Music has often been referred to as food for the soul; it provides a soothing and calming feeling to the listener. Music has been discovered to work on the autonomic nervous system that is the part of the nervous system responsible for controlling our blood pressure, heartbeat and brain function, including the limbic system which is the part of the brain that controls feelings and emotions in humans. According to one piece of research, both these systems react sensitively to the sound of music.
There happens to be a variety of music genres from the jazz to Metallica and blues, reggae, country, etc. When slow rhythms of any version of these genres are played, our blood pressure and heartbeat slow down and this in turn helps us breathe more slowly, thus reducing the muscle tension in our neck, shoulders, stomach and back. Experts say that apart from physical tension, music also reduces psychological tension in our mind as it imposes a calming influence upon the listener.
In other words, when we feel certain emotions like pain, we become frightened, frustrated and angry which makes us tense up hundreds of muscles in our body. Listening to music on a regular basis helps our bodies relax physically and mentally, thus helping to relieve and prevent extreme stress. In this article we will take a look at some list of songs from different genres of music that are guaranteed to lighten up your mood and make you feel good.
1. Peter Gabriel ? Solsbury Hill
When you listen to this song, it sounds like the theme song for every big decision in life. Gabriel wrote it about the time he quit Genesis to take care of his family. His first daughter?s birth was a difficult thing and everything happened through the very stressful recording of the legendary ?The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway?. His decision to quit the band after touring the album was met with a lot of critic and Gabriel asked himself whether he had made a mistake. That is what the song is about. And it is definitely bound to make you feel good.
2. Home ? Phillip Phillips
This music reminds me of all the special people in my life that always make me feel at home and it is bound to make you feel the same way. A must get to your list of the best songs.
3. Blind Melon ? No Rain
With this song comes one of the greatest intros that always seem to make me smile. It is one of the few ?90s alternative songs that does not disturb but will intrigue you genuinely and make you happy. I like that it talks about alienation and is bound to elevate your spirits.
4. Elbow ? Asleep In The Back
I would say that this song is a love song. If you tie the title to feeling so comfortable with someone, that it reminds you of this time as a child when you fell asleep to the conversations of your parents. There is a certain amount of trust that you have as a kid, that you will wake up and be where you wanted to be. And it is difficult to find someone you trust so much that you scatter all your flaws in front of them, and they will still stand by you. Beautiful music.
5. Gene Kelly ? Singin? In The Rain
Gene Kelly is the personified smile and this song, written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, happens to be like his personal theme song. Even if there have been different interpretations, Kelly?s version is so full of joy and you actually hear him smiling. I still think that the best part was the beginning of that great song.
6. The Temptations ? My Girl
Gets played a lot in romantic movie scenes and whenever someone else needs an uplifting love song. And it just does not get old. Apart from the stellar choreography in the clip, this song has no sexy-talk and therefore can also be for a good friend or family member without being really wrong and awkward. It is also one of the songs that are guaranteed to get you bobbing your head to the rhythm.
7. Gotye ? Learnalilgivinanlovin?
I almost believed it was going to certainly become one of the biggest hit of the summer. This did not happen, and I still do not understand why, because this song is a huge ode to 60s Motown songs like ?My Girl?. There is an excitement about songs like this one, that immediately pick you up, something that is surprisingly scarce with modern pop songs and filled with energy.
8. The Muppets ? Life?s A Happy Song
I still cannot believe how incredibly charming, funny, loveable and true to the original movies the Muppets revival has been. In my opinion, instead of singing some religious hymns or the National Anthem at school, sport events or else, we should sing this song all the time, everywhere.
9. Feeder ? Just A Day
When I stumbled upon this glorious song, it blew my mind. I loved the silly fan-videos and the energy of the song. It was released as a b-side and therefore not in my local record store. At some point, I forgot the title and always looked for ?All by myself? and it drove me mad that I had this great song in the back of my mind but did not know where and how to get it. And then I did, and it was wonderful. I listened to it a thousand times and I still love it. You will love it, too.
