Generating a preferred media playlist based on a determined activity type. A media item is played from a media library. A computing device collects metadata regarding the played media item. The computing device receives sensor data from one or more sensors. The computing device determines an activity type based upon the received sensor data. The computing device generates a media item record comprising a media item identification for the media item, the metadata collected regarding the played media item, and the determined activity type. The media item records are ranked based upon the metadata regarding the played media and the determined activity type. The computing device generates a preferred media playlist comprising a plurality of generated media item records ranked highest.