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Down in the dumps? We all have those bad days and, sometimes, all we need are a couple feel-good tunes to brighten our moods. Afterall, there’s a reason why music is considered the food of the soul. From songs like “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “Dancing Queen” that are scientifically proven to boost your mood to uplifting tunes from Bruno Mars, Lizzo and Beyoncé, these feel good songs will instantly lift your spirits and turn your day around.
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
Anyone who says this song doesn’t boost their spirits is probably lying considering it’s scientifically proven to be the most uplifting song ever.
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
Put on your dancing shoes because it’s time to get funky with this upbeat track from Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson.
“Hey Ya!” by OutKast
This popular OutKast hit features a fun melody that will make you shake it like a Polaroid picture.
“Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
Imagine driving by the shore, wind in your hair, as “Watermelon Sugar” blares from your speakers. Nuff said.
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
If you don’t start bopping your head to the beat of this catchy feel-good song, you’re doing it wrong. Start bopping.
“Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Ever found internal peace? Listen to the opening of this song and I promise you’ll feel something close to it. I mean, come on. This song is the epitome of everything pure in the world.
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
If there’s anyone who’s a bonafide pro at shaking off the haters, it’s Taylor Swift. Whenever someone has you feeling down, shake it off to this sick beat.
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
This is for all you ABBA lovers out there. Jam out to this killer track whenever you want to let loose and forget about the world for a couple of minutes.
“Africa” by TOTO
If this little gem suddenly plays as you hit major rush hour traffic, you probably won’t even notice. You’ll be too busy singing “I bless the rains down in Africa / Gonna take some time to do the things we never had.”
“Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees
If you play this as you walk from your front door to your mailbox, you’re guaranteed to start strutting like Danny Zuko.
“Float On” by Modest Mouse
Need a pick-me-up? Crank up this uplifting number for some positive vibes.
“Valerie” by Mark Ronson with Amy Winehouse
Glee anybody? If you don’t instantly picture Glee when you hear this song, then you probably because you haven’t binged Glee recently… and, well, yeah.
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
“Take Me Home, Country Roads”: Boosting people’s moods since 1971. I mean, how many times have you started humming the melody to this mood booster out of the blue?
“Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine
It’s time to turn a new leaf because the dog days are over.
“See You Again” by Miley Cyrus
I dare you to listen to this 2007 banger and not sing-along. You only get a free pass if you never learned the lyrics, didn’t watch Disney or happened to bypass the Hannah Montana craze.
“On Top Of The World” by Imagine Dragons
Start your day right by jamming out to this inspirational hit. A quick warning, you may come to regret making this your morning wake-up tune if you’re not a morning person.
“Nancy Mulligan” by Ed Sheeran
Only Ed Sheeran can write a catchy and captivating tune that recounts his grandparent’s great love story and turns religion into a four-syllable word and make it work.
“I’m Like A Bird” by Nelly Furtado
Fly into the sunset with Nelly Furtado’s iconic debut single.
“September Song” by JP Cooper
Kick back and relax because you’re about to unwind and de-stress with JP Cooper’s soothing track.
“The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars was not messing around when he made the ultimate lazy day anthem.
“Take on Me” by a-ha
A-ha’s 80s smash hit is almost guaranteed to put some pep in your step with that catchy intro.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
The name of the song is “Walking on Sunshine.” With a name like that, you know you’ll be walking on sunshine as soon as that riff hits.
“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
Close your eyes and bast in the sunny rays of this timeless song. It’s bound to instantly brighten your day.
“Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae
If you’re looking for the perfect song to unwind to during those warm summer nights, you’re looking right at it.
“Love on Top” by Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s insane range changes and runs will draw out your inner dancer and have you singing (or shouting) the lyrics along with her.
“Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra
A classic mood-elevating song that will change the course of your day by lifting your spirits.
“Beautiful Day” by U2
You’re about to have a beautiful day with this feel-good hit.
“Good as Hell” by Lizzo
You feeling down in the dumps right now? Queue up Lizzo. By the time the song is through, you’ll be feeling good as hell.
“22” by Taylor Swift
No matter your age, once that chorus hits, you’ll be dancing and shouting the lyrics like you’re 22.
“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
The song that launched One Direction to stardom is almost guaranteed to draw out a smile, even if you don’t show it outwardly. It’s all about the internal mojo. I don’t know what I’m saying… moving on.
“Party In The U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
By the end of this song, you’ll be noddin’ your head like, yeah, and movin’ your hips like, yeah. There’s no escaping your fate when it comes to partying in the U.S.A.
“I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
Sometimes you have to listen to your gut and know, deep down, that tonight’s going to be a good night. If your gut is saying otherwise, just play “I Gotta Feeling” and nip your gut’s bad advice in the bud. Unless it’s actually good advice, then you might want to go with your gut.
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
It’s Natasha Bedingfield. Need I say more? “Unwritten” is like that first drop of sunshine as winter fades into spring.
