Music can evoke powerful emotional responses in listeners. Listening to the music we enjoy can lead to the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. It is a common way to alter mood or relieve stress.
We often listen to songs that reflect how we feel and whilst this may be therapeutic, sometimes we all need a pick me up.
I have found myself with excess energy in lockdown, I don’t leave the house enough and find it hard to leave my desk- and too often I have found myself dancing around the house to my favourite songs in an attempt to relieve my stress and anxiety.
Here is a list of feel-good songs that we hope can life your mood when you are feeling down.
“Reach”- S Club 7
This song reminds me of dancing round the living room with my grandparents when I was a kid.
Giovanna Fletcher took this into the I’m a celebrity castle as her luxury item, and it worked in cheering the whole camp up. It’s a song most people know and can even copy the cheesy dance moves to. It is truly a feel good tune and reminds us of the people we can count on.
“We’ve got to all stick together, good friends there for each other.”
“Fighter” – Christina Aguilera
An empowering song that makes me feel like I can take on anything.
“Dancing in the moonlight” – Toploader
This reminds me of days when we could leave the house and party with our friends. It is a classic, old school song that continues to be widely popular.
“Soulmate” – Lizzo
A song to make you love yourself. I listen to this all the time when I’m down, and the music video with the Queer Eye collaboration makes me even more happy.
“And she never tell me to exercise, We always get extra fries, And you know the sex is fire, And I gotta testify, I get flowers every Sunday”
We love a song that promotes self-love!
“Walking on sunshine” – Katrina & The Waves
I know most of us probably don’t feel like we are walking on sunshine at the moment, but the tune of this song always puts me in a good mood, leaving me feeling upbeat and cheerful.
“Dancing Queen” – ABBA
ABBA’s music is so feel good that many clubs have an ‘ABBA party night’ dedicated to all their greatest hits. Whilst we can’t go out at the moment, this song always makes me feel better and carefree, and it’s also very catchy.
And why not just watch the Mamma Mia films whilst you’re at it.
“Ain’t No Mountain High” – Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
The song carries a message about overcoming obstacles we may face. This is such an important reminder for people who are struggling and feeling low. It also reminds us that we all have a reason to keep going.
“Here Comes The Sun”- The Beatles
This song reminds me of when Hallie Parker is riding through London in the film the Parent Trap.
It’s a song about better days coming after a long winter. This is something we all need to remember. With spring just around the corner, the days will get lighter and we can start to feel hopeful.
“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
We all love Folklore and Evermore and whilst they are beautiful albums, I am going to go old school T Swift for a real feel-good song.
Shake it off has such a catchy chorus, memorable lyrics and is great to dance to… helping to shake off any negative feelings.
“Treat people with kindness” – Harry Styles
Harry styles in general is enough to put me in a good mood.
If the title isn’t enough, we get a Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge collab in the new music video too.
Kindness is so important and is something we all need to spread, especially at the moment.
“Can’t stop the feeling” – Justin Timberlake
An upbeat song with simple lyrics that will inject some positive energy into you day.
“I lived” – One Republic
This song is dedication to people with Cystic fibrosis (CF), and whilst I love it for personal reasons, the lyrics are really motivating and make me appreciate every day.
“I owned every second that this world could give, I saw so many places, the things that I did”
“Crocodile rock”- Elton John
A great song with some sad lyrics, made even more popular in the TV show Killing Eve, when Villanelle and her family dance to the song in an awkward family reunion.
Whilst the meaning of this song may not covey an obvious message it’s fun to listen to, especially when you are in the shower.
