20 Best Songs That Make You Feel Good

Feature Photo: By NBC Television (eBay item photo front publicity release) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Music has an uncanny ability to lift the spirit, and this list of the 20 best songs that make you feel good spans genres, decades, and emotions. From timeless classics to innovative masterpieces, each song brings its own combination of melody, performance, and personality. Some explode with energy, while others find joy in reflection, love, nature, or simply being alive. What they all share is the ability to lift the room when they come on.

Electric Light Orchestra opens the list with the brilliant “Mr. Blue Sky,” while the Beach Boys close it with “Good Vibrations.” In between are songs by the Beatles, Chicago, John Denver, Grand Funk, Carole King, Billy Joel, James Brown, U2, Al Green, Laura Nyro, the Young Rascals, and more. These are records that can change your mood in a matter of seconds, which is exactly why they belong here.

# 20 – Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

One of the most exuberant entries on this list, “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra radiates pure joy through its bright orchestration and optimistic spirit. Jeff Lynne wrote and produced the song for ELO’s 1977 album Out of the Blue. He has recalled that the idea came to him in Switzerland after days of miserable weather suddenly gave way to sunshine and clear blue skies. The recording was made at Musicland Studios in Munich with Lynne, Bev Bevan, Richard Tandy, Kelly Groucutt, and the band’s string players. The arrangement keeps building with piano, strings, stacked vocals, and the unmistakable ELO sense of drama. “Mr. Blue Sky” reached number six in the UK and number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

# 19 – Getting Better – The Beatles

Optimism takes center stage in “Getting Better,” one of the brightest tracks on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The song was written primarily by Paul McCartney with lyrical contributions from John Lennon and carries the Lennon-McCartney credit. The Beatles began recording it at EMI Studios in London on March 9, 1967, with George Martin producing. McCartney’s buoyant bass and vocal sit against a rhythm track that keeps pushing the song forward. Lennon also gives the lyric some needed tension, preventing the optimism from becoming too simple. The result is one of the Beatles’ most memorable musical statements about trying to move life in a better direction.

# 18 – Tie – Make Me Smile / Saturday in the Park – Chicago

“Make Me Smile” radiates the kind of musical joy that made Chicago such a unique band during its early years. Written by James Pankow, the song was part of the “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon” suite on Chicago II and was produced by James William Guercio. Terry Kath’s lead vocal and guitar give the song its emotional force while the horn section sends it soaring. If we are talking Chicago and happy songs, however, we also have to include “Saturday in the Park.” Robert Lamm wrote that song for Chicago V, and it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Putting these two together makes perfect sense because both capture Chicago at its most joyful and alive.

# 17 – Bang the Drum All Day – Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren’s “Bang the Drum All Day” is pure musical rebellion wrapped in one of the most infectious choruses of the 1980s. The song appeared on The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect and was released as a single in 1983. Rundgren wrote, produced, and performed all the instruments on the track. It was recorded at Utopia Sound Studios, where he handled the entire production himself. The arrangement is deliberately simple, playful, and repetitive in exactly the right way. Sometimes feeling good is as easy as refusing to work and banging on a drum all day.

# 16 – Sunshine on My Shoulders – John Denver

It’s John Denver, the man who made everyone happy. It’s as simple as that. “Sunshine on My Shoulders” first appeared on his 1971 album Poems, Prayers & Promises. Denver wrote the song with Dick Kniss and Mike Taylor, and Milt Okun produced the recording. Released later as a single, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. Few songs capture the peaceful feeling of warmth, light, and gratitude as naturally as this one.

# 15 – Music – John Miles

“Music” by John Miles captures the transformative power of music in a way that few songs achieve. Featured on his debut album, Rebel, the song was recorded in 1975 at Abbey Road Studios in London. Alan Parsons produced the recording, while Andrew Powell supplied the orchestral arrangement. Miles’ piano, guitar, keyboards, and lead vocal carry the song from intimate reflection into a huge symphonic rock statement. The shifts between quiet passages and full orchestral power are breathtaking. If you have never heard this song, I highly recommend that you take the time to watch the video below because this is truly a breathtaking musical piece and performance.

# 14 – Some Kind of Wonderful – Grand Funk

Grand Funk’s rendition of “Some Kind of Wonderful” turns a great soul song into a joyous rock and roll celebration. John Ellison wrote the song, and the Soul Brothers Six first recorded it in 1967. Grand Funk recorded its version for the 1974 album All the Girls in the World Beware!!!. Jimmy Ienner produced the album at the Swamp, Mark Farner’s studio on his farm in Parshallville, Michigan. Farner’s lead vocal, Mel Schacher’s bass, and Don Brewer’s drums give the record a wonderfully direct groove. It is simple, soulful, and impossible not to sing along with.

# 13 – Jazzman – Carole King

Carole King’s “Jazzman” embodies the joy of music and the way a great player can completely transform a room. The song appeared on her 1974 album Wrap Around Joy. King wrote the music, David Palmer wrote the lyrics, and Lou Adler produced the album. Tom Scott’s saxophone performance is one of the defining sounds of the recording. King’s warm vocal gives the song a feeling of admiration that never sounds forced. “Jazzman” reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of her most uplifting recordings.

# 12 – Keeping the Faith – Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s “Keeping the Faith” is a lively ode to nostalgia, resilience, and the strange little things we remember from our youth. The song closes his 1983 album An Innocent Man. Phil Ramone produced the album, while Joel surrounded the track with horns, rhythm, and the kind of street-corner energy that runs through much of the record. The lyrics look back with humor instead of pretending the past was perfect. That balance gives the song its warmth and keeps it from becoming sentimental. It is one of Joel’s best reminders that remembering where you came from can make the present feel a little better.

