What’s your morning routine? Usually it involves exercise, a cup of coffee, maybe a light breakfast, and of course, getting ready to start the day. Anyone can do all of this and be out the door in an hour or two. But there’s something missing.
Music.
The music we listen to at the start of the day has a huge effect on how our day is going to pan out. Sometimes a handful of lively punk songs can get you geared up to take on your rebellious streak. Perhaps some soothing soul can help you relax before a big day. But when it comes to just a regular day, the choice of music is usually light, upbeat, and just fun – our subtle way of saying that we hope our day turns out that way too!
So for all of you looking for the perfect upbeat songs to get your energy levels up, here are our picks.
Nina Simone – Feeling Good
This might just be the perfect morning song for all of you who love jazz and blues. It starts off slow with Nina’s soothing voice, and it builds up into a masterpiece of sound. Feeling Good is a song that’s about appreciating the world around you and the many things you can do in it.
Upbeat lines: Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Yeah, freedom is mine, and I know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me
And I’m feelin’ good
James Brown – Get Up Offa That Thing
If you need a song to jolt you right out of bed, this is the song for you. Get Up Offa That Thing is one of those super upbeat songs that would make for a great alarm tune. It’s literally just James Brown and his band telling you to get up, shake off the tiredness, and just release all that pressure. Wake up to it, dance to it, or exercise with it as you please!
Upbeat lines: Get up offa that thing,
and dance ’till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake ’till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and shake it, say it now!
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy
Okay, let’s mellow it down just a tad with this happy little tune from Bobby McFerrin. This worldwide reggae hit is all about not sweating the small stuff. Don’t live your life being so worried all the time because things are bound to work out in the end. Oh, and a bit of added trivia: did you know that this song was made with instruments. In place of instruments, the song uses overdubbed voice parts and other sounds made by Bobby McFerrin.
Upbeat lines: Ain’t got no cash, ain’t got no style
Ain’t got no gal to make you smile
But don’t worry, be happy
‘Cause when you worry your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don’t worry, be happy
Don’t worry, be happy now
The Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup
Hearing the first few lines is enough to make you want to start dancing! Build Me Up Buttercup is about a guy lamenting the fact that the girl he wants seems to take him for granted. But in the end, he’s determined to make her love him back. Now if that’s not enough to get you motivated to finally ask your crush out on a date, we don’t know what is!
Upbeat lines: Why do you build me up Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down and mess me around
And then worst of all you never call, baby
When you say you will but I love you still
I need you more than anyone, darlin’
You know that I have from the start
So build me up Buttercup, don’t break my heart
Queen – I Want to Break Free
If you’ve never seen the music video, we suggest watching it as you listen to this song. I Want to Break Free is about just being who you want to be, and not what other people expect you to be. It’s a song that encourages you to break the norm if that’s what’s going to make you happy. This is perfectly embodied in its controversial music video that you simply must check out.
Upbeat lines: I want to break free, I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You’re so self-satisfied I don’t need you
I’ve got to break free
God knows, God knows I want to break free
Blue Suede – Hooked on a Feeling
Its use in the movie Reservoir Dogs may have been overshadowed by its use in Guardians of the Galaxy, but anything that makes this awesome song more popular is a plus in our book. Hooked on a Feeling starts off with the famous “ooga ooga ooga chaka” intro, which is bound to wake up your senses. It’s then followed by a capella vocals before the instruments come in.
Upbeat lines: Got a bug from you, girl, but I don’t need no cure
I just stay affecting, if I can for sure
All the good love when we’re all alone
Keep it up girl, yeah, you turn me on
I’m hooked on a feeling, I’m high on believing
That you’re in love with me
Hall and Oates – You Make My Dreams
Do you need a song that’s going to get you up and moving? Because this is the song that will make you do exactly that! If you’re a millennial, you may have first heard this song in the movie (500) Days of Summer. And that might just be one of the best uses of the song because it reflects what the song is about – feeling elated that you’ve found the one who has made all your dreams come true.