10. The Lumineers ? Ho Hey
It is about a guy that is trying to win his girlfriend back. Who does not like a happy ending? It makes you want to root for him. I love the acoustics most; this group really hit some nerves with their voices which leave you no choice but nodding in tune with the song.
11. Pharrell Williams ? Happy
This has been tagged the song for whenever something joyful occurs. You are bound to still enjoy this tune very much and particularly love to dance to it. The words say happy which is what your day is bound to be when you start if off with this great tune.
12. Cartman ? Come Sail Away
For me, it works wonders, brightens me up and fixes my mood. Even when you can be in the shittiest of shitty moods you cannot get through this song without cracking up. The secret lies in the fact that it is the full song, the whole 5 minutes and 12 seconds. Pulling through it is one of the big basics of good comedy guaranteed to get you jiving.
13. Hanson ? Mmmbop
I would have loved to have been in the room when the chorus to Mmmbop was written. If you are having a bad day just put this song on repeat.
14. Wham! ? Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Waking up to this extremely happy-go-lucky Wham! Song is the ultimate energizing way to start your day. Even the band?s name has an exclamation mark in it! And is a song that will put you in a good mood when listened to.
15. Katrina & the Waves ? Walking On Sunshine
Walking on sunshine is a great metaphor for feeling on top of your game or feeling good and in the happiness department. This jam from the 80?s is like a musical sunshine that is ready to get your day glowing and makes you feel on top.
16. The Black Crowes ? Soul Singing
This song was supposed to be released in 1993 but then got stuck in the time-space until its release in 2001. If there is one song to get that psychedelic tunica on you once bought in a fit of 68-nostalgia, this is it. You got a great chorus to sing along, a fantastic gospel choir to get those hands shaking and a wonderful guitar-break in the middle where you can think about your life for roughly 10 seconds before you dance the day and night away again. A song that will definitely get you nodding.
17. Macklemore And Ryan Lewis ? Thrift Shop
With this music you just could not care less. It speaks about how you can find the most ridiculous, funny things and cool designer threads for cheap all in one store. Thinking of our second-hand store adventures instantly puts us in a good mood that is bound to make us numb to anything but happiness.
18. Cake ? Short Skirt/Long Jacket
We all want what is best for us and this music does not speak otherwise. It passes across the message that all we got to do is just to try. I challenge you to listen to this music and not crack a smile: it is just not possible!
19. Cold War Kids ? Miracle Mile
And with a first single like ?Miracle Mile?, I thought they were back on the craziness of their debut. Alas, it was not meant to be. That does not mean, though, that this is not a fantastic song about picking yourself up after you realize that you took the wrong turn and need to take that big step, risk something to be able to feel alive again. This song is one for the road.
20. Barenaked Ladies ? One Week
Though these lyrics happen to make very little sense, but somehow it just puts us into a better mood. Guess it?s the beat that gets to us.
21. Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes ? Home
?Home is whenever I?m with you? this soulful music touches deep down in all its listeners the need to look back on what makes us happy. I met this amazing girl and the song describes how I felt. When I hear this song, it is not bittersweet and instead I remember the good times, which is exactly how you are bound to feel when you do listen to it.
22. Taylor Swift ? Mean
This song inspires me with the message that you are more powerful than the people who put you down. Actually, with Taylor Swift there are just few of her song which will not get you singing along. This is definitely for keeps and I recommend it for starting the day.
23. Olivia Newton-John ? Xanadu
This is one hell of a song; it is bound to make you feel invincible and untouchable. This music with its lyrics speaks to your sense of will and is guaranteed to put you in a good mood.
24. U2 ? Hawkmoon 269
If you love drums then you will definitely love this song because it is got lots of it infused with the lyrics. And the rhythm cannot help but get you moving in time to the beats. It is one that is definitely going to put you in a good mood.