# 11 – Ol’ ’55 – Tom Waits

Tom Waits’ “Ol’ ’55” has a warm, reflective quality that captures the quiet joy of driving away as the morning begins. The song opens his 1973 debut album, Closing Time. Waits wrote it, played piano, and delivered the understated lead vocal. Jerry Yester produced the recording during sessions held at Sunset Sound and United Western in Hollywood. The arrangement gives the song plenty of open space, which makes every line feel personal. It is not a loud feel-good song, but its mix of freedom, memory, and early-morning light earns it a place here.

# 10 – I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown

James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” may be the most direct feel-good song on this entire list. Brown wrote and produced the hit recording, which was made at Criteria Studios in Miami in 1965. His band included Maceo Parker and Nat Jones on saxophones, Jimmy Nolen on guitar, and Melvin Parker on drums. Brown’s voice, the horn punches, and the relentless groove make the record explode from the opening seconds. The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B chart. When Brown says he feels good, there is simply no way not to believe him.

# 9 – Beautiful Day – U2

U2’s “Beautiful Day” is an anthem of resilience and hope that turns loss into a reason to keep moving forward. Released in 2000, the song became the lead single from All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno produced the recording, which U2 developed at the band’s HQ studio in Dublin. Bono’s vocal and the Edge’s ringing guitar give the song an enormous sense of lift. The message is not that life is perfect, but that there is still beauty worth seeing when things go wrong. That makes it one of the strongest modern feel-good songs on this list.

# 8 – We’ve Only Just Begun – The Carpenters

The Carpenters’ “We’ve Only Just Begun” is a beautiful celebration of beginnings and the hope of building a life together. Paul Williams and Roger Nichols wrote the song originally for a Crocker Bank television commercial. Richard Carpenter heard it, realized there was a complete song behind the commercial, and brought it to the Carpenters. Jack Daugherty produced the recording, while Richard Carpenter arranged it and Karen Carpenter delivered the unforgettable lead vocal. Released in 1970 on Close to You, the song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its sense of possibility has made it one of the duo’s signature recordings.

# 7 – Out in the Country – Three Dog Night

“Out in the Country” by Three Dog Night captures the need to escape the noise and find some room to breathe. Paul Williams and Roger Nichols wrote the song, and Richard Podolor produced the group’s recording. It was recorded in 1969 and appeared on the 1970 album It Ain’t Easy. The harmonies and relaxed arrangement make the song feel like a drive away from the city with the windows down. There is also an environmental message underneath its easygoing surface. The single reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, proving that a song about getting away from everything could connect with a lot of people.

# 6 – Love and Happiness – Al Green

“Love and Happiness” by Al Green is one of the great examples of joy and soul living in the same groove. Green wrote the song with guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges. The recording was made at Royal Studios in Memphis and produced by Al Green and Willie Mitchell. Teenie Hodges, Charles Hodges, Leroy Hodges, and Howard Grimes helped give the track the unmistakable Hi Records sound. Green moves from a whisper to a cry without ever losing the relaxed pocket of the band. The song understands that love and happiness can be complicated, which somehow makes the groove feel even better.

# 5 – Save the Country – Laura Nyro

Laura Nyro’s “Save the Country” turns anger, grief, hope, and gospel spirit into a call for people to come together. Nyro began writing the song during the violent political year of 1968, with the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy hanging over the country. She first released the song as a single in 1968 and later recorded another version for New York Tendaberry. Nyro produced the album version herself, with Roy Halee engineering the sessions. The song mixes gospel, soul, pop, and protest music without losing the personal intensity of her performance. Its belief that people can still build something better makes it one of the most powerful feel-good choices on this list.

# 4 – A Beautiful Morning – The Rascals

“A Beautiful Morning” by the Rascals is exactly what its title promises. Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati wrote the song, which was recorded at A&R Studios in New York in March 1968. The Rascals produced the recording, with Arif Mardin contributing to the arrangement. It was the group’s first single released after dropping “Young” from the band name. Cavaliere’s vocal and the bright arrangement make the entire record feel like stepping outside into a perfect day. The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the great records about simply being happy to be alive.

# 3 – Groovin’ – The Young Rascals

The Young Rascals’ “Groovin'” perfectly captures the bliss of a carefree Sunday afternoon. Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati wrote the song, which the group recorded in New York in March 1967. The Rascals produced the recording, and the relaxed arrangement brought Latin and soul influences into the band’s sound. Cavaliere’s gentle lead vocal makes the song feel almost weightless. Released in 1967, “Groovin'” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. More than anything, it sounds like having nowhere you have to be and nobody you would rather be with.

# 2 – Good Morning Starshine – Hair Soundtrack

“Good Morning Starshine” brings the joy of the stage musical Hair into Miloš Forman’s 1979 film adaptation. Galt MacDermot wrote the music, while James Rado and Gerome Ragni wrote the lyrics. In the film, Beverly D’Angelo leads the performance as Sheila, joined by other members of the cast. The song is playful, strange, bright, and completely committed to its own sense of wonder. D’Angelo’s presence gives the scene a warmth that makes the number especially memorable. It is almost impossible to hear this version without feeling the mood lighten.

# 1 – Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys

Closing this list with “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys feels like the perfect choice because the song is pure joy and creative brilliance. Brian Wilson composed and produced the recording, with Mike Love contributing the lyrics. Released as a single in October 1966, it became a number one hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Wilson built the record from sections captured across multiple Los Angeles studios, using Beach Boys vocals alongside an extraordinary group of session musicians. The shifts in tempo, texture, harmony, and instrumentation should make the song feel fragmented, but somehow they make it feel even more alive. Few records in pop history have ever sounded this adventurous while still making people smile almost instantly.