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Rain on your wedding day? A free ride when you’ve already paid? Sometimes you’re just having one of those days (and there’s been a lot of them lately). Need a pick-me-up? These songs are guaranteed to lift your mood. (You’ll like them even if you’re already feeling good, too.)
“Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna
This single may be over 10 years old, but it never fails to get the heart racing and the body pumping.
“Run the Word (Girls)” by Beyoncé
Any time those feelings of imposter syndrome come, turn this on for an instant confidence boost.
“i” by Kendrick Lamar
Having a bad day? This Kendrick Lamar banger is the go-to song for anyone who needs a little bit of positivity and self-love.
“Starships” by Nicki Minaj
You can’t fail with Nicki.
“Before I Let Go” by Frankie Beverly and Maze
You haven’t heard a feel good song until you’ve listened to this. Trust me, this is the go-to staple at cookouts, weddings, and more. Happy listening.
“Positive Vibrations” by Bob Marley
Reggae legend Bob Marley comes through with a simple yet powerful message about adopting a positive mindset in the midst of negativity.
Can confirm A-ha’s “Take On Me” is the antidote for any rainy day blues, whether you blast it on a speaker or perform the Just Dance 3 routine.
“Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige
It’s impossible to sit still whenever you hear this song. Like Mary J. Blige in the video, you’ll be dancing for four minutes straight. Don’t forget your knee-high boots and fur coat!
“Hallucinate” by Dua Lipa
Or any other song on Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia album.
“Sweet Thing” by Rufus and Chaka Khan
One of the most memorable scenes in Love and Basketball is the moment young Quincy and Monica become an item as “Sweet Thing” plays faintly in the background. The teens’ first kiss will make your heart flutter, but it’s Chaka Khan’s rich vocals that make the scene all the sweeter.
Insecurities, self-doubt, anxiety: exist.
Lizzo: Say no more.
“Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae
This song couldn’t make you feel bad if it tried. Think sidewalk double-dutch and road-side bars: It’s the epitome of summer fun.
Mamma Mia! fans, this one’s for you. Pretend you’re living in 1976 and dance the night away. Suddenly life is good again!
“Good Life” by Kanye West feat. T-Pain
Jamming to this will make you feel grateful for all those good moments in your life.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
This sunny ’80s track by Katrina & The Waves captures just how good falling in love can feel. And it really does make you feel like your footsteps are illuminated by the sun.
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
You’ve probably blasted this song at full volume at least once—it has a special kind of world-changing optimism.
“Love on Top” by Beyoncé
“Love on Top” has one of the most infectious melodies of the last decade. If Beyoncé’s voice (and those key changes) don’t get you up on your feet, nothing will.
Live your life like it’s golden. Because it is!
“Boy With Luv” by BTS ft. Halsey
Nothing like a BTS bop to get you feeling good. Let K-Pop’s biggest boy band sensation—with an assist from Halsey—take you there.
Okay, so maybe your 9 to 5 sucks. Luckily, Dolly Parton is here to get you through it.
“Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams
High on love? Try this synth-filled pop track by Deniece Williams to echo how giddy that’s making you feel.
“Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall
“Suddenly I See” describes the moment in KT Tunstall’s youth when a photograph of Patti Smith made her realize she wanted to be a musician. The more you know!
“I’m Like a Bird” by Nelly Furtado
Let your spirit soar like Nelly Furtado’s debut hit. She can’t be held down, and neither can you.
“Love Song” by Sara Bareilles
“I’ma need a better reason / To write you a love song”: Piano-playing songstress Sara Bareilles got meta with “Love Song,” which has heartbreaking lyrics but major-key hopefulness.
“Ironic” by Alanis Morisette
“Ironic” is full of bad scenarios, but when you scream along with that famous chorus? Only good feelings, baby.
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
If you’re after a more chill vibe, Bill Withers made you just the thing back in 1977. Who could argue with him? It is a lovely day.
Before she was a publishing titan on Younger, Hilary Duff and her bangs lifted our spirits with irrepressible DGAF anthems like this one. Where’ve you heard it before? The Lizzie McGuire Movie, obviously.
“Groove Is in the Heart” by Dee-Lite
Okay, disco! Try not to get caught in this groove.
“Come On Over (All I Want Is You)” by Christina Aguilera
Come over here, baby! Christina’s feeling good, and she wants you to feel it too.
If you’re not sure you can make it through heartbreak, press play on the auto-tuned purring of the one and only Cher. If she thinks you can, you’re golden.