25. Heaven Or Las Vegas ? Cocteau Twins
It inspires me and makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. This is a song that will certainly reach out to your soul and fill you with emotions that are bound to make you feel good about yourself.
26. U2 ? Beautiful Day
There is something to be said for lyrical simplicity, yeah! This is definitely a song for every beautiful day just like the lyrics say. Do not let the beauty pass you by. All you have to do is look closely and you will find that one thing that makes life beautiful. An amazing song.
27. I?d Rather Dance With You ? Kings Of Convenience
The lyrics of this great song are lighthearted and the music is upbeat. This is one that is certainly bound to get you gyrating to the rhythm.
28. Crazy ? Gnarls Barkley
If you love great songs with great lyrics then this is certainly one for you. This song will inevitably make you smile to it.
29. Bruno Mars ? The Lazy Song
Bruno has got chilling down to a science. Some people nicknamed it the lazy man?s song, but this is a down to earth ?I don?t care? song guaranteed to give you the attitude to need to overcome the everyday stress.
30. The Turtles ? Happy Together
?I can?t see me loving nobody but you for all my life / When you?re with me, baby the skies will be blue for all my life? I can?t think of anyone who would find this song anything but happy, those lyrics are also the best part of a song that will definitely boost your mood.
31. Deee-Lite ? Groove Is In the Heart
Even at parties all you need to do is to turn up the volume and play this amazing song and see the crowd go wild. Everyone loves a happy song and this is no exception on the list of songs that will get you grooving.
32. The Jackson 5 ? I Want You Back
The Jackson 5 is probably the most happy-go-lucky band to ever exist, and young Michael Jackson had an amazing voice for such a little kid. Though an old track, it is still one to put you in a good mood any day, anytime.
33. Spin Doctors ? Two Princes
Why is the lead singer trying to get this girl to choose him and also insisting she buy him flowers?
34. Shaggy ? It Wasn?t Me
Shaggy is either the best defense attorney of all time or the absolute worst defense attorney ever. I smile each time I listen to the lyrics of this great song.
35. Nelly ? Country Grammar
If you love happy music then this is certainly one for you. Will lighten your mood.
36. 4 Non Blondes ? What?s Up
I feel like the concept of this song was to take every single thing that screamed 90s and cram it into five magical minutes. Great happy song.
37. J-Kwon ? Tipsy
He certainly knows how to get your bobbing to the sound of great music. And with this song your good mood is guaranteed.
38. Paula Abdul ? Straight Up
This is one to get you smiling. Great lyrics, great tone will keep you happy.
39. R. Kelly ? Ignition
One to put on replay. As simple as that.
40. OMC ? How Bizarre
The greatest feature a car company could ever offer is to make a vehicle that instantly starts playing this song when your windows roll down. This is definitely one for a happy journey.
41. Fall Out Boy ? Sugar, We?re Goin? Down
I will not apologize for my love of this song. Will definitely put you in a good mood.
42. The Darkness ? I Believe In A Thing Called Love
You can try to hit that high note on the chorus, but you will cough up blood before you actually get to that level. This is a great song for a great day.
43. Weezer ? Beverly Hills
You might certainly not understand or be able to hear the lyrics but the tune will get to you.
44. Len ? Steal My Sunshine
Like I have said it before and I will say it again; Steal My Sunshine is the best worst song of the 90s, but the beat is effusive.
45. Third Eye Blind ? Semi-Charmed Life
You will never find a more upbeat and charming song about drug addiction than this. It keeps you going when the strength seems to falter.
46. The Knack ? My Sharona
This is definitely one to remember, and guaranteed to get you feeling good.
47. Mariah Carey ? Always Be My Baby
It?s impossible to be sad while this song is playing. I want it played at my funeral so everyone dances out of the service.
I challenge you to listen to any (or several) of these songs and stay grumpy. It is practically impossible!
Got any to add? Tell us in the comments.
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Originally published at inspower.co on March 18, 2015.
