150 Feel-Good Songs from the '70s That Instantly Boost Your Mood

150 Feel-Good Songs from the '70s That Instantly Boost Your Mood

Music has a crazy way of flipping your whole day around. A great song can make you dance in your kitchen, sing in your car, or just breathe easier. 

Whether you're chasing a burst of energy, a little hope, or straight-up good vibes, this list of 150 feel-good songs from the 70s to today will deliver.

These are the songs that say: Keep going. Be yourself. It's all going to be okay.

Why Feel-Good Music Matters

Music isn't just background noise. Studies show it can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Boost dopamine (your brain's "happy chemical")

• Make workouts more effective

• Help focus and productivity

• Even strengthen your immune system

A simple three-minute song can light up your brain in all the right ways. In fact, research from Harvard Medical School points out that "music therapy" is now a recognized tool in mental health treatments. 

The power of rhythm, lyrics, and melody isn't just emotional—it's biological.

Songs with positive messages help reinforce hope and resilience. 

They remind us that every bad day passes, that better times are coming, and that joy can exist even in tiny moments. 

Listening to upbeat music can also boost confidence, spark creativity, and help us connect with others more openly.

Some Powerful Lyric Moments

• "Make your own kind of music, even if nobody else sings along" — Cass Elliot

• "Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you" — Natasha Bedingfield

• "Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin'" — Journey

• "You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life" — ABBA

• "I'm walking on sunshine, whoa-oh!" — Katrina and The Waves

• "Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth" — Pharrell Williams

• "I'm unstoppable, I'm a Porsche with no brakes" — Sia

These aren't just catchy lines—they're little bursts of encouragement. They tell you: You can do hard things. You can find your light.

The Ultimate Feel-Good Songs List (1970s–Present)

1970s

1. "Make Your Own Kind of Music" — Cass Elliot

2. "Dancing Queen" — ABBA

3. "Lovely Day" — Bill Withers

4. "Don't Stop" — Fleetwood Mac

5. "September" — Earth, Wind & Fire

6. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" — Diana Ross

7. "Three Little Birds" — Bob Marley

8. "You Make My Dreams" — Hall & Oates

9. "I Will Survive" — Gloria Gaynor

10. "Best of My Love" — The Emotions

11. "Good Times" — Chic

12. "Sir Duke" — Stevie Wonder

13. "Joy to the World" — Three Dog Night

14. "Rock With You" — Michael Jackson

15. "We Are Family" — Sister Sledge

1980s

16. "Walking on Sunshine" — Katrina and The Waves

17. "Don't Stop Believin'" — Journey

18. "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" — Wham!

19. "Manic Monday" — The Bangles

20. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" — Cyndi Lauper

21. "Footloose" — Kenny Loggins

22. "You Can Call Me Al" — Paul Simon

23. "Higher Love" — Steve Winwood

24. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" — Whitney Houston

25. "Eye of the Tiger" — Survivor

26. "Walking in Memphis" — Marc Cohn

27. "Africa" — Toto

28. "Take On Me" — a-ha

29. "Holiday" — Madonna

30. "Sweet Child o' Mine" — Guns N' Roses

1990s

31. "MMMBop" — Hanson

32. "Tubthumping" — Chumbawamba

33. "No Scrubs" — TLC

34. "Semi-Charmed Life" — Third Eye Blind

35. "All Star" — Smash Mouth

36. "Believe" — Cher

37. "You Get What You Give" — New Radicals

38. "Wannabe" — Spice Girls

39. "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" — Shania Twain

40. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" — Green Day

41. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" — Backstreet Boys

42. "Barbie Girl" — Aqua

43. "Kiss Me" — Sixpence None the Richer

44. "This Is How We Do It" — Montell Jordan

45. "Smooth" — Santana ft. Rob Thomas

2000s

46. "Unwritten" — Natasha Bedingfield

47. "Hey Ya!" — OutKast

48. "Pocketful of Sunshine" — Natasha Bedingfield

49. "Firework" — Katy Perry

50. "Valerie" — Amy Winehouse

51. "Sugar, We're Goin Down" — Fall Out Boy

52. "Mr. Brightside" — The Killers

53. "Uptown Girl" — Westlife

54. "Stronger" — Kanye West

55. "Beautiful Day" — U2

56. "I'm Yours" — Jason Mraz

57. "Complicated" — Avril Lavigne

58. "So What" — P!nk

59. "Best I Ever Had" — Drake

60. "American Boy" — Estelle ft. Kanye West

Music is therapy. It's celebration. It's resilience.

When you're stuck, tired, or feeling small, put on one of these songs. Let them pull you out of your head and into your life.

Feel-good songs aren't just entertainment—they're fuel for a brighter outlook, a better mindset, and even a healthier body. Never underestimate what a great track can do for your day.

Which feel-good song is your personal anthem? Drop it in the comments — I'd love to hear it!

And remember: if today feels heavy, that's okay. Just press play.

