Positive songs can transform a bad day. From transitioning those toxic negative thoughts cycling through your head to giving you an extra pep to your step, songs about positivity can uplift you to the next level. If you’re looking for some happy songs that make you feel good, this article is loaded with them. So, let’s get this feel-good dance party started. All aboard the happy train!
30 Positive Songs to Make You More Optimistic On Bad Days
1. Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
If you’re looking to put some sunshine in your pocket, this positive song sung by Justin Timberlake can help you feel good. One of the best things about this song is how often JT mentions the word dance in this song. And we all know what happens when we start dancing– yup, those happy hormones called endorphins start flowing through the veins. So, if you’re looking to improve your mental state, you’re going to have to “just dance, dance, dance, come on.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru0K8uYEZWw
2. On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons
Positivity songs like this one by Imagine Dragons put things into perspective. The lyrics, “Waiting on this a while now, paying my dues to the dirt” basically sum up how much work we need to put in sometimes to get to the point where we feel on top of the world. Sometimes life strikes and knocks you down, and it takes time to build yourself back up to the top of the world. However, this song reminds you that building yourself up and paying your dues will eventually pay off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5tWYmIOWGk
3. I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody is one of the best inspirational songs about relationships. It's one of those upbeat songs that you can't help but start dancing to. The song is about how you're doing alright but that tinge of loneliness inspires you to want to find someone you can dance through life with. While there's a hint of loneliness in this song, overall the message isn't about finding just about anybody to embark on a relationship with. It's about finding that special someone you can hit the dance floor with and really have a good life with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA
4. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
If you’re looking to learn how to think on the bright side, positive songs like Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling will show you how it’s done. They’re not 100% sure that tonight’s gonna be a good night but they've got a good feeling that it's gonna be good. Having a feeling that something will be good and positive will help you inch closer to have a good day– or night. Half the battle is how you view the world. An optimistic person will look for the good in a situation before, during, and after it happens. So, if you’re looking for optimistic songs, this will get you on the right track to do it, do it, do it. And by do it we mean positive thinking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA
5. I Love Me – Demi Lovato
I Love Me by Demi Lovato reminds you to call yourself out when you’re not loving yourself. She reminds you that you should be okay with loving yourself. You don’t need to love other people more than yourself. You deserve just as much love as the person you give it to. The line, “haters that live on the internet, live in my head, should be paying rent” reminds you that it’s so important to shift your thoughts to be more positive because negative, hateful thoughts don’t belong in your head for free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vImvzQCb0o8
6. Dancing Queen - Abba
Abba's Dancing Queen is one of the most iconic pop songs you'll ever hear. This is one of those feel good songs that give you a pick me up instantly. Happy songs like this are about embracing your true energetic self. After all, you are the dancing queen. You're not the wallflower passively watching life happen around you. You're on the dance floor capturing the attention of everyone and living life to the fullest. Embrace your inner dance diva and enjoy this catchy tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s
7. Daisies – Katy Perry
Positive songs like Daisies are about being proud of who you are no matter how different you are compared to those around you. It’s a song about a person who’s been called out for dreaming too big and being unique yet still accomplishing everything they set out to do. It also serves as a reminder not to give up on your hopes and dreams just because others don’t believe in you. This is a happy song about self-empowerment. As Katy Perry sings, “I’ll never let them change me” which is a perfect reminder in staying true to yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutHKRKBgR0
8. Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Etta James
You’ve probably heard this song covered on Avicii’s Levels or Flo Rida’s Good Feeling. However, the original masterpiece of this positive song was sung by none other than the legendary Etta James. She sings about how “everything about me seems to have changed, step by step, I got a brand new walk, I even sound sweeter when I talk.” It’s a beautiful reminder of how something as powerful as love can bring out the best in us. And while love is not always easy to get, it’s in your power to give it to others to give others that ‘good feeling.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OueyaMoUUt4
9. All Star - Smash Mouth
One of the most inspirational songs you can listen to is the classic All Star by Smash Mouth. As one of the most uplifting songs, you'll be amped up because you'll be repeating a positive mantra that you're an all star and it's time to get your game on. This song isn't for underachievers or slackers. It's about hyping yourself up before an event or task. If you need to remind yourself your top tier, this is the song that'll do that for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_jWHffIx5E
10. Good Time – Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City
