This month, we picked feel good songs to help boost your mood when you’re feeling down.
♫ Half of us chasing fountains of youth and it’s in the present now ♫
“Good Days” by SZA
Of course, what would the Good Days playlist be without this song?! Thank you SZA for the masterpiece.
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
This is thee classic song to dance to without a single care in the world. As long as the music doesn’t stop, you are soaring and flying over anything that could possibly bring you down. Nothing can stop your good mood! I will always reference this song because of the pure, sheer happiness it brings. I think my first encounter with it was in 2008 when my mom brought the whole family to watch Mamma Mia! in theaters, but it could’ve been even sooner because a bunch of titas probably sang it during family karaoke sessions before. Of course, this song and the jukebox musical introduced me to all of ABBA’s discography, which means a lot of amazing things came out of learning just this one song. I remember when Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) came out ten years later, my mom and friends watched it in theaters and sobbed tears of joy. Naturally, it comes with good memories to look back on, but also creates continuous positive feelings in every moment that I hear it again. ABBA always knew what they were doing!
“Amor Prohibido” by Selena Quintanilla
This song always pulls me out of a slump and instantly puts me in a good mood. I think most of the songs that I gravitate towards for cheering up are songs that are meant to be danced to. Whenever this song comes on shuffle, it’s a pleasant surprise and I will drop whatever I’m doing just so that I can shout the lyrics. It never fails to make me smile. For some reason, screaming to music really does help. Then I end up playing this one on repeat at least five times in a row and magically feel better. Hypnotizing…
“00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” by BTS
Sometimes if dancing doesn’t work in uplifting your spirits, just sitting down and closing your eyes while you listen helps. I was trying to decide between this song and another BTS song called “Good Day.” Both have lyrics about how the night is finally over and tomorrow will be a brand new day to restart after all the hardships you faced, which I truly appreciate. I decided to go with this one over the other because rather than be a love song, it’s a comfort song for when you’re feeling completely alone. The music is hopeful and light. The lyrics are understanding of what it feels like to be trapped with nothing but your own voice at the end of the day. Instead of thinking about all the negatives and things that make your heart heavy, take the opportunity to talk to yourself positively. Reassure yourself that it was just another day. Don’t forget to breathe. Don’t blame yourself for everything. Sometimes things are out of our control and that’s okay, too. Just try to get a good night’s rest and see how different tomorrow will be.
“Golden” by Harry Styles
To ask me why this song is my feel good song of choice, one must know the healing and powerful properties of music. Right from the start, this song transports me to another world where I am welcomed by the knowing that everything will be okay. A world where the sun will shine again, and living as our truest self is the most beautiful person we can be.
“Style” by Taylor Swift
This song is my second feel good choice. It’s special to me as it takes me back to when my partner and I first started dating in 2015. I had put it on a mixtape I made for him and it essentially became our song. Pun intended. Everything from the lyrics, to the meaning, to the artistry of the music video is absolutely stunning!
“Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads
This song, specifically the live version from their album Stop Making Sense, always makes me so happy. It’s upbeat, funky, and a great song to dance to. Although it may have dark lyrics about surviving the apocalypse, it’s also sort of a sweet love song. Plus, it’s just really fun to scream this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no fooooooolin’ around.
“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations! Don’t ask me how, but I discovered this song last year, and it has become my number one, feel-good song ever since. I’ve always been obsessed with music with a psychedelic vibe because it gives me a lot of tranquility. Usually, I listen to this song when I’m feeling stressed, angry, or sad, and no matter how I’m feeling, it always brightens up my day.
“Mayonesa” by Chocolate
Let me introduce you to this iconic early 2000s bop that will make you dance even if you don’t like dancing. This has been my go-to upbeat song for years, and it never fails to change my mood. At the end of every busy or stressful week, I find myself alone in my room singing and dancing to this song. The rhythm is very contagious, and I totally recommend listening to it.
“20 Min” by Lil Uzi Vert
Listening to “20 Min” reminds me of quarantine… specifically anime Tik Tok during that time. This song was the epitome of the trend with one of Haikyuu’s most famous volleyball players, Oikawa. When Oikawa said “Ina chan,” the world stopped turning. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that intense, but the song itself is an Uzi classic. It brings nothing but good times with its catchy lyrics and intense heavy zoned out beats. It’s safe to say “20 Min” is one of many Uzi songs anybody can get jiggy with.
“Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John
This song is perhaps of the most known dance/electronic pop of the 2000s. It’s an essential. It’s one of the songs that allow you to escape from reality for a few minutes enjoying whats present around you. “Young Folks” makes you feel like you’re the coolest person on the block. It’s one of the songs that’s replayed the second it ends. This song reminds me of the good times I’ve had with my friends whether it’d be at our mini get-togethers or car rides. It’s on max volume no matter what.
“Shake It” by Metro Station
No matter how old I get, I always find myself coming back to this song. It makes me want to wear knee high top converse with a chunky stud belt and have my hair parted to its side. I have yet to come across a moment when I’ve listened to this song and not crave to sing it. This song is the epitome of the 00s party lifestyle.
Kindergarten 