Music is one of those things that can drastically change your mood. It can even improve your mood long term, like the 2013 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology that found people who listened to upbeat music could improve their moods and boost their happiness in just two weeks. While the long term benefits are important, I've also found that some music creates a positive affect immediately. And on days like today, I need that positive boost sooner than later.
So, here's a list of songs that are my "Go to Good Mood." Here's to early mornings and never ending work days.
1. Hall and Oates- You Make My Dreams Come True
This song pretty much makes all my dreams come true. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, including a spontaneous music sing-a-long dancing sequence (thanks 500 Days of Summer). Do you feel better yet?
2. Van Morrison- Dancing in the Moonlight
This one is definitely a supernatural delight. My close friends know me well enough to put this on every single mixed CD they make me.You can't dance and stay uptight
3. Beyonce- Love on Top
If you can't admit your love of this Beyonce throwback, then you don't deserve a Beyonce throwback. If you can appreciate it, then you deserve someone wearing a leotard, wearing whatever kind of hat that is putting your love on top! Bring the beat in!
4. The Lumineers- Dead Sea
While The Lumineers' song Ho Hey is pretty darn great, this lesser well-known song by them will forever put a smile on my face. It may sound almost sad, but when you listen closely, it's an absolutely heartwarming message.
I never sink when you are with me
5. Billy Joel- Vienna
Forever on my top five list of songs. The message behind this song is one of my favorite stories and confirms my undying love for Billy Joel.
"So I go to visit my father in Vienna, I'm walking around this town and I see this old lady. She must have been about 90 years old and she is sweeping the street. I say to my father, "What's this nice old lady doing sweeping the street?" He says, "She's got a job, she feels useful, she's happy, she's making the street clean, she's not put out to pasture." We treat old people in this country pretty badly. We put them in rest homes, we kinda kick them under the rug and make believe they don't exist. They [the people in Vienna] don't feel like that. In a lot of these older places in the world, they value their older people and their older people feel they can still be a part of the community and I thought, "This is a terrific idea - that old people are useful - and that means I don't have to worry so much about getting old because I can still have a use in this world in my old age." I thought, "Vienna waits for you..."
So, there you have it. Those are my feel-good-go-to songs. Now, go forth and conquer today.