If you’re looking for positive songs to bop to, you’ll find some catchy lyrics in this Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City tune. The song sings about waking up on the right side of the bed and going through a day of dropping their phone in the pool, waking up late, and sleeping in your clothes but not caring. Even when things go wrong, you can still enjoy your day. And so if you’re having one of those days, you might want to add this optimistic song to your playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7HmzwI67ec
11. Bejeweled - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift wrote the song Bejeweled first when writing for her album midnights. She wanted to go back to writing pop music but needed to hype herself up. She wrote it to inspire people that they're bejeweled and can stand out in a room. No matter what you do in life, you can still make the whole place shimmer. It's also about not settling for less and aiming high, penthouse high. So, if you're looking for a song that's filled with good vibes and positive messages take a quick listen to this hit song by Ms. Swift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7QlX3yR2xs
12. How Far I’ll Go – Alessia Cara
The Moana theme song sung by Alessia Cara is one of the most positive songs you can listen to. It’s about being true to your calling in life. Society encourages us to fit into roles. Yet, this happy song is about breaking from those roles and leading your own path and being who you were born to be. It’s about living a life of adventure instead of monotony. After all, if we’re here on Earth for a number of years, why not explore?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPAbx5kgCJo
13. Flowers - Miley Cyrus
One of the most viral songs of 2023, Flowers by Miley Cyrus is about not being dependant on anyone else. While going through a break-up can be tough, knowing that you've still got yourself and can practice self-love is a great way to embrace the single life. If you want flowers, you can still buy them for yourself with money you've earned. You can love yourself more than anyone else on the planet, so take care of yourself! And if you wanna go out dancing, just do it. You don't need a man to invite you out for a night. There's no limits on how you can treat yourself. So, remember a single life can still be a good life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7KNmW9a75Y
14. This Is Me – Greatest Showman
One of the positive songs to listen to comes from the musical movie The Greatest Showman. The song touches on the normalcy of wanting to hide yourself and being ashamed of who you are. Fortunately, it’s a song about triumphing over those feelings to become proud of who you are. It’s about not apologizing for who you are, celebrating your uniqueness, and pushing through adversity from any bullying or hate you face in life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjxugyZCfuw
15. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
If you were watching The Hills in 2006, you've probably got Natasha Bedingfield's song Unwritten memorized in your brain. The song is about how you can write and rewrite your own destiny. What lies ahead is still unwritten. It's about taking the time to live life to the fullest, feeling the rain on your skin, embracing what lies ahead, and living life on your own terms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI
16. Good As Hell – Lizzo
There’s so much confidence injected in Lizzo’s track Good As Hell. Lizzo sings about dusting your shoulders off, encouraging you to try, and knowing when to walk out the door. But the ultimate line in this anthem is “boss up and change your life, you can have it all, no sacrifice.” Truth is, your whole life is up to you. Do you have enough self-worth to treat yourself the way you deserve to be treated? If so, listen to this optimistic song first and then take action to live life on your terms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmbmeOgWsqE
17. Win Anyway - Walk The Moon
Win Anyway by Walk The Moon is the ultimate underdog song. Throughout your life you'll have haters and skeptics who don't cheer you on and want to see you fail miserably. But if you work hard and don't quit you can win anyway. The lyrics, "They don't want us to win, but we're gonna do it anyway" remind you that you've got to control your mindset and dominate in life despite any negativity people throw your way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPKG0c7qFnw
18. So Am I – Ava Max
Positive songs like Ava Max’s So Am I is basically about how universal it is to feel like an outsider, allowing negativity to soak up your brain, and being different from everyone else. The song brings people together by reminding them that they’re not the only one to feel this way. It’s the ultimate song for people who’ve ever felt misunderstood. Luckily, you aren’t the first or last person to feel that way. So on days that feel like an uphill battle, play this happy track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxGLPVvNjvY
19. Higher Love – Whitney Houston and Kygo
Sometimes in life things ‘look so bad everywhere.’ But ultimately, Whitney Houston’s song reminds you to look for a higher love that must exist otherwise ‘life is wasted time.’ The Kygo remix to this classic optimistic song brings an upbeat energy to the track that can make you dance in your seat as you work or bop along to as you deal with difficult days. Whitney Houston sings about facing your fears. Use that as the starting point for creating your dream life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR49dyo-y0E
20. I Feel Human – Vicetone
This happy song is all about how you control your happiness. Vicetone sings about being ‘blind to the sun by my thunder, and now my vision is all in color.’ Essentially, it’s about how your own actions are what makes you blind to the bright side of the world. And when you shift your focus you can regain that happiness. Your change in attitude can create a new you. But fortunately, the bad and the good we experience in life is what makes us human. This upbeat positive anthem is all about what it’s like to feel human.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVaiICOa9bQ
21. Better Day – Young Bombs and Aloe Blacc
