21 Positive Songs to Make You More Optimistic On Bad Days (2023)

Positive songs can be the cure to a bad day believe it or not. From helping transform those toxic negative thoughts cycling through your head to giving you an extra pep to your step, songs about positivity can uplift you to a greater height. If you’re looking for some happy songs that make you feel good, this article is loaded with plenty of them. So, let’s get this feel-good dance party started. All aboard the happy train!

21 Positive Songs to Make You More Optimistic On Bad Days

1. Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake

If you’re looking to put some sunshine in your pocket, this positive song sung by Justin Timberlake can help you feel good. One of the best things about this song is how often JT mentions the word dance in this song. And we all know what happens when we start dancing– yup, those happy hormones called endorphins start flowing through the veins. So, if you’re looking to improve your mental state, you’re going to have to “just dance, dance, dance, come on.”

2. On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons

Positivity songs like this one by Imagine Dragons put things into perspective. The lyrics, “Waiting on this a while now, paying my dues to the dirt” basically sum up how much work we need to put in sometimes to get to the point where we feel on top of the world. Sometimes life strikes and knocks you down, and it takes time to build yourself back up to the top of the world. However, this song reminds you that building yourself up and paying your dues will eventually pay off.

3. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

If you’re looking to learn how to think on the bright side, positive songs like Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling will show you how it’s done. They’re not 100% sure that tonight’s gonna be a good night but they have a feeling. Having a feeling that something will be good and positive will help you inch closer to have a good day– or night. Half the battle is how you view the world. An optimistic person will look for the good in a situation before, during, and after it happens. So, if you’re looking for optimistic songs, this will get you on the right track to do it, do it, do it. And by do it we mean positive thinking!

4. I Love Me – Demi Lovato

I Love Me by Demi Lovato reminds you to call yourself out when you’re not loving yourself. She reminds you that you should be okay with loving yourself. You don’t need to love other people more than yourself. You deserve just as much love as the person you give it to. The line, “haters that live on the internet, live in my head, should be paying rent” reminds you that it’s so important to shift your thoughts to be more positive because negative, hateful thoughts don’t belong in your head for free.

5. Daisies – Katy Perry

Positive songs like Daisies are about being proud of who you are no matter how different you may be compared to those around you. It’s a song about a person who’s been called out for dreaming too big and being unique yet still accomplishing everything they set out to do. It also serves as a reminder not to give up on your hopes and dreams just because others don’t believe in you. This is a happy song about self-empowerment. As Katy Perry sings, “I’ll never let them change me” which is a perfect reminder in staying true to yourself.

6. Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Etta James

You’ve probably heard this song covered on Avicii’s Levels or Flo Rida’s Good Feeling. However, the original masterpiece of this positive song was sung by none other than the legendary Etta James. She sings about how “everything about me seems to have changed, step by step, I got a brand new walk, I even sound sweeter when I talk.” It’s a beautiful reminder of how something as powerful as love can bring out the best in us. And while love is not always easy to get, it’s in your power to give it to others to give others that ‘good feeling.’

7. Good Time – Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City

If you’re looking for positive songs to bop to, you’ll find some catchy lyrics in this Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City tune. The song sings about waking up on the right side of the bed and going through a day of dropping their phone in the pool, waking up late, and sleeping in your clothes but not caring. Even when things go wrong, you can still enjoy your day. And so if you’re having one of those days, you might want to add this optimistic song to your playlist.

8. How Far I’ll Go – Alessia Cara

The Moana theme song sung by Alessia Cara is one of the most positive songs you can listen to. It’s about being true to your calling in life. Society encourages us to fit into roles. Yet, this happy song is about breaking from those roles and leading your own path and being who you were born to be. It’s about living a life of adventure instead of monotony. After all, if we’re here on Earth for a number of years, why not explore?

9. ME! – Taylor Swift

Me is Taylor Swift’s most positive song to date. It’s about how we’re all imperfect, we all go through bad periods, but there’s no one else in the world who is just like me. It’s about celebrating your uniqueness. Some people naturally have some turbulent events in life but Taylor Swift looks on the bright side by reminding her lover Joe Alwyn that at least he’ll never get bored of her. So, if you ever have a rocky period that affects your relationship, this is the ultimate optimistic song to listen to.

10. This Is Me – Greatest Showman

One of the positive songs to listen to comes from the musical movie The Greatest Showman. The song touches on the normalcy of wanting to hide yourself and being ashamed of who you are. Fortunately, it’s a song about triumphing over those feelings to become proud of who you are. It’s about not apologizing for who you are, celebrating your uniqueness, and pushing through adversity from any bullying or hate you face in life.

