Big thanks to Graywolf Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Ben Ratliff’s great new book Run the Song: Writing About Running About Listening. Also, I have to give big props to Ben Ratliff as well for providing a playlist of sorts of all the songs/albums that are referenced in this book. As I was reading, I was highlighting all the music I wasn’t familiar with because it sounded like some amazing sounds to check out. I have Ratliff’s Coltrane: The Story of a Sound on my to read list, and after reading this book, I’m hoping to get to it sooner. Ratliff’s book combines several of my own personal passions: reading, writing, and running, and since he is coming from a music journalist background, it was cool to read about his perspectives about running. When I read “running” books written by coaches or athletes, they are usually focused on strategies, methods, and training guidelines. I was wondering whether Ratliff’s book might be like Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, probably my favorite book about running since it is more meditative and reflective. Ratliff actually devotes about 2 chapters to writing about Murakami’s writing and running, and also wondering why Murakami, another writer who writes extensively about music, didn’t talk too much about running and music. For both writers, it seems like running is a time to enter a void like state, something Ratliff refers to from Murakami’s book. I’ve often felt the same way. I’ve found running as a way to put on headphones and think about events and incidents in my life, to work out ideas and problems, and to just enjoy being outside and moving. I haven’t read Murakami’s book for a while, but it was interesting to read Ratliff’s reaction.
Ratliff’s own running around the Bronx and Yonkers also resonated with my own running experience. I started running when I lived in Philadelphia, and I really enjoyed exploring the city’s different neighborhoods, parks, and trails in my runs. While I tended to follow similar routes, I also loved exploring new areas, pushing myself further, and seeing how far I could go. I was amazed to learn about all of the different types of music that Ratliff listens to while running, and especially to learn about running to John and Alice Coltrane’s music. In his sections discussing both Coltranes’ different albums, Ratliff explains how Coltrane’s later work was about pushing boundaries of songs—exploring and expanding, and Ratliff sometimes sees his running in this way. I love the music of both Alice and John Coltrane, but I typically don’t run to Jazz music. I usually reserve free Jazz for other activities, especially those involving reading. However, it was cool to see how Ratliff uses this music as a way to further his running and I think it speaks to the more introspective and observational aspects of his running, how running and listening to music allows him to possibly experience and kind of synesthesia, where he can combine his senses. He doesn’t directly say that, and this is just more my own speculation, but it is a really cool way of thinking about this kind of synthesis of perceptive inputs. However, it was interesting to think about running in new places. This is something I like to do when I travel—to scout out a new location to run and just see the city that way. I tried it on a trip to Chicago, and it was really cool to run along Lake Michigan and see a little of the different sights around the city. I’ve run several races in NY and had some opportunities to run around parts of Manhattan, and that is also a really cool experience. Again, it is a way to learn more about the place and kind of do a deep dive, but with a soundtrack. What’s interesting about Ratliff’s running is how he enjoys exploring the same area but always looking for something new. This is something that also resonated with me. There’s some canal trails not too far from me where I like to run in the spring and summer, and it is always cool to find new animals, plants, and just general scenery when I run. I particularly like when it’s early morning and the fog is slowly separating from the lake, gradually rising to the clouds. I’ll have to remember to take some other paths or work my way over onto other roads and possibly find some Coltrane or Eric Dolphy to guide me on the path of getting lost.
I also really enjoyed Ratliff’s focus on movement for both music and running and connecting dance and physical movement to music with running. This was something I hadn’t really considered before. I have incorporated more dance-type electronic music into my running more recently, and I feel like this kind of music does have a repetitive, propulsive beat that keeps me moving. When I first started running, all I would listen to was metal (death, grindcore, thrash, NWOBM, etc), punk, and hip-hop. I’ve gradually expanded my listening, and have incorporated more, but I loved reading about how Ratliff explores different types of music and their related movements to running. Again, this was different from typical running books that can focus on foot strike and gait, where Ratliff is more interested in the movement of expression as opposed to the efficiency of movement. It again shows how running can be a kind of emotional outlet or a kind of expression of gratitude for the ability to still move. It’s something that I need to remind myself about with running.
People run and write for different reasons. While there are running books and articles that tend to focus on mechanics and techniques of running, Ratliff’s book is unique in that it is more contemplative and meditative. It’s not quite a journal, but it is a highly personal look inside Ratliff’s own running practice, learning about how running has helped him listen, which has further fueled his writing process. Although he may not realize it, Ratliff’s book has helped me consider some new techniques for running and especially for listening. While some runners I know have argued against listening to music while they run, I cannot imagine running without headphones or a soundtrack. Ratliff has given me some new ideas and music to consider as a running soundtrack. Furthermore, he has provided some insights into how running can enhance listening and thought. This was such a great book, and I loved the short chapters that tended to focus on artists, music, and places to run. In particular, I’m grateful to Ratliff for introducing some awesome new music to me. I always appreciate these books about music that send me in new directions. I am really excited to get some Arsenio Rodriguez records and learn more about tres musicians. I checked out some of his music online, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard of him. That chapter that linked Rodriguez, Thelonius Monk, and Elmo Hope, who I think had some connection with Coltrane, was one of my favorite chapters. I feel like there was some documentary that talked a lot about Elmo Hope. I can’t remember the connection, but reading Ratliff’s book made me want to check out Elmo Hope’s music, even if his recordings are limited. It was so cool the way he linked the neighborhood that connected them to his running exploration, and found a way to weave together their music as well. Ratliff does this with some other artists, musical styles, and places as well, and this kind of interweaving and connection was fascinating and interesting to read. A highly recommended book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Graywolf Press for an advance copy of this book on music, mindfulness, and running, and how one person was able to find a balance in these three, making him feel better, making him deal with the world better, and returning to him something he thought lost, his love of songs.

