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?
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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!
Definitely googling this…
When I’m feeling super amazing about life and workout I love to listen to boogie shoes by kc and the sunshine band!!!
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.
Haha, that Miley song is on my running playlist too, no judging here!
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!
1st song is Magic? Such a dandy song, a great way to start the run 🙂
Literally can’t go wrong with ANY Jackson 5 songs!
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.
You’re not the only person who doesn’t love “Happy” 😉
nothing like blasting some musicals: RENT and Lion King are my favorites 😉
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!!
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.
Cute! Are you on Spotify? You would love it. And I would love to follow you! #happymusicrules
I’m not but my friend Merri keeps telling me I need to be!
“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!
I love that 95% of these are also on my running mix!
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.
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!
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
I woke up this morning singing that Miley song!
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.
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..:))
LOVE this list! I may have to create this list to dance along with tonight as I cook!
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 🙂
I’m SO HAPPY that someone else hates that Happy song! I seriously thought I was the only one who despised it!!
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.
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:)
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..
I’ve been listening to the Mowgli’s all summer – “Just Say It” in particular makes me smile.
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 🙂
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!
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 =)
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!
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.
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 🙂
Ooooh good one! Love Elton John!
Somebody Love You by Betty Who!!!
The Temptations make me happy!!
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!
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” will always put me in a great mood!
Yay! I need an upbeat playlist so bad! Thank you 🙂
You know what, that is a truly great playlist! Kudos!
Ha! Thanks!!
You should talk to Itunes about making playlists for purchase. I would TOTALLY buy your running playlists. 🙂
I didn’t even know that was an option!
i don’t know if you can … it is just my wishful dream! ha!
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
“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.
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.
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 😀
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!
I have the same Miley song on my playlist, no shame!
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
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.
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 😉