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The 31 Best Songs to Wake Up to Each and Every Morning
A little Beyoncé will put a smile on your face.
The secret to rising and shining with glee may be hidden in your playlist. In 2016, psychologist David M. Greenberg and Spotify's data team found that songs with a slow build, a positive message, and a strong beat will help you wake up in a better mood. If getting out of a bed is a struggle, these 31 songs will make your mornings a bit brighter.
"Break My Soul," by Beyoncé
Two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the uplifting lyrics (e.g. “I'm lookin' for motivation / I'm lookin' for a new foundation, yeah / And I'm on that new vibration”) against the thumping dance beat in Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” the lead single off her forthcoming seventh studio solo album, Renaissance, pretty much sum up how we're all feeling.
"Brave," by Sara Bareilles
You'll believe you can conquer anything when waking up to Sara Bareilles's "Brave." Hillary Clinton used it as one of her entrance songs during her 2016 presidential campaign. In Bareilles's 2015 memoir, she wrote that the track's message focuses on how "we could try to be stronger than our weaknesses, and shine a light on something better."
"Lovely Day," by Bill Withers
Try singing these words of encouragement to yourself in the mirror each morning: "When the day that lies ahead of me seems impossible to face. When someone else instead of me always seems to know the way. Then I look at you, and the world's all right with me. Just one look at you, and I know it's gonna be a lovely day." Oh, and bonus points if you hold the long note at the end.
"Run the World (Girls)," by Beyoncé
How could you not feel like you can crush the day when starting your morning off with Beyoncé's hit 2011 single? After asking yourself who runs the world, insert your name in the chorus for an extra boost.
"Beautiful," by Christina Aguilera
Turn on Christina Aguilera's powerful 2002 ballad when you need a confidence boost in the morning. It's all about embracing your flaws and insecurities and believing you're beautiful in spite of them.
"The Cure," by Lady Gaga
The pulsating beat of Lady Gaga's feel-good anthem will certainly help you get out of bed. When premiering the song during her headlining set at Coachella in 2017, Gaga told the crowd,"I have been through so much in my life, and I’ve seen so much. You cure me every time with your love." May it be the remedy to your darker days ahead, too.
"I Smile," by Kirk Franklin
Keep Kirk Franklin's gospel song in your morning rotation and be sure to wake up with a smile, just like the cheerful track urges. "'I Smile' is a fun, urban upbeat melody I wrote," Franklin told SongFacts.com in 2011. "It is a declarative statement that I’m not going to live my life based on how I feel. I will live my life based on God’s Word."
"A Thousand Miles," by Vanessa Carlton
Besides the incredible piano segment of the 2002 megahit that catapulted Vanessa Carlton into stardom, it's the powerful lyrics that have kept us singing along all these years. "It's such a miracle to have one song that pierces through everybody's space and every culture," Carlton told Elle in 2017.
"Stronger," by Kelly Clarkson
This catchy song is a reminder that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Cue up the 2011 track at the gym if you enjoy working out in the mornings. It'll definitely help you push through those reps.
"Soak Up the Sun," by Sheryl Crow
Open up the blinds and blast Sheryl Crow's 2002 hit single while preparing for your day. It's just the infectious nudging you need when telling yourself "to lighten up."
"No Tears Left to Cry," by Ariana Grande
When it's hard to find the energy to emerge from the comfort of your bed, Ariana Grande's 2018 single will do the trick. In a behind-the-scenes video, director Dave Meyers spoke about the theme of the song and visual. "The concept that we wanted to explore was the disorientation that you go through in life, and the quest we all go through to find the ground again," Meyers said. "We sort of explore the ambiguity of whether we need to find the ground or the ground is just what you make of it. It relates to the optimism in her song."
"Respect," by Aretha Franklin
Although this song was originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965, the late Aretha Franklin turned it into a smash anthem for women in 1967. Put this on repeat after hitting the alarm clock to boost your self-esteem and to remember how much you're worth throughout the day.
"Skyscraper," by Demi Lovato
Not all morning songs have to be upbeat or energetic dance tracks to make you feel better about yourself. Demi Lovato's heartfelt 2011 song is an example of that. If you've been feeling down lately, Lovato's "Skyscraper" will help you to remember that you're built for tough times and words can't tear you down.
"Hello, Good Morning," by Diddy
Say buh-bye to your groggy self the minute you hit play on Diddy's 2010 song "Hello, Good Morning," featuring Atlanta rapper T.I. You'll practically be dancing your way from under the covers after one listen.
"Happy Face," by Destiny's Child
This 2001 song by Destiny's Child is a three-minute long affirmation set to music and impressive harmonies. Here, the trio encourage listeners to tap into their inner child in order to appreciate the small, mundane things encountered each day. Try to resist smiling when repeating this line from the chorus: "I'm living, I'm able, I'm breathing, I'm grateful, to put on my happy face."
"Stronger," by Britney Spears
Not to be confused with the aforementioned track by Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears's 2000 pop hit is a feminist battle cry. If you woke up with a case of the loneliness, this is the perfect song for singles to rock out to before breakfast. Reminder: You are stronger than you were yesterday, and your loneliness doesn't have to hinder you anymore.
"Three Little Birds," by Bob Marley
Get a jump start on your morning gratitude list with Bob Marley's laid-back jam playing in the background. Marley's message is about overcoming adversity and understanding that "every little thing is going to be all right," no matter what comes your way for the day.
"Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" by Shania Twain
Shania Twain's 1997 feel-good song includes lyrics about being fearless and recalling a fun night out on the town. But you can still listen to the upbeat track before rolling out of bed. Twain's "let's go, girls" adlibs are just the jolt you'll need, giving you more energy for the day than any cup of coffee could.
"It Was a Good Day," by Ice Cube
Things could always be worse, as evidenced in this 1992 rap song by Ice Cube. From the second the song starts, there's this positive line: "Just waking up in the morning gotta thank God." Ah, perspective.
"Roar," by Katy Perry
We can't promise Katy Perry's anthemic pop song will turn you away from the pillows, but it'll certainly put you in a more positive headspace for the day ahead with these motivational lyrics: "I got the eye of the tiger...a fighter, dancing through the fire. 'Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar."
Michelle is the Culture & News Writer for OprahMag.com, where she writes about celebrities (she considers herself an expert on Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon), plus the latest in pop-culture news, binge-worthy TV shows, and movies. The transplanted Southerner turned ambitious New Yorker lives her best life by listening to hip-hop and Pod Save America, watching The Office on repeat, quoting Oprah-isms, eating dessert before dinner, and avoiding avocado. Seriously, she doesn’t get the hype.
It should say, “Michelle is the former Culture & News Writer for Oprahmag.com...”
Princess Gabbara is the Senior Culture Editor at Oprah Daily, where she oversees the site’s TV, movies, and music coverage. Before joining Oprah Daily, she served as Bustle’s lifestyle editor and as the sole web editor at Rachael Ray Every Day. Her bylines have appeared in Billboard, MTV News, Bitch Media, and Shondaland. Her career highlights include exclusive interview coverage of celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Venus and Serena Williams, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, and Billy Porter. Follow her on Twitter
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