Try my 'walking playlist' for your next afternoon stroll

To benefit those of us who are aging reluctantly, many experts recommend the simple exercise of walking every day. No speed drills, no huffy-puffy, no exhausted knees, just one foot in front of the other, step after iPhone Health app step.

But, while most agree this is sage advice, there’s one little problem: Walking is boring. Really boring. Last-five-minutes-of-“Hey-Jude” boring.

Sightseeing can fill some of the gap but after expelling a few oohs and ahhs, even the most avid sightseer can run out of enthusiasm for the desert’s legendary landscape.

What to do?

Fortunately, there’s a solution: Music!

Plug into your music playlist, find a beat you like and fill your head with music and start walking. Ah, but what kind of music? Today there are more choices than time to enjoy them so be picky.

You could go for Baroque with a little Bach, who may be the speed limit of music (thank you, Albert Schweitzer) and is as jaunty as all get-out but there are so many other choices available at the speed of downloading.

Here’s mine:

• “Kiss Me More.” Last year’s Grammy for Best Record features rapid-fire SZA and our fave Doja Cat. You may never think of a kissing booth in the same way again.
• “No Angels” by Justin Timberlake who, in true fashion to his brand, keeps the song going long after you think it’s over.
• “Words With You” by Chromeo, Canada’s contribution to pop culture and masters of syncopation.
• “Skeletons” by Hard Life, nee Easy Life, the very essence of Brit working-class pop. Kia liked it so much they rode with it all last season in its ads.
• “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Beyonce’s stab at the C&W playlist, dead shot with a great piano bar at the end.
• “Beach Boy” by Benee, a summer-song that should last until Christmas.
• “Espresso” Sabrina Carpenter’s ubiquitous hit I can never get enough of. The lyrics are too much fun.
• “Birds of a Feather” by Finneas and Billie Eilish, the song chosen to represent Los Angeles in the Closing Ceremonies of the fab Paris Olympics… can LA ever match that?
• “Stop in the Name of Love” by Gloria Gaynor who apparently has survived quite well with this clever cover of the Supremes’ big hit.
• “Done For Me” by Charlie Puth, TikTok’s brightest and busiest writer and producer, who wonders if his ex was really all that special.
• “Summer Baby,” how the Jonas Brothers stay atop the charts with unexpected choruses.
• “Blame” by Great Good Fine Ok, as complex as hit songs should ever get. And as melodic.
• “Mood Swings” by Teezo Touchdown, a confection that melts (like ice cream).
• “Skate” by Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak, as close to disco perfection as The O’jays ever got.
• And, finally, to close the walk, Max’s great hit “Strings” which should be on everyone’s playlist even if you never go outside.

Too much pop music for you? Hey, it’s called pop for a reason; it’s very popular. Don’t begrudge these songs for their diversity, inclusion and happy beats. Just keep walking.

Stewart Weiner is the publisher of the book, “RadioEYES: Great Rock Lyrics Set to Art.” He can be reached at radioeyesstewart@gmail.com .

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Try my 'walking playlist' for your next afternoon stroll