The Ultimate Feel-Good Songs Through the Decades (1960s-2020s)

For those days you need a pick-me-up, or those evenings you just want to let loose and dance, this is the playlist for you!

We’ve taken a trip through the decades to bring you a truly iconic collection of feel-good songs, starting from the 1960s all the way through to the 2020s.

Revisit some classics, or go back to the decade you were on the dance floor. There’s also plenty of opportunity to fall in love with lots of new music, too!

If you love the selections, you’ll also love our iconic selection of summer songs, too. Get singing, get dancing, and get friends and loved ones involved! The printable and the link to the playlist are at the end of the article.

1960s

• “Twistin’ the Night Away” Sam Cooke
• “Twist and Shout” The Beatles
• “Surfin’ U.S.A.” The Beach Boys
• “I’m Into Something Good” Herman’s Hermits
• “Feeling Good” Nina Simone
• “I Got You (I Feel Good)” James Brown
• “My Favorite Things” Julie Andrews
• “Do You Believe in Magic” The Lovin’ Spoonful
• “Feelin’ Groovy” Simon & Garfunkel
• “I’m a Believer” The Monkees
• “Good Day Sunshine” The Beatles
• “Happy Together” The Turtles
• “Daydream Believer” The Monkees
• “A Little Less Conversation” Elvis Presley
• “A Beautiful Morning” The Rascals
• “Here Comes The Sun” The Beatles
• “Sweet Caroline” Neil Diamond

1970s

• “Move On Up” Curtis Mayfield
• “In the Summertime” Mungo Jerry
• “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night
• “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” Edison Lighthouse
• “Wild Night” Van Morrison
• “I Can See Clearly Now” Johnny Nash
• “Listen to the Music” The Doobie Brothers
• “Top of the World” The Carpenters
• “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” Stevie Wonder
• “Dancing in the Moonlight” King Harvest
• “Happy” The Rolling Stones
• “Mamma Mia” ABBA
• “Boogie Shoes” KC & The Sunshine Band
• “Dancing Queen” ABBA
• “On Your Face” Earth, Wind & Fire
• “The Rubberband Man” The Spinners
• “Three Little Birds” Bob Marley & The Wailers
• “Mr. Blue Sky” Electric Light Orchestra
• “Lovely Day” Bill Withers
• “Don’t Stop Me Now” Queen
• “September” Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Blame It on the Boogie” The Jacksons
• “Don’t Bring Me Down” Electric Light Orchestra
• “Good Times” Chic

1980s

• “You Make My Dreams” Hall & Oates
• “Celebration” Kool & The Gang
• “Start Me Up” The Rolling Stones
• “Don’t Stop Believin’” Journey
• “Karma Chameleon” Culture Club
• “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” Cyndi Lauper
• “What a Feeling” Irene Cara
• “I Want to Break Free” Queen
• “Footloose” Kenny Loggins
• “Jump” Van Halen
• “Walking on Sunshine” Katrina & The Waves
• “Walk of Life” Dire Straits
• “The Power of Love” Huey Lewis and the News
• “Dancing on the Ceiling” Lionel Richie
• “La Bamba” Los Lobos
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” Whitney Houston
• “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” Belinda Carlisle
• “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” Bobby McFerrin

1990s

• “Groove Is in the Heart” Deee-Lite
• “Sunshine On a Rainy Day” Zoë
• “Shiny Happy People” R.E.M.
• “Good Vibrations” Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
• “Send Me on My Way” Rusted Root
• “Friday I’m in Love” The Cure
• “Moving on Up” M People
• “Over the Rainbow” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
• “Live Forever” Oasis
• “Lifted” Lighthouse Family
• “I’ll Be There for You” The Rembrandts
• “Tubthumping” Chumbawamba
• “It Feels So Good” Sonique

2000s

• “Beautiful Day” U2
• “Dancing in the Moonlight” Toploader
• “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” Jet
• “Hey Ya!” OutKast
• “Float On” Modest Mouse
• “Hollaback Girl” Gwen Stefani
• “New Shoes” Paolo Nutini
• “Put Your Records On” Corinne Bailey Rae
• “Lollipop” MIKA
• “Pocketful of Sunshine” Natasha Bedingfield
• “Dog Days Are Over” Florence + The Machine
• “I Gotta Feeling” Black Eyed Peas

2010s

• “Raise Your Glass” P!nk
• “Good Life” OneRepublic
• “Brighter than the Sun” Colbie Caillat
• “Can’t Hold Us” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton
• “Sky on Fire” Handsome Poets
• “On Top of the World” Imagine Dragons
• “Good Time” Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
• “Happy” Pharrell Williams
• “Best Day of My Life” American Authors
• “It’s a Beautiful Day” Michael Bublé
• “Heroes (We Could Be)” Alesso & Tove Lo
• “Cheerleader” OMI
• “Shake It Off” Taylor Swift
• “Uptown Funk” Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars
• “Better When I’m Dancin’” Meghan Trainor
• “Cake by the Ocean” DNCE
• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” Justin Timberlake
• “Despacito” Luis Fonsi
• “Living My Best Life” Ben Rector
• “Sunday Best” Surfaces
• “Watermelon Sugar” Harry Styles

2020s

• “Levitating” Dua Lipa
• “Sunroof” Nicky Youre & Dazy
• “I Ain’t Worried” OneRepublic
• “Dance the Night” Dua Lipa
• “Hot to go!” Chappell Roan
• “Lil Boo Thang” Paul Russell
• “Belong Together” Mark Ambor
• “Espresso” Sabrina Carpenter
• “Ordinary” Alex Warren