Staff Picks #3: Energy

Summer has been arriving a little late in some countries this year, but members of our English team have put together a list of songs that make them want to move, or that embody the theme of "energy", to get you fired up to face the heat.

What songs do you turn on when you need an energy boost? Let us know in a comment at the bottom.

Christine
MO'SOME TONEBENDER - ElectBoys Right from the start, you can tell that this song was written to get a crowd moving and sweating. Everything about it feels loud and hot; like you’re surrounded by hundreds of people jumping up and down.	Yellow Studs - Rock Your Body This song always puts a little extra bounce in my step when I'm commuting. It’s catchy and upbeat, but Taichi's vocals and the guitar give it just enough roughness.	METAL SAFARI - Return to My Blood I love rollerblading to metal around this time of the year, and this is the type of song that’s great to get yourself ready to do something physical. There’s just so much raw energy in the screams.	MAXIMUM THE HORMONE - Rock ’n’ Roll Chainsaw This song bounces around a lot in style and tempo, like most of their work, but there’s not one part of it that doesn’t make me smile and want to sing and dance along.
Claire
The Birthday - Ookami no nodo I remember hearing this as the opening to the anime "Zombie Loan" and was immediately struck by its pounding energy and Chiba Yusuke's incredible, raspy voice. It's a really great song, with so much going on all at once.	MIYAVI - Jikoshijou shugisha no nare no hate This track is a great album closer and full of real passion. MIYAVI's truly energetic performance both vocally and on guitar are really stunning. Once the song is over, there's a definite sense of ending, as the silence that follows feels strangely out of place.	MUCC - FUZZ I was lucky enough to hear this fantastic song performed live and the energy in the room was amazing. The unusual combination of harmonica and electric double bass coupled with a pounding drumbeat and pre-chorus hook that's fun to join in with really make this an enjoyable song.	Alice Nine - RAINBOWS I loved this song from the very first time I heard it. It's driven by a lively riff and strong beat, and you can't help but move when you hear it. Its PV is also really colourful and full of energy.
Teresa
Abe Mao - Deadline The kind of song that paralyzes you with its sheer power. Don't mess with Mao, guys. Really.	Tokyo Jihen - Killer Tune My ultimate pick-me-up. Can't help but feel happy with this ray of sunshine.	androp - You Imagine not being in the same place as someone you admire or love and you're running, stumbling, trying to catch up with them. Multiply that feeling by 100.	ONE OK ROCK - Mikansei Koukyoukyoku Even when giving doses of reality, they always inspire a gung-ho attitude about life. A must-have on my running playlist.
Tomo
LUNA SEA - The End of the Dream This song could wake you up from hibernation, and even revitalize you to chase your goal or a long-forgotten dream. Its passion is just so relentless that it can make you want to rise up to make your life what it's meant to be.	BUCK-TICK - Tenshi wa dare da A frenzied, dirty, danceable, and catchy number from BUCK-TICK. Everyone goes crazy when this song is played during a live.	Kalafina - Ongaku The live version of this song is definitely the best. You can enjoy the magnificent choruses of Kalafina and the energy exploding out of the venue, especially during the guitar solo.	GANGLION - OVER THIS WALL A song about the spirit to overcome the odds by a young, talented all-girl hard rock band. There is strong chemistry between the powerful twin guitar riffs and the husky voice of vocalist oni.

Do any of these songs sound appealing to you? If so, head over to our Youtube playlist to give them a try.

Please note that only videos from official sources are included, so some may be missing.