Upbeat lines: On a night when bad dreams become a screamer
When they’re messin’ with the dreamer
I can laugh it in the face
Twist and shout my way out
And wrap yourself around me
‘Cause I ain’t the way you found me
And I’ll never be the same
Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life
Did you use to try and memorize the lyrics so you could sing along to all the fast parts? If not, it’s never too late! Semi-Charmed Life is a super upbeat happy song that’s actually about something more insidious – drug abuse. The song is actually about a crystal meth binge that gets the singer high before it makes him crash. Now it’s not exactly model behavior, but you can’t deny that this is one upbeat tune you’ll want to sing along to in the morning.
Upbeat lines: I believe in the sand beneath my toes
The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling
I believe in the faith that grows
And the four right chords can make me cry
When I’m with you I feel like I could die
And that would be alright, alright
Foo Fighters – Learn to Fly
If you’re recently experiencing a change in your life (be it a new city, a new job, or a new set of friends), this is a great song to listen to. Learn to Fly is about feeling that struggle between wanting things to remain the same and embracing change. Learning to fly is compared to finally taking that leap to go to greater heights without forgetting where you came from. This awesome Foo Fighters song is both uplifting and upbeat – the perfect combo to start your day!
Upbeat lines: Now I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I’m looking for a complication
Looking ’cause I’m tired of lying
Make my way back home when I learn to fly high
Sia – Cheap Thrills
Now for a touch of modern synthpop, we have this hit song by Sia. Cheap Thrills is a great party anthem that has a nice beat you can dance to. It’s about getting ready for a night of partying, even though you may not have much cash to spare. It’s a fun tune to dance along to when you’re out partying or even while you’re getting riled up for a night out.
Upbeat lines: Hit the dancefloor, hit the dancefloor
I got all I need
No I ain’t got cash, I ain’t got cash
But I got you baby
Baby I don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight
I love cheap thrills
Baby I don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight
I love cheap thrills
The Darkness – I Believe in a Thing Called Love
From the arrangement to the vocals and down to the video, everything about this song screams glam rock! It’s a shout out to the glam rock stars of yesteryear and their over-the-top videos. And as for the song, well it’s simply impossible not to sing along!
Upbeat lines: I believe in a thing called love
Just listen to the rhythm of my heart
There’s a chance we could make it now
We’ll be rocking ’til the sun goes down
I believe in a thing called love
Cage the Elephant – Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
This song about criminals might not strike you as one that’s made to uplift your spirits, but it’s actually pretty effective. It’s a song that reminds you of how good you have it that you’re not a criminal hustling in the streets. Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked is a reminder that even though you might be toiling day in, day out in a thankless job, at least you’re not the scum of society taking advantage of others!
Upbeat lines: There ain’t no rest for the wicked
Money don’t grow on trees
I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed
There ain’t nothing in this world for free
I know I can’t slow down
I can’t hold back though you know I wish I could
No there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good
The Strokes – Under Cover of Darkness
Under Cover of Darkness is a song that mixes success, frustration, and everything in between. It’s talking about the band’s experiences and how they’re being molded to become just another popular band for the sake of making money. This song is them lashing out and refusing to fit into the mold because they want to write and play the songs that reflects them. It also helps that the song is really fun to listen to.
Upbeat lines: We got the right to live, fight to use it,
Got everything but you can just choose it
I won’t just be a puppet on a string
Walk the Moon – Anna Sun
Anna Sun is a song about living the quintessential Bohemian lifestyle. Your house may be falling apart, you might be sleeping on the couch, and you might not have money. And yet, you’re happily living an eventful life. After all, you don’t always have to be rich and famous to be happy, right?
Upbeat lines: We got no money, but we got heart
We’re gonna rattle this ghost town
Pharell – Happy
If you’re looking for a song to instantly boost your mood, the best modern example would be Pharell’s Happy. It’s an upbeat song with lyrics that sound like a pep talk telling you that everything’s going to be okay. You’ll be fine. So clap along to the beat!
Upbeat lines: Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do
Now that you have your happy playlist, save it on your phone, keep it on hand, and give it a listen every time you need a quick, happy boost!
