Since it’s not ridiculously hot outside today, I waited a little while and didn’t take Sadie out for a run until 9:30 a.m. which truly would be unthinkable in Florida right now unless I wanted to collapse after five minutes in a pool of my own sweat. I give SO much credit to those of you who live in hot places and run miles and miles in the summer. You deserve extra credit or something. Heat wipes me out!
And speaking of running with Sadie, here’s a photo that Ryan snapped last week when we got home after a five miler.
As my Instagram buddies out there know, it made me laugh because it so perfectly captures Sadie’s neediness and total disregard for my desire to enjoy some solo stretching after a run. But then again, I learned a long time ago that if I am on the floor, I’m fair game. What is it about a human on the floor that makes dogs react like it’s Christmas morning!?
Anyway, today’s four-mile run ended up being the best run I’ve had in months. I’m not sure what made it so great, but I truly enjoyed every minute and I am not someone who ever enjoys every minute of a run… ever. While I do find joy in running, today’s run was the kind of awesome run that comes along once in a blue moon. I think the weather, leaving my Garmin at home, running at an easy pace, a joyful running partner (Sadie) and a rockin’ playlist had a lot to do with it.
I spent some time putting together a summertime playlist last night and about halfway through, I realized all of the songs were ridiculously happy and upbeat. It’s the kind of playlist that will probably annoy the heck out of you if you’re feeling cranky but make you want to sing in your car if you’re in a good mood. And no, Pharrell’s “Happy” is not on it because I am a member of the 5 percent of the population who cannot stand that song. But I do love the handful of songs you’ll see below!
Hopefully some of the following songs will make you smile and make it onto your next workout playlist when you need a little pick-me-up. There’s a mix of ‘90s music, classic rock, hits from today and totally cheesy girly music.
Feel free to give a shout out to one of your go-to “happy songs” in the comments section! You guys always give me great ideas for my next playlists!
Ultimate Happy Music Playlist
- B.o.B (feat. Rivers Cuomo) – I’ve Got The Magic In Me
- C&C Music Factory – Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- Deee-Lite – Groove Is In The Heart
- Kate Ryan – All For You
- Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody
- The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
- Katrina and The Waves – Walking On Sunshine
- Save Ferris – Come On Eileen
- Avicii & Sebastien Drums – My Feelings For You (Original Mix)
- Foreigner – Juke Box Hero
- Paul Simon – Call Me Al
- The Temptations – Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
- Bel Biv DeVoe – Poison
- MKTO – Classic
- Abba – Dancing Queen
- Glee Cast – River Deep Mountain High
- Miley Cyrus – Party In The U.S.A.
And yes, I almost didn’t put the Miley Cyrus song on there for fear of ostracization, but it’s so darn catchy I couldn’t resist. I feel your judgment and I accept it.
Question of the Afternoon
- What song can you always count on to boost your mood when you’re feeling down?
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Great playlist!
I have to shake it to “Get Lucky” but now I laugh hysterically because I can’t hear it without thinking of the YouTube video of Grover singing it. If you haven’t seen it, Google it! So funny!
Julie says
Definitely googling this…
Alex says
When I’m feeling super amazing about life and workout I love to listen to boogie shoes by kc and the sunshine band!!!
ccsamson1 says
I’m at the point where “4 Minutes” by Madonna (ft. Justin Timberlake) should be getting REAL old, but I can’t stop listening! Definitely pumps me up when I’ve just about had it on my runs.
Chelsea says
Haha, that Miley song is on my running playlist too, no judging here!
Carly says
I’m totally with you in your opinion of Happy…it’s so darn annoying. I love songs I can “sing” along with, and at one point that meant many Glee covers haha. My first stop on my ipod right now is Wild Ones..still love that song!
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says
1st song is Magic? Such a dandy song, a great way to start the run 🙂
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says
Literally can’t go wrong with ANY Jackson 5 songs!