11. Good As Hell – Lizzo

There’s so much confidence injected in Lizzo’s track Good As Hell. Lizzo sings about dusting your shoulders off, encouraging you to try, and knowing when to walk out the door. But the ultimate line in this anthem is “boss up and change your life, you can have it all, no sacrifice.” Truth is, your whole life is up to you. Do you have enough self-worth to treat yourself the way you deserve to be treated? If so, listen to this optimistic song first and then take action to live life on your terms.

12. So Am I – Ava Max

Positive songs like Ava Max’s So Am I is basically about how universal it is to feel like an outsider, allowing negativity to soak up your brain, and being different from everyone else. The song brings people together by reminding them that they’re not the only one to feel this way. It’s the ultimate song for people who’ve ever felt misunderstood. Luckily, you aren’t the first or last person to feel that way. So on days that feel like an uphill battle, play this happy track.

13. Higher Love – Whitney Houston and Kygo

Sometimes in life things ‘look so bad everywhere.’ But ultimately, Whitney Houston’s song reminds you to look for a higher love that must exist otherwise ‘life is wasted time.’ The Kygo remix to this classic optimistic song brings an upbeat energy to the track that can make you dance in your seat as you work or bop along to as you deal with difficult days. Whitney Houston sings about facing your fears. Use that as the starting point for creating your dream life.

14. I Feel Human – Vicetone

This happy song is all about how you control your happiness. Vicetone sings about being ‘blind to the sun by my thunder, and now my vision is all in color.’ Essentially, it’s about how your own actions are what makes you blind to the bright side of the world. And when you shift your focus you can regain that happiness. Your change in attitude can create a new you. But fortunately, the bad and the good we experience in life is what makes us human. This upbeat positive anthem is all about what it’s like to feel human.

15. Better Day – Young Bombs and Aloe Blacc

Positive songs such as Better Day is about acknowledging your imperfections but still knowing that today’s a great day to love. Sometimes our worst traits can make us hateful. However, we can still choose to love others. The captivating lyrics of this happy song include, “I know we ain’t no angels, I know we ain’t no gods, but heaven shining down on us, ain’t no better day to love.” This might be the perfect song to play in moments where you catch yourself choosing to hate instead of love. Ultimately, you can decide to be a loving person at any moment.

16. Alive – Klingande

The optimistic song Alive by Klingande is all about fighting and overcoming the fear that makes you hide. The song is all about showing the world that you’re alive. Knowing that some of the best days are still ahead of you. You’ve been given this wonderful moment to be alive, why not let the world know that you’re among the living. If you’ve always wanted to make your mark on the world, this song is the confidence anthem all about giving you a boost in self-esteem.

17. Know Your Worth – Khalid and Disclosure

Positive songs like Know Your Worth are about overcoming bad periods and knowing that ‘somethin’ better’s waiting at your door.’ The optimistic song’s lyrics remind you to ‘keep your head up.’ It reminds you to know your worth and finding someone who will treat you well. You need to ‘find someone who will loves you at your worst.’

18. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves

One of the happiest songs in the world is Walking On Sunshine. The upbeat song is about the happiness you feel when you’re loved. But if you’re single and upset about it, it’s important to remember that love doesn’t only come from romantic relationships. And you can find happiness from being loved by friends and family. This positive bop is fun to sing and dance to. The best happy lyrics? “Walking on sunshine, I feel alive, I feel the love.”

19. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

One of the most positive songs you’ll find on this list is Journey’s big hit Don’t Stop Believing which is all about life. “Paying anything to roll the dice just one more time” reminds you that most people at the end of their life wish they had more time. So take advantage of every second you have while alive. The song reminds you to never stop believing and holding on to good feelings and the wonder that life brings you. Plus, it’s really fun to sing along to when you’re feeling sad.

20. Titanium – David Guetta and Sia

The most optimistic song you’ll find is none other than Titanium. The song is about being shot down but getting back up. The powerful lyrics. ‘You shoot me down, but I won’t fall” are about standing back up against adversity. You’re so much stronger than you realize. And this song helps you regain the strength you need to push through in tough times.

21. Celebration – Kool and the Gang

If you’re having a good day and just want to celebrate, there’s few positive songs as upbeat as Celebration. The song encourages you to ‘celebrate and have a good time.’ It’s the ultimate happy anthem for celebrating special events, such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other happy moments in your life. If you’re going through a happy event, play this happy jam and sing along to the lyrics.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for happy songs, optimistic songs, or positive songs to make your day, we hope that these upbeat anthems help brighten your day. When things are pretty rough in life, you can slowly transform your grumpy and upset mood, but changing the type of music you listen to. Read the song lyrics, memorize some happy words, and sing along to help make you a more optimistic person. If you’re trying to learn how to be happy you might want to check out one of our latest articles or follow along to our positive thinking meditation.