The headlines lately have been grim. So, to lift your spirits, USA TODAY (and a few helpers) assembled a list of 100 songs to make you smile and ease your worries — at least for a few minutes.
— April 28th, 2020
1. “Happy,” Pharrell (2013): When bad news comes, talking this and that, this song brings the positivity.
2. “Better Be Good to Me,” Tina Turner (1984): If there’s a bad Tina Turner song, we’ve yet to hear it.
3. “Blessed,” Elton John (1995): “I promise you that, promise you that, promise you that // You’ll be blessed.” Thanks, Elton.
4. “Neutron Dance,” Pointer Sisters (1983): Those shoulder pads! Vintage 1980s.
5. “24K Magic,” Bruno Mars (2016): Hard to pick just one Bruno Mars song
6. “Rainbow,” Kacey Musgraves (2018): A good reminder that there’s a rainbow waiting for us on the other side of troubled times.
7. “Good as Hell,” Lizzo (2016): Lizzo knows her worth. Do you?
8. “I Feel for You,” Chaka Khan (1984): “Let me rock you, that’s all I wanna do”
9. “You Make My Dreams,” Daryl Hall and John Oates (1980): Love that ‘stache, Oates.
10. “Don’t Stop Me Now,” Queen (1978): Stop yourself from going out and dance with Mister Fahrenheit instead.
11. “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” New Kids on the Block (1988): Your little sister totally had a crush on Joey.
12. “Shiny Happy People,” R.E.M. (2003): There’s that word again … happy.
13. “Can’t Feel My Face,” The Weeknd (2015): “But I love it, but I love it, oh”
14. “Count Your Blessings,” Nas and Damian Marley (2010): “Give thanks to the master”
15. “Three Little Birds,” Bob Marley and the Wailers (1984): The calming vibes and lyrics like “Every little thing’s gonna be alright” is a welcome escape.
16. “Swingin’,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1999): No need to be Petty, now or ever.
17. “Shining Star,” Earth, Wind and Fire (1975): “You’re a shining star // No matter who you are”
18. “Everyday People,” Sly and the Family Stone (1969): We’re all in this together.
19. “Dancing Queen,” Abba (1976): We saw you jamming to this one at the grocery store.
20. “Come Together,” The Beatles (1969): The right message at the right time.
21. “Margaritaville,” Jimmy Buffett (1977): We could all use a margarita — or three — right about now.
22. “Little of Your Love,” HAIM (2017): “You gotta give me just a little of your love, baby”
23. “Friends in Low Places,” Garth Brooks (1990): We’re singing “I’ll be OK” a little louder now.
24. “The Glory,” Kanye West (2007): One of many hits from Kim Kardashian’s hubby.
25. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey (1981): “Just a city boy // Born and raised in South Detroit // He took the midnight train goin’ anywhere”
26. “Get Together,” Jesse Colin Young (1988): Smile on your brother. And your sister. And your neighbors. And, well, everyone.
27. “What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong (1967): That voice quells anxiety every time.
28. “It’s Gonna Be Me,” NSYNC (2000): It’s gonna be May before this mess is over, some experts claim.
29. “Enjoy the Silence,” Depeche Mode (1990): Lots and lots of silence right now, thanks to all the self-quarantining.
30. “I Knew I Loved You,” Savage Garden (1999): A sweet, sweet love song.
32. “Everybody,” Backstreet Boys (1997): “Backstreet’s back all right “
33. “Barbie Girl,” Aqua (1997): Guaranteed to get stuck in your head. (Sorry.)
34. “Dynamite,” Taio Cruz (2009): Dance party of one, anyone?
35. “Fine by Me,” Andy Grammer (2012): Don’t agree with this pick? It’s “Fine by Me.”
36. “Love Shack,” The B-52s (1989): “Tin roof / Rusted!”
37. “Halo,” Beyonce (2008): We could use an angel or two right about now.
38. “Caribbean Queen,” Billy Ocean (1984): An R&B classic.
39. “…Baby One More Time,” Britney Spears (1998): She’s a lovable hot mess. (Aren’t we all, though?)
40. “The Ghost Inside,” Broken Bells (2010): A unique sound that draws you right in.
For the full list, click here.
