All of the good stuff shares a border with pain. I’m not talking about pinched nipples, although come to think of it that’s not a bad example.

No, what I’m talking about are the things that make us grow: breakups, existential crises, books that are way over our heads, art and music that’s even further above our heads, struggling through problems both practical and academic.Suffer through Moby Dick at least once in your life. You might not like it, but when you’re through you’ll know you’ve accomplished something.

Bodies are a little different. When your spandex-clad trainer tells you to push through the pain, he or she is talking about the uncomfortable border separating you from the good stuff we call cardio fitness, weight loss, bone density, and muscle tone. “Push through the pain” never means “ignore injury,” and if Trainer Chad says otherwise he’s an asshole.

The trick is to embrace the pain. Your body, soul, and mind are capable of much more than you think they are. Growth hurts, so you might as well enjoy it.

Anyway, pain songs:

“Taste the Pain,” Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“House Of Pain,” Van Halen.

“I Don’t Mind the Pain,” Danzig.

“Ordinary Pain,” Stevie Wonder.

“Pain and Pleasure,” Judas Priest.

“The Pleasure and the Pain,” The Damned.

“World Of Pain,” Cream.

“Send the Pain Below,” Chevelle.

There you have it: Eight songs for the pain train. What am I missing? I’m listening.