Beks says
Weather’s been fantastic in Iowa/Nebraska this summer, too, which is great. I don’t have AC in my car! Also, my dog and all my cats like to play with me when I try to stretch.
As for music, I’m working on C25k, and wouldn’t you know it, the “Frozen” soundtrack from “Frozen Heart” all the way to “Fixer Upper” gets me through the whole workout. 🙂 It’s fun and uplifting.
Amanda says
You’re not the only person who doesn’t love “Happy” 😉
mary @ minutespermile says
nothing like blasting some musicals: RENT and Lion King are my favorites 😉
Ashley says
HAHA I totally agree with Beks- the frozen soundtrack puts me in an amazing mood! I started listening to it even before I had seen the movie because I heard it was so good. And it was!!
chrissyw says
Love this playlist! I’m a country fan so right now I can’t get enough of Rascal Flatts’ “Payback” and “Girl in a Country Song” by Maddie and Tae.
alyhaygs says
Cute! Are you on Spotify? You would love it. And I would love to follow you! #happymusicrules
Julie says
I’m not but my friend Merri keeps telling me I need to be!
Shelby says
“I feel your judgment and accept it.” Hahaha, that was great 🙂 Thanks for the song choices. I hope my run tomorrow is as happy as yours was today!
jana says
I love that 95% of these are also on my running mix!
Traci says
For some reason listening to Nickel Creek usually gives me that happy feeling, even if the songs don’t scream HAPPINESS! I just listened to Tomorrow is a Long Time and it put a smile on my face.
Heather @ No Bologna Blog says
That first song made me smile with happiness and I’m not even listening to it! It started playing in my head lol. This list is awesome! I’m also part of that 5%… it’s just not my fave! I haven’t been listening to much music on my runs, so I don’t have any suggestions, but I need to pull my dusty ipod out!
Kelsie says
Anything Michael Jackson!
Have you heard that new song out called “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor – EXTREMELY catchy…check out if you haven’t.
Also, a new one out called “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne – I just heard it this weekend on the radio and it instantly became a new favorite. Mix of today’s music + old school Whitney Houston.
Colbie Caillat never lets me down either 🙂
Ok, that’s enough haha
Denise says
I woke up this morning singing that Miley song!
Alexis T (@runcrush) says
Weirdly, Fergalicious is my go to song when I’m feeling nervous. I used to listen to it before track meets in high school. Something about it just totally gets my head away from thinking about whatever is making me anxious.
Bridget says
Yes! Good call with Abba too! I’m also a member of that anti-Happy club – I didn’t realize there were more of us!..(trying not to sound like the most negative person ever..:))
haley@ Cupcakes and Sunshine says
LOVE this list! I may have to create this list to dance along with tonight as I cook!
Brittany says
Some of my favorites:
Neon Trees – Sleeping with a friend- the chainsmokers radio remix
John Legend – All of me – Tiesto’s birthday treatment remix
Calvin Harris – We’ll be coming back
Eric Turner – Dancing in my head – tom hangs remix
LOVE all of these right now 🙂
Tory says
I’m SO HAPPY that someone else hates that Happy song! I seriously thought I was the only one who despised it!!
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
I love running to Magic! That’s always on my running playlists.
My go to happy song is Junk of the Heart by The Kooks.
vitaminkgirl says
Not only do I not like “Happy” by Pharrell, but it actually kind of makes me feel angry, haha! Glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like it, I was beginning to think I must be an extreme pessimist for disliking a song with that title:)
Tiffani says
Oh my! I thought I was the only person who ran to Call Me Al! All my friends don’t see it as a running song..
Alayna says
I’ve been listening to the Mowgli’s all summer – “Just Say It” in particular makes me smile.