To quote The Kinks " I am not the world's most physical guy." I played little league for one year, that was enough. Gym in school when I had to and that was enough. A few years before the pandemic I found myself with a bunch of work mates going to an indoor adventure ropes course, with ziplines. And I loved it. So much so I didn't want to leave, and began making the trip myself just to run around, climb things, and zipline. I found this cleared my head alot, I felt that everything seemed crisper, sharper, food better, books more interesting, and music more important. This like many things in life has fallen away. In fact I have not thought of this at all in a few years, but it came back to me while reading this book, something I did not expect. And something I am trying to figure how to do again. Run the Song: Writing About Running About Listening by music critic and historian Ben Ratliff is a portrait of a man at a loss finding new meaning in his life, his love of music, and in his city, all while running not from something but to something much better.

The book begins with a city of ruin, a pandemic with FEMA building fences, masks being worn, and a lot of free time that has to be filled by running. Ratliff was at a time in his life where music wasn't that important to him, which as a professional music critic, could be a problem. Running was something he was enjoying something he could do by himself, and something that allowed him to focus on things, like music, and like Madonna, found that he was touched by the music almost for the very first time. The pounding of feet, the physical motion made music suddenly important. To focus on, and to hear things that were always there but had been ignored. Beats. Meaning. Anger. Tunes that suddenly made sense, or not. In a time where everything is product and everything, including criticisms can be monetized, Ratliff began to remember why he loved music. From discovering Alice Coltrane, investigating different cultures music. Punk music. All directed into the ears, over the slap of feet on sidewalk, breathing heavy, but discovering an ability to heed what he was hearing.

This is the second book I have read about running and and the arts, something that should not go together so well, but does. As with the Haruki Murakami book on training for marathons, the writing is quite good, and makes running seem not just healthy but vital to both men. Ratliff sets the scene carefully, never coming out about when this book was started, but the signs are all clear. One can sense the ennui, the way does anything matter anymore, one that has returned to us in January once again. I have read a few books by Ratliff on jazz, but this was a book that was much bigger and broader. This is about the hearing music, and by hearing music, maybe a familiar song, but really giving it one's attention, how life changing, maybe life affirming this can be. Ratliff writes very well, making every song sound interesting, and vital. One will be writing down artists and titles constantly, or trying to track them on Spotify. Though I am sure Ratliff would say, find your own music, find what helps and maybe even heals you. One person's noise, is another person's anthem, find your anthem.

I really enjoyed this book. As I wrote this reminded me of good times, that maybe I can never go back to. However if nothing else I have a lot of new songs to listen to, and something to help with these days coming. Maybe not running, but something new. To add a skip to the step, and song to the heart.

Run the Song is a fascinating blend of music, movement, and self-discovery, written by a music critic who trades his desk for the running trail. Ben Ratliff takes readers on a unique journey as he runs through the Bronx and beyond, using motion to deepen his understanding of music. From jazz to punk, soul to string quartets, his playlists are as varied as the paths he treads.

This book feels like a conversation with a friend who’s passionate about both running and music, inviting you to see—and hear—the world differently. It’s an introspective and refreshing take on how movement can shape how we connect with sound.