Waking up in the morning is hard; there’s no doubt about that. However, thanks to the best songs to wake up to, you can start your day off on a high and set yourself up for the win!
So, if getting out of bed is a struggle, read on to discover the best wake up songs of all time that are sure to put you in a great mood!
Table of Contents
The Best Songs To Wake Up To
We’ve narrowed down the best wake up songs from various music genres, including pop, rock, soul, house, and old-time classics.
Here’s our playlist of the 25 best songs to wake up to:
25. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
Who doesn’t love waking up and singing along to a good 90s punk rock song? Especially one with encouraging lyrics and a nostalgic power-pop beat like Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle.”
This popular song was released in 2001, right after a problematic drop from Capitol Records. The band financed their own recording and ended up reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #39 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks Charts.
The song appears on the Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour video games and a variety of TV shows and films, including The Middle and The New Guy.
24. Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
“Best Day Of My Life” is a song that can make the sun shine a little brighter, and your world feel a little bit better. The fun vocal harmonies, stuttering chorus, and cheerful banjo will instantly make you smile as you listen in the morning.
This American Authors song hit #49 on Hot Rock Songs and #40 on the Adult Top 40 charts. In March 2014, the song had climbed to the #1 spot on the Adult Top 40.
The tune has also been played on commercials for Lowe’s, the Super Bowl, Best Western, Hyundai, and in films like Yes Day, Delivery Man, and Mom’s Night Out.
23. Beat It – Michael Jackson
There’s no feeling like listening to Michael Jackson’s music. Nothing will get you out of bed faster in the morning than this strong beat!
MJ’s hit took the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed for three weeks in 1983. It’s sold over 7 million copies worldwide, ranking it among the best-selling singles in history.
Jackson received a Grammy for Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song in 1984.
22. Money On My Mind – Sam Smith
Sam Smith’s “Money On My Mind” will get you feeling good after waking up from a good night’s rest. English singer Sam Smith’s smooth vocals and upbeat drumbeats can make your mornings better, no matter how you’re feeling.
This jam entered the scene in 2013 as the second single off Smith’s album, In The Lonely Hour. It climbed to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, #4 on the Ireland Singles Chart, and eventually topped the charts in other countries like Denmark, Ireland, and Germany.
21. You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Waking up to a dream come true is a pretty good way to start your mornings! “You Make My Dreams” combines blues, swing, and a little pop-rock, the perfect ingredients for a fabulous morning song.
In 1981, the track hit #5 on Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 154,000 digital copies. You can find this classic happy song in The Office, Modern Family, The Wedding Singer, Step Brothers, and many more popular films and TV series.
20. Wake! Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham
Dance, smile, and sing when you listen to Wham’s happy hit, “Wake! Me Up Before You Go-Go,” which is highly regarded as one of the best party songs of all time. English duo, Wham! will make you spring out of bed with their lively electric piano and handclap rhythm.
VH1 ranked the song #28 on their 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s list. The tune also made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and secured the #4 spot on the UK Singles Chart.
19. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina And The Waves
“Walking On Sunshine” is one of the best summer songs of all time, perfect for a blue sky, sun shining kind of morning. Katrina And The Waves released the song in 1985, and it became their first top 40 hit in the United States.
This iconic pop-rock song will make you feel like you’re “walking on sunshine,” focusing on that first-love feeling that we’ve all experienced in life.
The song reached #2 in Ireland, #3 in Canada, and #8 on the UK Singles Charts, among many others. Because of its cheerful beat and positive lyrics, it’s widely used in commercials around the world.
18.Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
It’s a crime not to be dancing and singing along to Taylor Swift’s uptempo pop anthem, “Shake It Off,” in the morning. USA Today even listed it as one of the top 10 songs of the 2010s.
After its release in 2014, the song spent four weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and topped countless charts in different countries.
“Shake It Off” also received the Favorite Song award at the People’s Choice Awards in 2015, among many other awards.
17.Rather Be – Clean Bandit
Jump out of bed and start your morning off with a dance party song, Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be.” The electronic-based pop song features vocals from English singer-songwriter Jess Glynne.
