Pass the hours away with music in your heart
Current hits, retro treasures, feel-good faves: A 100-song playlist to soothe your soul.
The headlines lately have been grim. ❚ The coronavirus pandemic has killed thousands worldwide and sickened many others. It has prompted most entertainers to cancel their tours and, like the rest of us, stay home. ❚ To help pass the time, and lift your spirits, USA TODAY (and a few helpers) assembled a list of 100 songs that are either fun, catchy or upbeat and will – we hope – make you smile and ease your worries, at least for a few minutes. They’re a mix of currents and retro hits from all genres, presented in no particular order. ❚ From our playlist to yours, enjoy!
100 songs to get you smiling amid a pandemic
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.
31. “Girl You Know It’s True,” Milli Vanilli (1988): Yes, they were impostors, but the song’s still solid.
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,” Beyoncé (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.
41. “Biggest Part of Me,” Ambrosia (1980): An ’80s classic.
42. “Never Gonna Let You Go,” Sergio Mendes (1983): “I’m never gonna let you go/I’m gonna hold you in my arms forever” – a song to serenade your partner in quarantine.
43. “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” George Michael and Aretha Franklin (1987): Two legends unite.
44. “Sucker,” Jonas Brothers (2019): The JoBros make the list. Natch.
45. “Gotta Tell You,” Samantha Mumba (2000): A one-hit wonder that gets us dancing.
46. “Trippin,” Conro (2018): Never forget: “Ain’t nobody like you.”
47. “I’m So Into You,” SWV (1992): “You are so fine/You blow my mind”
48. “I Found My Soul at Marvingate,” Mono Mind (2018): Funky. In a good way.
49. “Romantic,” Karyn White (1991): Feeling romantic? Some say we’ll see a baby boom nine months from now.
50. “Feelin’ Alright,” Joe Cocker (1969): We wish we could say the same. Soon, maybe.
51. “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Justin Timberlake (2016): Try to forget this was part of the “Trolls” soundtrack.
52. “HandClap,” Fitz and the Tantrums (2016): Clapping is mandatory.
53. “Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen (2011): We’ll definitely call you, Carly Rae.
54. “You’re the Inspiration,” Chicago (1984): We could all use some inspiration in our lives.
55. “Crush,” David Archuleta (2008): One of two songs to make the list with this title.
56. “Bug-A-Boo,” Destiny’s Child (1999): A “TRL” staple. We’re feeling nostalgic, what can we say?
57. “Good Feeling,” Flo Rida (2011): We’re holding on to a “Good Feeling” about the future.
58. “Helena Beat,” Foster the People (2011): “I took a sip of something poison but I’ll hold on tight”
59. “Fancy,” Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX (2014): We wish we were this “Fancy.”
60. “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy (2018): We picked this one because ... duh.
61. “No Letting Go,” Wayne Wonder (2002): Don’t let go of hope.
62. “Shake It,” Metro Station (2007): Shake your booty to this one.
63. “One Step at a Time,” Jordin Sparks (2007): An “American Idol” standout hits the big time.
64. “Just Dance,” Lady Gaga (2008): Actually, anything from Gaga should do the trick.
65. “Lucky Star,” Madonna (1983): When you wish upon a star ...
66. “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5 (2010): Hiiiiiiiiii, Adam Levine.
67. “Pound the Alarm,” Nicki Minaj (2012): A great party track that sounds just as good in our living room as the club.
68. “Good Time,” Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen (2012): “It’s always a good time” as long as we practice social distancing, right?
69. “Fun,” Pitbull featuring Chris Brown (2014): Something “Fun” to lighten the mood.
70. “Crush,” Jennifer Paige (1996): The other “Crush” on our list.
71. “Don’t Stop the Music,” Rihanna (2008): Seriously, music is the only thing keeping us sane right now.
72. “C’est La Vie,” Robbie Nevil (1986): Remember him? Yeah, we didn’t think so. Still, listen to the song.
73. “I Love Your Smile,” Shanice (1991): You can thank my dentist for these pearly whites.
74. “Drive By,” Train (2012): “Oh I swear to ya, I’ll be there for ya/This is not a drive by”
75. “How Will I Know,” Whitney Houston (1985): We miss you, Whitney.
76. “Scream & Shout,” Will.i.am featuring Britney Spears (2012): It’s what happens when you’re cooped up in close quarters with loved ones.
77. “Rainbow Connection,” Kermit the Frog (1979): Because ... the Muppets.
78. “Fergalicious,” Fergie (2006): “I be up in the gym just working on my fitness” is what we’re singing while doing push ups in our living room. 79. “Where Is the Love,” Black Eyed Peas (2003): We could certainly use more in the world today.
80. “The Power of Love,” Celine Dion (1993): “Even though there may be times/It seems I’m far away/Never wonder where I am/’Cause I am always by your side”
81. “Shut Up and Dance,” Walk the Moon (2014): Go ahead and dance. No one’s looking. 82. “Heart of Rock and Roll,” Huey Lewis and the News (1983): This news isn’t fake news.
83. “Straight Up,” Paula Abdul (1988): “Do you really wanna love me forever/Or am I caught in a hit-andrun?”
84. “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” Rod Stewart (1978): Well, do you?
85. “Always Be My Baby,” Mariah Carey (1995): Hey, we could’ve picked one of her Christmas tracks. You’re welcome.
86. “Feel Good Inc.,” Gorillaz (2005): It’s the foot-tapping feeling and not necessarily the lyrics that put this song on our list.
87. “I Love It,” Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX (2012): Bet you’ll love it.
88. “Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man (2017): So. Many. Awards.
89. “Come and Get Your Love,” Redbone (1973): Yet another love song to help us through.
90. “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” Shania Twain (1997): “We don’t need romance, we only want to dance” is our new mantra.
91. “ME!” Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie (2019): Don’t worry, Swifties. Your gal made the list.
92. “I Do (Cherish You),” 98 Degrees (1998): Boy band mania!
93. “Baby Baby,” Amy Grant (1991):
“Baby, baby/I’m taken with the notion/ To love you with the sweetest of devotion”
94. “Stacy’s Mom,” Fountains of Wayne (2003): Cheesy and catchy. A killer combo.
95. “Here Comes the Sun,” Richie Havens (1971): Sunny days are ahead, right?
96. “Good Vibrations,” Beach Boys (1966): The Boys are here for us.
97. “Let’s Dance,” David Bowie (1983): “If you say run/I’ll run with you/ And if you say hide/ We’ll hide”
98. “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton (1980):
Love. Her.
99. “Go Your Own Way,” Fleetwood Mac (1977): Just make sure you stay at least 6 feet apart.
100. “Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba (1997): “I get knocked down/ But I get up again” plus the name just makes us smile.