50 Songs Practically Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood

Music's Effect on Mood

Music has been shown to have a profound impact on mood, as well as general health and wellness. According the NorthShore University Health System, music can significantly improve mood, reduce depression and anxiety, and increase emotional expression.

These mood benefits aren't just pleasant to experience, they actually improve your physical health. NorthShore reports that music's benefits include reduced heart rate and blood pressure, improved blood flow, reduced pain, and decreased likelihood for overeating. It even shows marked results for improving Alzheimer's outcomes, which is part of the reason music therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment for dementia.

Trends in Music Throughout History

If we take a look back through recent history, it's interesting to note how music trends seem to relate to world events. Since COVID hit, people are looking for more uplifting beats — and this isn't the first time a link between major global change and music has been spotted.

During World War II, American music trends primarily featured romantic themes and upbeat styles. Singers like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Andrews Sisters rose to fame, while swing music gained popularity in the collective listenership. Music that focused too much on wartime themes was generally not favored by the public — people seemingly wanted to focus on happier, more nostalgic themes that helped them feel a sense of normalcy during an incredibly chaotic time.

The next time the US experienced a major upheaval was during the '60s and '70s, when issues like feminism and civil rights came into the spotlight. Adding to the themes of systemic change were the Cold War and the prevalence of protests over the Vietnam War. During these eras, musical diversity increased dramatically, bringing with it themes about race, gender, anti-war sentiment, and systemic oppression. New sub-genres began to appear, including psychedelic rock, which reflected the collective emphasis on progressivism.

The relationship of popular music to world events is vast and fascinating — but it's easy to see that during times of upheaval, people seem to find a great deal of fulfillment and relief through music. COVID times are no different. Whether music helps us articulate our trauma, boost our mood, or convey our political beliefs, it's clear we can count on music to help us channel our emotions in a productive way.

The Happiest Songs of All Time

Last month, Pandora debuted new stations specifically catering to those looking for a smattering of positivity. Here are just 50 (out of many!) of their hand-picked songs practically guaranteed to get your hands clapping and your heart fluttering in a *very* good way, even during turbulent times.

Tune in to Pandora's Handpicked 100: Happy Shuffle, Get Happy, Happy Dance, Feel Good R&B and Rap Jubilee stations, or add these songs to your own playlist for an instant mood-boost.

1. A Beautiful Morning by The Rascals
2. A-O-K by Tai Verdes
3. All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled, T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross
4. Alright by Janet Jackson
5. Beautiful by Snoop Dog feat. Pharrell & Uncle Charlie Wilson
6. Beautiful Day by U2
7. Beers And Sunshine by Darius Rucker
8. Born This Way by Lady Gaga
9. Cake By The Ocean byDNCE
10. CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! by Justin Timberlake
11. Cool It Now by New Edition
12. Cover Me In Sunshine by P!nk & Willow Sage Hart
13. Dance Monkey by Tones And I
14. Dancing Queen byABBA
15. Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine
16. Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin
17. Dynamite by BTS
18. Famous Friends by Chris Young & Kane Brown
19. Fancy Like by Walker Hayes
20. Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
21. Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man
22. Feeling Good by Nina Simone
23. Feels Good by Tony! Toni! Tone!
24. Follow You by Imagine Dragons
25. Get Lucky (Radio Edit) by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers
26. Gettin' Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith
27. Girls & Boys by Blur
28. Girls Just Want to Have Fun byCyndi Lauper
29. Glad You Exist by Dan + Shay
30. Good as Hell by Lizzo
31. Good Day by Nappy Roots
32. Good Feeling by Flo Rida
33. Good Life by OneRepublic
34. Good Life by Kanye West feat. T-Pain
35. GOOD TIME by Niko Moon feat. Shaggy
36. Good Times by Chic
37. Groove Is in the Heart by Deee-Lite
38. Ha Ha Hee Hee by Sly & The Family Stone
39. Happy by Pharrell Williams
40. Happy by The Rolling Stones
41. Happy Anywhere by Blake Shelton by feat. Gwen Stefani
42. Happy Together by The Turtles
43. Hey Ma Cam'ron by feat. Juelz Santana Freekey Zeekey & Toya
44. Holiday by Madonna
45. Hot In Herre by Nelly
46. I Can See Clearly Now by Jimmy Cliff
47. I Feel It Coming by The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
48. I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown & The Famous Flames
49. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
50. I Like It by Cardi B Bad Bunny & J Balvin