Clean Bandit released this track in 2014, quickly securing the #1 spot on the UK Singles Chart and in 11 other countries.
The song also made it to #4 on Billboard’s 10 Best Songs of 2014 and won Best Dance Recording at the 2015 Grammies.
16. Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling” has a catchy beat that could make any night owl a morning person with one play. The song was written for the Trolls soundtrack in 2016 and features a blend of disco, soul, and funk.
The happy tune became the best-selling song in 2016 and won a 2017 Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. It’s also one of only eight singles in Billboard’s Hot 100 to debut in the top 40 for the first 40 weeks after the release date.
15.A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
You can’t help but crack a smile when you hear that signature string of piano notes in pop singer Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.” Its vibrant, cheery pop sound makes it a wonderful morning song that’ll make you jump out of bed.
Carlton’s debut single from 2002 peaked at the #5 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the U.S., remaining there for three weeks. The song also topped charts in France, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, and Ireland. In 2002, it was the 6th most-played single on the radio in the United States.
14.Roar – Katy Perry
If you need a music pick-me-up in the morning or encouragement to face the day ahead, Katy Perry’s “Roar,” is for you. This power-pop anthem pairs powerful, encouraging lyrics with uplifting guitar riffs, synths, and drum beats.
Katy Perry released “Roar” in 2013, and the song sold almost 10 million global units. It also earned the title of Australia’s Best-Selling Female Song of the Year and became the most weekly-played song on the air. In addition, “Roar” reached #1 on the Adult Pop Songs chart.
13. Ain’t Nobody – Felix Jaehn
“Ain’t Nobody” was originally performed in 1983 by funk band, Rufus, and American singer, Chaka Khan. However, many artists have since recorded their own versions of the cheerful love song.
The tropical house song features English singer-songwriter Jasmine Thompson, the vocalist, who originally released her own solo version of the song.
German DJ, Felix Jaehn’s “Ain’t Nobody” remix came out in 2015, peaking at #1 and #2 on international charts and selling over 3 million copies. The remix was highly successful, becoming one of the highest-selling songs in 2015.
12.Stronger – Kanye West
With empowering lyrics and an energetic electronic beat, you’ll be ready to start your morning strong with Kanye West’s, third #1 single, “Stronger.”
A good day starts with confidence, and that’s exactly what you’ll feel listening to this legendary hip-hop song.
Just weeks after its release in 2007, the song secured a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards and ranks among the best-selling singles of all time in the U.S.
11.Elevate – St. Lucia
“Elevate” is a feel-good tune by Jean-Phillip Grobler (stage name St. Lucia), an Indie Rock and Synth Pop singer originally from South Africa. The bopping beat and sensational synths in this tune make it a perfect wake up song for any day.
The song made its first appearance in 2013 on the album “When The Night.” The album peaked at #6 on the U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums and #191 on the Billboard 200. With almost 66 million streams on Spotify, there’s a reason why this song is so popular!
10. Wake Up – Arcade Fire
We’re confident Arcade Fire will motivate you with their inspiring vocals and riveting guitar riffs in their song, “Wake Up.” After its release in 2005, it quickly rose to fame, reaching the 25th spot on Canada’s Rock Top 30.
This great song also makes an appearance in Where the Wild Things Are, The Dan Patrick Show, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It even played during pre-game warmups for the New York Rangers in their 2006-2007 season and the 2010 Super Bowl.
If this song makes a hockey or football team pumped before a big game, then it can surely wake you up in the morning!
9. September – Earth, Wind & Fire
Another must listen song that should be on your Spotify or music streaming app playlist is “September” by Earth, Wind, & Fire. This nostalgic song transports you to another world, where love, funk, and positivity reign.
After releasing in 1978, the song gained instant commercial success, hitting #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs and making it to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also made appearances in Night at the Museum, Polar, and even the popular children’s film, Trolls.
8.Wake Me Up – Avicii
Of course, a song called “Wake Me Up” has to make the list of best songs to wake up to.
