Seven Songs Guaranteed To Put You In A Good Mood
When I pick a playlist to listen to, my mood plays a big part in my decision. If I’m feeling mellow or thoughtful, I have some chill playlists that put me at ease while I work. If I’m trying to work up my energy to work out I have plenty of loud, fast songs that I play at full volume.
Music is powerful, and it’s capable of bolstering my mood like nothing else. Of all the playlists I have, my favorites are the ones full of songs that just make me happy. I love finding new songs that make this happen, and my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify gives me some every week. Here are seven songs that are guaranteed to put you in a good mood.
1. “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco
I belt this song in the car as often as humanly possible, and the energy it gives me hasn’t changed since the first time I heard it.
“High Hopes” is about following- and achieving- your dreams, no matter how big they are and how much you might be struggling right now. It’s an empowering song that really will make you feel like you can do anything.
Brendan Urie’s voice, the catchy chorus, and the fast beat will keep this song in your head long after you’ve listened to it and keep you going for the rest of the day.
This song is pretty representative of the sound of the album as a whole, so if you like this song, be sure to check out the whole album! Other songs, like “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” are similarly uplifting.
2. “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra
How can you not smile at a song that’s literally about the sun shining? This song has also been in a lot of fun movies, so the nostalgia factor can make it even more pleasant.
Electric Light Orchestra somehow managed to combine electronic and orchestral music and turn it into rock music. Even more amazingly, it works. The group has an extremely unique sound, and the vibe of their music is as bright and happy as the lyrics to this song.
This is one of those songs that a lot of people know without knowing the artist behind it, but Electric Light Orchestra deserves all the credit for all the cool and different things they’ve done with music.
Some of their other fun songs include “Don’t Bring Me Down”, “The Diary of Horace Wimp”, and “Livin’ Thing”.
3. “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder
This is a song that tragically hasn’t been a big part of the renewed love of 80’s music. “Break My Stride” is about following your own path and not letting anything slow you down, and it really will make you feel unstoppable.
Fast, fun, and catchy, I’ve never once skipped this song when it comes up on my Spotify. It’s the ideal song to listen to if you’re ever doubting yourself, and if you like most 80’s music, this song is a must.
4. “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
People playing “Bohemian Rhapsody” to be ‘edgy’ has made it the most overplayed song maybe ever, and I honestly think Queen is overrated. As popular as they are, the majority of their music just doesn’t do it for me.
That being said, “Don’t Stop Me Now” is one of my favorites, and definitely a go-to when I’m looking for a song to improve my mood.
It’s fun with a unique sound, but not over the top the way a lot of the band’s music is. The lyrics are all about having fun and, essentially, not letting anyone kill the vibe, which is pretty easy to get behind.
Next time you want to listen to Queen, skip “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and put this song on instead.
5. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
A classic if there ever was one. But while some songs are overplayed to the point of being unenjoyable, we have yet to hit that point with “Don’t Stop Believin'”.
Whatever it is that you want, or whatever thought gives you hope, this song is about that. Finding love? The chance to start over? Moving to the city to chase your dream? This song is a message that all these things are within reach.
This song is fun to belt with a big group, but also great to listen to on your own when you have time to let the lyrics really sink in. It can never be played too many times, so make sure to blast it at your next party or just on your way to work.
6. “Stick to the Status Quo” by the High School Musical cast
This song has major nostalgia value. The High School Musical movies were a part of so many people’s childhoods, and the blast to the past alone is enough to brighten the day.
This song, in particular, is upbeat and heartwarming as kids dance around their school’s cafeteria revealing their deepest and darkest secrets- like playing a musical instrument or being good at baking. It’s as sweet as it is funny to think about these being people’s biggest problems.
The entire plot of these movies are also almost laughable to us now and can certainly remind us of a similar time. But even today’s youth would find Troy’s dilemma a little melodramatic; studies of current adolescent audiences show that kids are more accepting now than ever, and wouldn’t see a love of both basketball and singing to be a problem.
So whether it reminds you of the brightest moments of your own childhood, makes you grateful for the fact that you aren’t in high school anymore, or just makes you laugh, this song is the one to pull out from the depths of your memory next time you need something to make you smile.
7. “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder
This song is about the joys of music itself, and the energy and passion it brings make you feel Stevie Wonder’s love and happiness about what he does.
The sound and feel of the song are so fun in itself, that it wasn’t until several listens later that I even really listened to the lyrics. With a fast pace and some great horn interludes, the song is just aesthetically pleasing to listen to.
With the lyrics, “Sir Duke” becomes a wholesome and inclusive song. The opening verse declares that music is something “with an equal opportunity for all to sing, dance, and clap their hands”.
Upbeat and heartwarming, “Sir Duke” will, if nothing else, make you remember the little joys life has to offer, like listening to music.
Have any of these songs made you smile? What are your go-to songs that put you in a good mood? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image via @panicatthedisco on Instagram
