Um, yes, that is badass for a girl punk pop trio. And the drummer/singer Amanda is a former coworker of mine who is a hot redhead who plays badass music and reports on the arcane world of hedge funds by day. Yes, she is smart. Yes, she is sexy. And yes, she rules. And I like this song. 
8. "Temptation," New Order. I listened to a lot of New Order in high school. This song helps me pick up the pace because I can pretend to run away from my adolescence. 
9. "Debaser," Pixies. I'm cresting up that last bad hill on the Prospect Park loop, on the home stretch. I'm not feeling so groovy, I want you to know. 
10. "Another Star," Stevie Wonder. This beat is so alive. You can start a conga line to it, do a Flashdance style solo, or kick it while jogging out of the park and toward home. "For you, there may be another star/ But through my eyes the light of you it's all I see" 
11. "Lovely Day 4:12," Bill Withers. Maybe I'm on the hill home, maybe I stopped to do some sun salutations in the park. Maybe it's just that beautiful a day. This is how good exercise should make you feel... and amazing food... and great sex... and being in love... and waking up from a perfect night's sleep... etc., etc., etc.
12. "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," Lauryn Hill. Does anyone remember her? This cover is so good. And it's great vinyasa music. I like to end a run with some sun salutations, and then a series of vinyasa flow moves that incorporate Warrior 1, 2, Peaceful warrior, triangle... Eagle, warrior 3... 
13. "Please Don't Go," Stevie Wonder. Stretching, headstand, quiet.