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.