15 Mood-Boosting Songs To Add To Your Playlist
One of the most essential things to have in your music collection is a playlist of mood-boosting songs. You might already have a playlist like this, but it’s always a good idea to keep adding new songs to it, so you don’t grow bored of your music. Even if you prefer to listen to one particular genre, songs that correlate to a specific mood often appeal to a wide variety of people. As such, this list includes artists from genres such as indie, alternative, dream-pop, and classic rock!
1. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Machine
Florence + the Machine has music for pretty much any mood, but if you’re looking for a song that’ll cheer you up, “Dog Days Are Over” will do just that! This song was released all the way back in 2009 with the band’s first full-length album, Lungs. Despite being a decade old, this song still holds up as being one of the most lighthearted, whimsical, and mood-boosting songs ever. No matter what genre of music you prefer, you’ll probably adore this song and band, since it’s difficult to categorize them into a single genre.
2. “Dance Yrself Clean” by LCD Soundsystem
One of the most recognizable indie songs of 2010 is “Dance Yrself Clean.” If you were in middle school or high school at this time, you might remember this song being played at every school dance… ever. Regardless, it’s still a fun and upbeat song to listen to, and it’ll probably provide you with a good amount of nostalgia, too!
3. “Myth” by Beach House
If you’re a fan of the dream-pop genre, then you’re probably well-acquainted with Beach House. Even if you don’t regularly listen to this genre, you should definitely give Beach House a try, since their unique sound should appeal to just about anyone. One of their most popular songs is “Myth”, which also happens to be one of their best mood-boosting songs. Between the strong vocals, the poetic lyrics, and the sanguine instrumentals, you’re pretty much guaranteed to fall in this song before it even reaches the chorus.
4. “We Are Fine” by Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten is a singer-songwriter known for amazing songs like “Every Time the Sun Comes Up”, “Our Love”, and “We Are Fine.” She has a beautiful voice, which is backed by pleasant and understated instrumentals. If you’re looking for a song that will serve as something of a mantra, “We Are Fine” will be perfect. It’s relatable, sincere, and catchy.
5. “Kids” by MGMT
“Kids” is another great throwback. This song was released in 2007 on the album Oracular Spectacular, which remains one of the most notable neo-psychedelia albums of that decade. Even in 2019, this album is still streamed quite a lot. “Kids” is upbeat and nostalgic, and it’ll be a great addition to your collection of happy songs.
6. “Float On” by Modest Mouse
Released in 2004, “Float On” is one of the oldest indie songs on this list. Despite this, you probably still hear this song on the radio today, since it’s never really lost its popularity. It’s a fun and relatable song with a resonating chorus that reminds us “we’ll all float on okay.” If you aren’t familiar with this song, you’ll need to give it a listen!
7. “You Make Loving Fun” by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac has all sorts of mood-boosting songs, and “You Make Loving Fun” is only one of them. It’s a beautiful song that reflects on love, and you’re bound to enjoy it, even if you don’t typically like love songs. This song gets better and better as it goes on, and once it’s over, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to play it again.
8. “Walk in the Park” by Beach House
Another fantastic and uplifting song by Beach House is “Walk in the Park.” Even though this song is over five minutes long, it hardly feels like it, since it’s so dynamic and upbeat. At first, the lyrics don’t seem particularly happy, but as the song goes on, they reflect a level of transformation and self-reflection that should resonate with a lot of listeners.
9. “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum
“Spirit in the Sky” is arguably one of the most recognizable mood-boosting songs from the late 60s. There’s nothing quite like this upbeat and catchy song; from the very first few seconds, it’s engaging and nostalgic. Even if you don’t recognize the name of this song, you’ve probably heard it at one point or another. Regardless, you should definitely give it a listen!
10. “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
“Go Your Own Way” is another amazing song by Fleetwood Mac that’ll definitely inspire a good mood. Released in the mid-70s on the acclaimed album Rumours, it’s an uplifting and buoyant song that all sorts of listeners will enjoy.
11. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
One of Pink Floyd’s most recognizable songs is “Wish You Were Here.” Unlike many of the other songs on this list, this song isn’t necessarily upbeat or happy. Still, it’s an incredibly cathartic song to listen to. You might find yourself relating to the subject matter, which can then make you feel connected to the song.
12. “Sleep on the Floor” by The Lumineers
“Sleep on the Floor” is a fairly new song; it was released in 2016 on the popular album Cleopatra. If you’re looking for an indie-folk song that’s emotional, restoring, and even inspirational, then you need to give this song a listen.
13. “Shake it Out” by Florence + the Machine
“Shake it Out” is another song by Florence + the Machine that’s absolutely perfect for anyone in need of a mood boost. Between the resonating vocals, the heartfelt lyrics, and the reverberating instruments, this song is catharsis at its finest.
14. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve
If you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, “Bitter Sweet Symphony” will probably be a super nostalgic song for you. Even today, it’s still played on the radio all the time, which definitely isn’t a bad thing. The lyrics of this song talk about the harsh realities of life, which contribute to — you guessed it — a “bittersweet symphony” of life.
15. “Heroes” by David Bowie
Decades later, “Heroes” is still a popular and beloved song. It’s been featured in all sorts of movies and television shows, which has helped to keep the song relevant among younger generations. As you probably already know, “Heroes” is one of the happiest and most effective mood-boosting songs out there. Do yourself a favor and go have a listen.
