If you're feeling low, music is a fantastic tool to help change that and lift your mood. It can be used to help you get through a hard time and can give you inspiration and energy. Here are 25 songs that can inspire positivity and remind you of the good in the world, starting with a few of my personal favourites.
1. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon
This feel-good classic reminds us that kindness goes a long way. When you put love into the world, you not only help others—you also uplift yourself. It's a simple message but a powerful one. Being kind to another person can make you feel good, and it's also the right thing to do.
2. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong is a gentle reminder to appreciate the little things: trees of green, skies of blue, and all the beauty around us. Seeing the world through this lens helps replace negativity with gratitude. It's really about appreciating the world. Seeing the world as an excellent place makes us feel lucky to be here. This type of thinking helps eliminate a negative mindset.
3. I Am Grateful – Karen Drucker
This song is all about gratitude, and it can help people to change their mindset. It has a calming feel overall, although it carries a key message about appreciating the little things. It can help with getting rid of negative thoughts and set you up for the day.
4. Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
This is one of Jackson's biggest hits and is still relevant today. It's an empowering song that many people can relate to and feel inspired by when they listen to it. It explores how to change things you need to do this from within and take responsibility for the actions that you do. It's about identifying areas where you could do better and, from there, going on a personal growth journey.
5. Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer
This upbeat track is perfect for tough days. "Keep your head up and let your hair down" reminds us to stop being so hard on ourselves and that we're doing better than we think. Whenever I feel down, I can't help but smile listening to the lyrics of this highly upbeat song. "Lift your head and let your hair down" reminds us to let ourselves off the hook—we're doing great in life!
6. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
This song has an inspirational feel. It helps to lift your mood if you're feeling down. The lyrics explore how even in darker times the sun will shine again, and your current situation will get better.
7. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
The lyrics to this song instantly convey the message of the song. This is a classic that everyone knows, you will often hear it in all types of environments, from parties to exercise routines. It has a powerful sound, and by singing along with the lyrics, it can help lift your mood quickly.
8. Happy – Pharrell Williams
This upbeat song can instantly lift your mood. It's hard not to smile and tap along—sometimes, we need to let ourselves feel joy.
9. Beautiful Day – U2
Even when life isn't perfect, there's still beauty in the day. This song is a great motivator for making the most of what you have.
10. Lovely Day – Bill Withers
This iconic anthem has a wonderful soulful groove which compliments the lyrics. It creates a positive mindset and helps people to feel good about themselves.
11. Good Life – OneRepublic
This song makes you reflect and appreciate how life can be good, even with challenges. It makes you feel good when you listen to this song.
12. Brave – Sara Bareilles
This song can be great when you feel like you need a confidence boost. It inspires you to stand tall and speak your truth.
13. Count on Me – Bruno Mars
Friendship is the theme of this song, and it can be a great song to listen to when you need to feel some comfort. It has a great chorus and makes you feel good.
14. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves
As joyful as the title suggests, 'Walking on Sunshine' is a song that can instantly boost your energy and fill you with positivity. Play this when you need a quick energy boost and a reminder of the sunny side of life. As joyful as the title suggests—play this when you need a quick boost of energy and positivity.
15. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
This is an empowering song, and it is ideal to listen to when you face a hard time. It encourages us to embrace new chapters and that we don't know what is going to happen in the future but stay positive.
16. Ain't No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
It serves as a potent reminder that with love and support, nothing is truly impossible.
17. Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." This anthem of resilience is great for rebuilding confidence after hardship.
18. Firework – Katy Perry
It is a motivational call to let your inner light shine. It is excellent for moments when self-doubt creeps in.
19. On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
It celebrated life's high points and the hard work it took to achieve this. If you are feeling good about something you haveachieved, this is a great song to make you feel even better.
20. I Feel Good – James Brown
It's a complete classic. It's all about feeling good about yourself and being happy—simple and powerful.
21. Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
This groovy tune instantly boosts your mood. It’s fun, catchy, and has that feel-good factor that’s hard to resist.
22. Don't Stop Me Now – Queen
High energy and unstoppable. This track is ideal for those moments when you need a boost of motivation and want to feel unstoppable.
23. Best Day of My Life – American Authors
Optimistic and catchy, this song helps you imagine the day ahead as full of potential. It's a great way to start your morning.
24. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
It is an energetic anthem about letting go of negativity and not letting others bring you down—a great reminder to keep moving forward and stay lighthearted.
25. Good Morning – Greg Street ft. Pimp C & Bun B
Upbeat and motivational, this song sets the tone for a positive day. It's about waking up with a good mindset and ready to take on the world. Everyone has days when they feel down or stuck in a negative attitude. Music is a powerful way to shift your perspective and find light in dark moments. These songs serve as daily reminders that positivity is a choice—and sometimes, all it takes is the correct lyrics to help you remember.