It’s all in the title! Clap along.
“That’s the Way It Is” by Céline Dion
You could probably get through anything if Celine was your cheerleader.
“Rocketeer” by Far East Movement feat. Ryan Tedder
Like the lyrics suggest, listening to this 2010 hit makes you feel like you’re flying.
“I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, & J Balvin
Three tastes that taste great together! Cardi and Oasis collaborators Bad Bunny and J Balvin hopped into the studio to bring you this 2018 banger.
“Déjà Vu” by Giorgio Moroder ft. Sia
Whether you’re at the club or in your bedroom, this danceable ditty will get you on your feet.
“Babygirl” by Charli XCX ft. Uffie
“If you’re feelin’ real sad, just look up on your wall / I’m your pin-up princess, yeah, you know who to call.” Is that a personal invitation? Okay!
Throwback time! Join Ginger, Sporty, Scary, Baby, and Posh as they tell potential boos about their one requirement: You gotta get with my friends.
Eighties Madonna is the best Madonna, in my humble opinion. Here’s an effervescent serving of the good stuff from her first-ever album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBI3lc18k8Q&ab_channel=JasonDerulo
Ugh, remember that Imogen Heap intro? Derulo might be singing about a heartbreak, but the nostalgic trip of listening to this early 2000s classic is enough to lift our spirits.
“Tilted” by Christine and the Queens
If you’re not the shout-it-from-the-rooftops type, this lowkey pop song from quirky French singer Christine and the Queens might be more your speed.
Hard to hold back from a Haim beat. For that Hollywood ease and sunshine, turn to these sunny sisters.
“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira
When you’re feeling yourself.
“Shine” by Felix Jaehn ft. Freddy Verano and Linying
Need to get ready for your day (or night)? This sweet surge of energy should do it.
“C’est La Vie” by B*Witched
Bubblegum pop is basically engineered to put a smile on your face. Ireland’s B*Witched has it down to an art.
“Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine
That darkness is behind you, and only happiness is ahead.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a dance partner! Whitney channelled all those pre-weekend feels into this undeniable R&B hit.
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
When Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars want to give it to ya, you can’t argue with that.
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
Who says family affairs have to be dull? Here’s the ultimate song to bring you all together.
“Break Free” by Ariana Grande ft. Zedd
EDM meets pop meets the ponytail in this early Ari vibe. “Now that I’ve become who I really are?” Who cares if it makes sense!
“We Found Love” by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
Good for the club, or good for a night in with The One.
“Your Love Is My Drug” by Kesha
Electro-pop queen Kesha has a strut in her step, thanks to love. Join in the fun!
“I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
WOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOO!
“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
Look, I was walking into a party and I felt awkward. And then a Jay-Z song was on and made it all better. How did Miley know?
“Now That I Found You” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Who’s better at capturing the sky-high feeling of a crush than CRJ? Get in on the high with “Now That I Found You.”
“The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani
Another song that proves woo-hoos will never let you down in the feel-good game. Thanks, Gwen!
“Dancing On My Own” by Robyn
I prescribe “Dancing On My Own” for any case of Down In The Dumps. It worked for Hannah on Girls!
“Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield
The only way is up with the super fly Curtis Mayfield.
When you can’t be blamed for your own excellence.
Raucous and racy, this Doja Cat single works if you want to feel good or feel good.
“Tightrope” by Janelle Monáe ft. Big Boi
Nobody can make a tightrope sound like a bouncy castle except Janelle Monáe.
“High Horse” by Kacey Musgraves
Got a downer in your life? Take a cue from Kacey Musgraves: Tell ’em to get on their high horse and right outta here.
“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
Did someone read my mind, because Harry Styles telling me I’m beautiful is like Vitamin C. (Still gonna wear makeup if I want though—sorry guys!)
“Soy Yo” by Bomba Estéreo
The girl in Bomba Estéreo’s music video has exactly the right idea. If anyone gets in your face? “You just say / It’s me.”
Lorde herself called this song “a strange piece of music,” but the only thing that’s weird about it is how you can’t stay sitting down when it comes on. It’s true!
Nerisha Penrose Beauty Commerce Editor Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). Estelle Tang Senior Editor Estelle Tang is the former senior editor of ELLE.com. Starr Bowenbank Assistant News Editor Starr Bowenbank is the assistant news editor who writes about all things pertaining to news, pop culture, and entertainment—you can follow her here.
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