“Kiwi” by Harry Styles
“Kiwi”, “Cherry”, “Watermelon Sugar”… I’m starting to see a correlation.
“Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man
Are you a rebel just for kicks?
“2002” by Anne-Marie
The catchy beat will have its hooks in you faster than you can say 2002. You might even start snapping along.
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
Getting ready for a night of fun (ie. 13 Going on 30 style)? Then you’ll want to add this to your queue.
“Drive By” by Train
Train is perfect for anyone who needs a little pick-me-up.
“Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON
Shout “yea” if “Shut Up and Dance” ever irritated you when it suddenly blasted through your speakers for the third time in a single commute. It’s okay if it did. It happens to the best of us. But honestly, this is such a lighthearted fun bop and it’s catchy as hell.
“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
My sister went through a phase where she would listen to this song on repeat 24/7. She even made a dance that I still have memorized for the most part. Yes, she was obsessed.
“New Romantics” by Taylor Swift
Once this song starts playing, you won’t be able to hold back a smile.
“Livin’ la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
Shrek anyone? This fun upbeat track from Ricky Martin will have you partyin’ like it’s 1999 and instantly lift your spirits.
“High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco
For a positive message that will push you to go after your dreams, no matter the obstacles you face, Panic! At The Disco has your back.
“Best Day Of My Life” by American Authors
Play this as you’re drinking your morning cup of coffee, mentally reaffirm that this will be the best day of your life and let the self-fulfilling prophecy work its magic.
“Thrift Shop” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Wanz
Just a chill song about thrift shopping and popping some tags. What more can you ask for?
“Roar” by Katy Perry
It’s time to let loose your inner roar! Katy Perry’s heartening lyrics and entertaining music video will instantly brighten your day.
“I Love Me” by Demi Lovato
Turn up the good vibes with this mood-boosting song from Demi Lovato. Once you hear Demi’s positive message, you won’t be able to stop yourself from smiling along with her.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Live in the moment. Don’t stress the small things. And play this song. Jason Mraz’s ukulele instills a serene ambiance that you’ll have trouble finding elsewhere.
“Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams will have you reminiscing about the summer of ‘69 even if you were too young to remember it or still had yet to be born.
“Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
Everyone has a song that signifies the start of summer. For me, it’s “Pocketful of Sunshine.”
“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty
You know what needs to be done… belt it out. Scream it at the top of your lungs.
“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
During your next joyride, open your windows, crank up the radio and lose yourself in the beautiful lyrics as you Viva la Vida.
“Don’t Give Up On Me” by Andy Grammer
This song can go one of two ways: 1) You won’t think about Six Feet Apart or 2) You will think about Six Feet Apart.
“The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey
A fun bop with a snappy beat that will take you down a road of positivity before it drops you off on a one-way stop into Happyville.
“Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
There’s something about this song that grabs you, maybe it’s the ho hey repetition or the way sweetheart is drawn out… I don’t really know. But I love it.
“All Star” by Smash Mouth
If you don’t instantly think of Shrek when you hear “All Star” then something weird is going on because, I mean, how can you not?!
“More Than a Feeling” by Boston
Are you ready to listen to this goodie that is bound to incite many feelings?
“Hey, Soul Sister” by Train
You won’t be able to stop yourself from singing along to these catchy lyrics.
“Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
Would you say life is a highway?
“Firework” by Katy Perry
Even if you’ve never felt like a plastic bag drifting through the wind, it’s still nice to be told that you’re a firework.
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
If you haven’t had the chance to sing this song, now is the time. And don’t hold back. Belt out those lyrics like it’s nobody’s business. You’ll feel 100 times better after.
“Best Song Ever” by One Direction
You might want to do a quick pre-warm up because you’re about to get sucked into One Direction’s “Best Song Ever” and it’ll make you want to move your feet to the beat.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
This list would not be complete without a smash hit from Whitney Houston.
“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira
There’s no way you won’t find yourself in a good mood by the time Shakira reaches the final note.
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Happy. Ah. What fond memories this song brings to the surface. If only a project of mine didn’t call for me to listen to it (what felt like) every day for a month. I reached a point where “Happy” made me very unhappy. But even so, if you’re feeling down, Pharrell has your back with this feel-good tune.
“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira
Once that riff hits, you’ll be itching to shake your hips. A great song to listen to when you’ve been stuck inside all day and need to move.
“Good Life” by OneRepublic
When you need a reminder of the good times to come, listen to this encouraging song.
“Happy Together” by The Turtles
You won’t be able to get this memorable beat out of your head and you’ll probably end up humming during the most random moments.
“Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall
If you need a little pick-me-up to open your eyes to how wonderful you are, play “Suddenly I See.”
“The Best Day Ever” by Spongebob Squarepants
Well, let’s finish this list off with a bang.
For more uplifting content, check out these funny life quotes.