This hit features vocals from soul singer Aloe Blacc and mixes EDM, country, and soul music to create one of the most popular dance tracks of the 2000s.
From 2010 to 2019, the song was the highest-charting dance track of the entire decade and peaked at the #1 spot in 22 countries.
Avicii’s track has hit over 1 billion streams on Spotify and won the iHeartRadio Music Award for Dance Song of the Year in 2014.
7.Viva La Vida – Coldplay
“Viva La Vida” (meaning “long live life”) features a melodious violin instrumental that pulses with energy, making it an excellent choice for your morning jam session.
The song became Coldplay’s first #1 single in the United States and the UK, selling over 9.44 million copies around the world. It also won a 2009 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.
“Viva La Vida” was even played as a wake up song for the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-135 mission of the American Space Shuttle Program in 2011.
It’s also considered to be one of the best songs of all time and is cited as one of the greatest songs ever produced.
6. Happy – Pharrell Williams
This song makes you happy immediately once you hear the rhythm and Pharrell’s falsetto. With a fun blend of R&B, soul, and funk, you’ll definitely want to play this soul song on repeat when you’re getting ready for the day.
Williams wrote the song in 2013 for the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, which skyrocketed it to fame.
The song peaked at #1 on charts internationally, was the best-selling song in the U.S. in 2014, and ranks as the eighth highest-selling single in the U.S.
“Happy” also won two Grammy Awards, one for Best Pop Solo Performance and one for Best Music Video.
5.Firestone – Kygo
“Firestone” was Kygo’s debut original single, becoming one of his most popular deep house dance tracks. Although the song starts slow and relaxed, it eventually builds into a tropical-themed EDM jam.
The song, featuring Australian R&B singer, Conrad Sewell, made its debut in 2014, securing the #1 position on the Norwegian charts, hit #92 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and #8 on the Hot Dance/Electric Charts. Since 2014, it’s also made it onto charts in 14 countries.
4.Beautiful Day – U2
You’ll be wide awake after listening to this hit from the Irish rock band U2 that talks about finding joy in everything. With an alarm song like this, how can you not have a beautiful day?
The anthem won three Grammy Awards in 2001, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
It also earned the #1 spot on Australia, Canada, the UK, and Ireland’s Single Charts.
3.Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
Another morning song that can instantly put you in a good mood is The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony.”
This English rock song from 1997 is one of the best songs to wake up to for rock fans, with its mixture of grungy Britpop and an uplifting orchestra.
“Bittersweet Symphony” hit #12 on Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., #2 on the UK Singles Chart, and earned Rolling Stone’s Single of the Year award in 1997.
It’s recently become one of the best TikTok songs and is regularly used as background music in other social media videos.
2.Brave – Sara Bareilles
“Brave” by Sara Bareilles is definitely one of the best happy songs of all time, which focuses on facing fears, inspired by her own friend’s struggle with coming out. This is one song that can empower and encourage you to take on a challenging day ahead.
Sara and Jack Antonoff (from the band fun.) wrote the song together in 2013, and it quickly gained popularity worldwide.
It reached #23 on the U.S. Top 40 Hits and the #3 spot in Australia. This great song was also nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 56th Grammy Awards.
1.Lovely Day – Bill Withers
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers is a smooth, soulful 70s tune with an upbeat feel, making it the perfect song to get you out of bed.
The happy tune is comparable to popular hits like “Three Little Birds” and “One Love” by Bob Marley. The song is widely known and loved for its positive lyrics, and the record-breaking, 18-second note Withers sustains at the end.
In 1978, “Lovely Day” hit #6 on the Billboard R&B charts and #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Lovely Day” also appeared on a variety of soundtracks, including 127 Hours and Hoot.
Summary
Waking up to a great morning song can put a little extra pep in your step and a smile on your face (just ask any music psychologist!).
You can now pack your morning music playlist full of happy, upbeat tunes to get you feeling good (no matter if you’re a morning person or not).
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best songs to wake up to. So, what are you waiting for? Set your alarm song, wake up, and get happy!