Jasmine @ A cupcake for my thoughts says
Lately Michael Jackson’s songs have been the only songs that keep me going at the end of my run, they’re just so catchy and keep me moving! I love “I wanna dance with somebody”, used to dance to it all the time when I was little 🙂
Allyssa says
I love the song come on eileen also!! Plus, no Miley judgement, love her also! But another song that always makes me happy is “You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oats!
Clare Gravolet says
I notice you have a Glee song on your list. Are you a Glee fan? I have a ton of Glee music on my running playlist. One of my favorites is a boy-band mashup…it’s N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye” and Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way.” It’s pretty fantastic =)
Lauryn says
We have the same terrible taste in music. And by terrible, I mean amazing 😉 Add some Gaga and old school B. Spears in there and I’m good to go! Also, check out “Love Never Felt So Good” by Michael Jackson with Justin Timberlake. Unreal!
Deanne says
I can not listen to “Party in the USA” without the goat remix popping into my head. Soooooo funny. Look it up you just have to. The “I knew you were Trouble” goat remix is funny to but the Miley one it’s stuck in my brain permanently.
ahealthyhappyhome says
You are one of the only other people I know who would add ABBA Dancing Queen and Save Ferris Come on Eileen to a playlist. LOVE IT! I would have to nix Miley and replace it with Benny and the Jets 🙂
Julie says
Ooooh good one! Love Elton John!
Sarah says
Somebody Love You by Betty Who!!!
livitant says
The Temptations make me happy!!
Sam @ The Running Graduate says
I love the music from Glee, especially that song! The song “‘Circa 46” by The Rocket Summer always busts me out of a bad mood!
Polly - TastyFoodProject.com says
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” will always put me in a great mood!
Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse says
Yay! I need an upbeat playlist so bad! Thank you 🙂
Laura says
You know what, that is a truly great playlist! Kudos!
Julie says
Ha! Thanks!!
lauren thompson says
You should talk to Itunes about making playlists for purchase. I would TOTALLY buy your running playlists. 🙂
Julie says
I didn’t even know that was an option!
lauren thompson says
i don’t know if you can … it is just my wishful dream! ha!
Tara says
Love the addition of Paul Simon!
A few of my upbeat favs:
Shake It Out- Florence + the Machine
Bonefied Lovin’- Chromeo
I Love It- Icona Pop
Nancy says
“You are my soul, you are my heart” by Modern Talking – That’s my favorite one and gives more energy when I listen to that.
Nicole says
I live in the Charlotte area also and this weather lately has been bliss. It’s not normal, but hey…I will take it!
My favorite “happy” song is Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore. But pretty much anything upbeat will do the trick in a pinch.
Fitness Trainer Ethan says
A good music playlist completes a run for me. In fact it’s essential. Thank you for the list, it will go to good use 🙂
Recently got into Chillstep such as ‘Shona by Jake Chudnow’ and ‘Prayer in C by Lilly Wood & The Prick (Robin Schulz Radio Edit)’. Brilliant for a euphoric jogg 😀
Bree says
I absolutely love your playlist. They’re all songs that when they come on you’re kind of obligated to sing and be happy! I also like Man in the Mirror… Not entirely sure why but that song gives me life ha!
Laura@SneakersandSpatulas says
I have the same Miley song on my playlist, no shame!
Alexis W. says
Love it! Thank you! I’m only two hours north of Charlotte – in Blacksburg, VA and am having similar weather! It’s so nice to not have my pup dying on runs and me as well 🙂 What software do you use to get your music and make your playlist? I’m on a budget and am trying to avoid my beloved two-click purchases on Itunes
Devon says
This is such a great playlist!
Mine is “Roar” – Katy Perry
Love to blast this song on the way to work at 4 a.m. and sing at the top of my lungs.
Kim @ FITsique says
What a cute dog picture of you and Sadie. Seriously though, I am in love with this summer! I am in KY and we have been having very similar mid 70’s- low 80’s weather and its PERFECT <3
I can get on board with that play list, all great songs. I not so secretly love Miley so I'm quite OK with the last song 😉