Positive songs such as Better Day is about acknowledging your imperfections but still knowing that today’s a great day to love. Sometimes our worst traits can make us hateful. However, we can still choose to love others. The captivating lyrics of this happy song include, “I know we ain’t no angels, I know we ain’t no gods, but heaven shining down on us, ain’t no better day to love.” This might be the perfect song to play in moments where you catch yourself choosing to hate instead of love. Ultimately, you can decide to be a loving person at any moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLCCVH__6IM
22. Fight Song - Rachel Platten
If you're looking for feel good music, the happiest song you can find to put you in a better mood is Fight Song by Rachel Platten. The song details that you can make an explosion in life and have huge success no matter what. It's about pushing through the chaos in your mind and owning your power. And even if no one else believes in you, you've still got enough fight in yourself to push yourself through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc
23. Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Lovely Day is a happy relationship song. It's about knowing you've got a good support system and no matter what life throws your way it's going to be a lovely day with the love of your life by your side. Sometimes, your day starts off on the wrong foot, but if you've got someone special in your life it's about feeling grateful for them and knowing you're going to be okay. No matter what obstacles you need to overcome in life, no matter how impossible, you can still have a lovely day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEeaS6fuUoA
24. Alive – Klingande
The optimistic song Alive by Klingande is all about fighting and overcoming the fear that makes you hide. The song is all about showing the world that you’re alive. Knowing that some of the best days are still ahead of you. You’ve been given this wonderful moment to be alive, why not let the world know that you’re among the living. If you’ve always wanted to make your mark on the world, this song is the confidence anthem all about giving you a boost in self-esteem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lRH19fX_KQ
25. Know Your Worth – Khalid and Disclosure
Positive songs like Know Your Worth are about overcoming bad periods and knowing that ‘somethin’ better’s waiting at your door.’ The optimistic song’s lyrics remind you to ‘keep your head up.’ It reminds you to know your worth and finding someone who will treat you well. You need to ‘find someone who will loves you at your worst.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-j159LFwGw
26. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
One of the happiest songs in the world is Walking On Sunshine. The upbeat song is about the happiness you feel when you’re loved. But if you’re single and upset about it, it’s important to remember that love doesn’t only come from romantic relationships. And you can find happiness from being loved by friends and family. This positive bop is fun to sing and dance to. The best happy lyrics? “Walking on sunshine, I feel alive, I feel the love.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U
27. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
One of the most positive songs you’ll find on this list is Journey’s big hit Don’t Stop Believing which is all about life. “Paying anything to roll the dice just one more time” reminds you that most people at the end of their life wish they had more time. So take advantage of every second you have while alive. The song reminds you to never stop believing and holding on to good feelings and the wonder that life brings you. Plus, it’s really fun to sing along to when you’re feeling sad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8craCGpgs
28. Love My Life - Robbie Williams
If you're looking for the best song to sing with multiple positive affirmations, consider Love My Life by Robbie Williams. This song will put a lot of self belief into your mind. Repeating words like "I love my life, I am powerful, I am beautiful, I am free, I love my life, I am wonderful, I am magical, I am me" can instantly transform your mood. If you need help rewiring the negative thoughts in your head and turning them into happy thoughts, this song can do the trick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ggyO-OFXU
29. Titanium – David Guetta and Sia
The most optimistic song you’ll find is none other than Titanium. The song is about being shot down but getting back up. The powerful lyrics. ‘You shoot me down, but I won’t fall” are about standing back up against adversity. You’re so much stronger than you realize. And this song helps you regain the strength you need to push through in tough times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRfuAukYTKg
30. Celebration – Kool and the Gang
If you’re having a good day and just want to celebrate, there’s few positive songs as upbeat as Celebration. The song encourages you to ‘celebrate and have a good time.’ It’s the ultimate happy anthem for celebrating special events, such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other happy moments in your life. If you’re going through a happy event, play this happy jam and sing along to the lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M
31. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson has got a ton of positive songs you can bop along to. But one of her biggest hits is Stronger. Positive songs like this one is about remembering that as long as you're alive, you can still become stronger. It's the ultimate self hype song, knowing that you won't break no matter how difficult of a challenge life throws your way. It's a great song to listen to after a break-up, traumatic event, or life challenge. You can be alone without feeling lonely. You can face adversity without crumbling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for happy songs, optimistic songs, or positive songs to make your day, we hope that these upbeat anthems help brighten your day. When things are pretty rough in life, you can slowly transform your grumpy and upset mood, but changing the type of music you listen to. Read the song lyrics, memorize some happy words, and sing along to help make you a more optimistic person. If you need something zen to relax you, you can listen to some meditation music. If you’re trying to learn how to be happy you might want to check out one of our latest articles or follow along to our positive thinking meditation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Aqy454PSBg