2010s

61. "Happy" — Pharrell Williams

62. "Can't Stop the Feeling!" — Justin Timberlake

63. "Good as Hell" — Lizzo

64. "Shut Up and Dance" — WALK THE MOON

65. "Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

66. "High Hopes" — Panic! At the Disco

67. "Shake It Off" — Taylor Swift

68. "Dog Days Are Over" — Florence + The Machine

69. "Roar" — Katy Perry

70. "On Top of the World" — Imagine Dragons

71. "Best Day of My Life" — American Authors

72. "Good Time" — Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

73. "Geronimo" — Sheppard

74. "Send Me On My Way" — Rusted Root (re-popularized)

75. "Cake by the Ocean" — DNCE

2020s

76. "About Damn Time" — Lizzo

77. "Flowers" — Miley Cyrus

78. "Don't Start Now" — Dua Lipa

79. "Levitating" — Dua Lipa ft. DaBaby

80. "Good 4 U" — Olivia Rodrigo

81. "Peaches" — Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon

82. "Save Your Tears" — The Weeknd

83. "As It Was" — Harry Styles

84. "Butter" — BTS

85. "Sunroof" — Nicky Youre & dazy

86. "Stay" — The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

87. "Ghost" — Justin Bieber

88. "abcdefu" — GAYLE

89. "Made You Look" — Meghan Trainor

90. "What Was I Made For?" — Billie Eilish

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Bonus Classics That Always Hit

91. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" — Bobby McFerrin

92. "Here Comes the Sun" — The Beatles

93. "I’m Still Standing" — Elton John

94. "Sweet Caroline" — Neil Diamond

95. "Walking on Broken Glass" — Annie Lennox

96. "Freedom! '90" — George Michael

97. "Born to Run" — Bruce Springsteen

98. "Good Vibrations" — The Beach Boys

99. "Let’s Groove" — Earth, Wind & Fire

100. "The Way You Make Me Feel" — Michael Jackson

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Songs That Spark Self-Love

101. "Confident" — Demi Lovato

102. "Beautiful" — Christina Aguilera

103. "Fight Song" — Rachel Platten

104. "Just the Way You Are" — Bruno Mars

105. "Scars to Your Beautiful" — Alessia Cara

106. "Who Says" — Selena Gomez

107. "Rise Up" — Andra Day

108. "All About That Bass" — Meghan Trainor

109. "Born This Way" — Lady Gaga

110. "Be Alright" — Ariana Grande

Songs That Bring People Together

111. "Count on Me" — Bruno Mars

112. "Lean on Me" — Bill Withers

113. "We’re All in This Together" — High School Musical Cast

114. "Stand by Me" — Ben E. King

115. "Home" — Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

116. "Put Your Records On" — Corinne Bailey Rae

117. "Best Friend" — Saweetie ft. Doja Cat

118. "Hold My Hand" — Jess Glynne

119. "Better Together" — Jack Johnson

120. "Some Nights" — fun.

Motivational Power Songs

121. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" — Kelly Clarkson

122. "Hall of Fame" — The Script ft. will.i.am

123. "The Climb" — Miley Cyrus

124. "Titanium" — David Guetta ft. Sia

125. "Warrior" — Demi Lovato

126. "Unstoppable" — Sia

127. "Lose Yourself" — Eminem

128. "Fight for Your Right" — Beastie Boys

129. "Champion" — Carrie Underwood

130. "Believer" — Imagine Dragons

Indie Feel-Good Gems

131. "Electric Feel" — MGMT

132. "Pumped Up Kicks" — Foster the People

133. "Tongue Tied" — Grouplove

134. "Take a Walk" — Passion Pit

135. "Young Folks" — Peter Bjorn and John

136. "Float On" — Modest Mouse

137. "Dog Days Are Over" — Florence + The Machine

138. "New Soul" — Yael Naim

139. "Sweet Disposition" — The Temper Trap

140. "Somebody That I Used to Know" — Gotye ft. Kimbra

Dance Floor Lifters

141. "Tik Tok" — Ke$ha

142. "Turn Up the Music" — Chris Brown

143. "Don’t You Worry Child" — Swedish House Mafia

144. "Levels" — Avicii

145. "This Girl" — Kungs vs Cookin' on 3 Burners

146. "Party Rock Anthem" — LMFAO

147. "Where Them Girls At" — David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida

148. "We Found Love" — Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris

149. "Starships" — Nicki Minaj

150. "Turn Down for What" — DJ Snake & Lil Jon

Final Word: Feel It, Play It, Share It

Life’s heavy sometimes. But a good beat, a hopeful lyric, or a voice that just gets it — that's magic.

Music helps us show up even when it’s hard. It helps us celebrate when things go right. And it helps us heal when things fall apart.

Whether you're chasing a dream, dancing through your heartbreak, or just needing one more reason to smile — hit play. Loud.

👉 Save this playlist. Share it with a friend. Turn up the volume on your best self.

👉 And remember you’re one song away from a better mood. Always.

👉 🎶 "Press play and turn your day around! Save this playlist to your Spotify for instant happiness whenever you need it."

This playlist includes a mix of classics and contemporary hits designed to uplift your mood and energize your day. Enjoy the music and feel the positivity!

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