10 Songs That Put Me in a Good Mood

Have you ever had those moments where you’re in a bad mood and you need something to cheer you up? Well, that’s what this post is about! I’ve picked 10 of my favorite songs that always put a smile on my face whenever I’m in a bad mood. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, some of these songs may not be a surprise. Without further ado, let’s get on with the music!

10. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” (1993) by Bon Jovi

Keep the Faith (1992) is without a doubt my favorite Bon Jovi record because the band sounds refreshed and they’ve pushed their hair metal days aside, giving us a much more mature sound. There are numerous favorites from this album like “Bed of Roses,” “In These Arms,” and “If I Was Your Mother.” But I ultimately went with “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” because the chorus is so dang catchy and when the band performed it in Zurich, Switzerland on the Crush tour, Jon Bon Jovi told the crowd, “You spent too much time with those boy bands, you got a man band up here tonight, baby!” Haha!

9. “Last Rose of Summer” (1977) by Judas Priest

I’m not an expert on Judas Priest’s catalog, but I dig “Last Rose of Summer” from Sin After Sin (1977); it’s actually the main reason why I bought the album in the first place. I love the melody and orchestrated guitar parts, but also Rob Halford’s vocals on this track. His vocals sound rough, but it kind of works with “Last Rose of Summer” because of the emotion he brings to it. It’s a very enchanting piece by the band and easily one of my favorite Judas Priest songs overall.

8. “Life is a Highway” (2006) covered by Rascal Flatts, originally by Tom Cochrane in 1991

Strangely enough, the American Idol contestants covered “Life is a Highway” in season three when they still did music videos back then. While I don’t care about that version, I love the Rascal Flatts version because it reminds me of walking down Route 66 in Cars Land. I miss Disneyland so much, so hearing any music from Disneyland or Disney California Adventure gives me so much joy. For those of you that don’t know, “Life is a Highway” was covered by Rascal Flatts for the Pixar film Cars (2006). I’m not a country girl, but thanks to a touch of Disney magic, “Life is a Highway” became a hit in my book!

7. “One Time”(2009) by Justin Bieber

For years, I thought that My World (2009) was Justin Bieber’s debut album, but no, it was an EP, what the heck? I’m glad other people dig Bieber’s stuff post-puberty, but I prefer his sweet high-pitched voice because he was so innocent, and his pop tunes were really catchy and relatable. While everyone else thought he was a girl when the first single came out, I knew Bieber wasn’t a girl because I was lucky enough to see the music video first. The old Justin Bieber brings back so much nostalgia and happy times in my life, that I couldn’t help but pick “One Time” because I had to pay tribute to my first childhood crush.

6. “What Do You Do For Money Honey” (1980) by AC/DC

I was torn between “Gone Shootin’” and “What Do You Do For Money Honey,” but I went with my gut and chose the latter. Everytime that song comes on, I’m like, “YES!!!” because I know I’ll be in for a real treat. Being new to AC/DC’s catalog last year, “What Do You Do For Money Honey” was one of the songs that stuck with me after watching Stiff Upper Lip Live (2001) for the first time on YouTube. It’s on the band’s best-selling album, Back in Black (1980), yet they mostly focused on the title track, “Shoot to Thrill,” “Hells Bells,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” whenever they went on tour. But why would they do that when they have headbangers like “What Do You Do For Money Honey”? Oh, it’s because they have to play for the casual fans, my bad!

5. “River of Love” (1991) by Richie Sambora

Even if you’re not a fan of Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora’s first solo record is worth a listen because he easily has a better voice than Jon Bon Jovi. Not that Sambora’s other two solo records are awful, but I’ve always preferred his first one because of his emotional performance on Stranger in This Town (1991). I’ve always thought Sambora was a pretty guy, but “River of Love” took his pretty boy status up another level, especially with those growls. The lyrics are sexual and Sambora sings every word like he means it!

4. “Na Na Na” (2011) by One Direction

It’s so unfair how “Na Na Na” wasn’t released on the band’s Up All Night (2011) album, along with “Another World.” It would’ve been a perfect album if they got rid of “Stole My Heart” and “Taken,” and replaced them with “Na Na Na” and “Another World.” The chorus is simple, yet so dang catchy and again, the boys were young and innocent back then. Before the music world and boyband life took its toll on One Direction, the only real drama within the group was that Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan didn’t get enough solos. For the longest time, “Na Na Na” wasn’t on Spotify until about a year or two ago, and when I finally found the song on there, it was one of the greatest days of my life! 

3. “High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)” (1981) by Def Leppard

“High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)” is on My Top Ten Def Leppard Songs post, and I ranked it number five. Same thing with AC/DC’s “What Do You Do For Money Honey,” as soon as I hear the opening riff, I prepare myself for the magic my ears are about to be blessed with. I created a dream setlist for Def Leppard in early April and “High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)” was easily on my setlist because it’s Def Leppard at its meanest and finest. Not that I don’t like anything from Hysteria (1987) and onward, but I wish the boys would bring back their older stuff and write more headbanging tunes like they used to. I know they can do it; Def Leppard is my favorite band of all time, yet, I complain about them a lot because I know they have potential to be bigger than they are now. I know the casual fans would dig the heavy riffs from their first two albums, if they just gave them a chance. 

2. “It’s a Small World” (1963) by Richard and Robert Sherman

You’re either one of those people that love “It’s a Small World” or one of those that can’t stand it. I cannot count how many times I randomly started singing “It’s a Small World” because it’s usually when I least expect it. Like after I fed my dog the other night, I started singing “It’s a Small World,” and I wasn’t even watching a Disney video beforehand. The song is so happy and makes me miss Disneyland even more. Walt Disney was about bringing peace and harmony to this world, and that’s what “It’s a Small World” is all about!

1. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (1987) by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

I wish I could remember how I discovered “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” but I know it was covered on Glee and I’ve pretty much heard this song my whole life because it’s a classic. “My Heart Will Go On” is easily my favorite song from a movie soundtrack, but “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” is my second favorite song from a movie soundtrack. I went through a C. Thomas Howell phase in 2018, where I started watching The Outsiders (1983), Secret Admirer (1985), The Hitcher (1986), and Soul Man (1986). Since I was in an 80s mood, I ended up watching Dirty Dancing (1987) somewhere down the line and it became easily one of my favorite movies, next to The Outsiders. 

There you have it! Those are 10 songs that always put me in a good mood, no matter how horrible my day was. So let me know in the comments below what are some songs that put you in a good mood no matter what!

Take care and see you real soon!

Lana