Listening to mood-boosting music is a way to feel energised and uplift your mood when the going gets tough or you simply want to dance on air.
We’ve made a feel-good playlist for happy moments. It’s sure to help if you’re struggling to get out of bed, make it through your workday or find the motivation to power walk around the block.
Read on to check out the FQ team’s favourite feel-good tunes and listen to our Spotify playlist—happiness is just a click away!
Sarah Murray, Managing Editor
Valerie by Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
This song never ceases to get me in a good mood. It’s the perfect tune to play if you want to have a little dance (even if you’re just in your kitchen!).
Good As Hell by Lizzo
This track is such an anthem. You cannot sing along to this one without cracking a smile at some point.
Courtney Joe, Creative Director
Fisher by Camel Power Club
This relaxed tune’s feel-good mantra “Shake it all baby” is the one-liner groove that keeps all my worries at bay. Its hypnotic melody is like a big warm fuzzy—one that makes you want to smile and dance all at the same time.
Lisztomania by Phoenix
“So sentimental” is this song’s opening lyric, and it’s rather fitting as this track takes me back to the carefree summers of my youth—long road trips, camping, and far too much sun.
Danielle Clausen, Fashion Editor
Summer Girl by Haim
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) – 2005 Remaster by Talking Heads
Hemma Vara, Digital Producer
Good Morning, Baby by Bic Runga & Semisonic
Twenty-two years later, this song is still stuck on repeat, invoking a feeling of hope—for another day.
Perfect Day by Hoku
This song takes me back to the opening scene of Legally Blonde. It’s the ‘Elle Woods getting into Harvard Law School’ level of determination and optimism that does it for me.
Bobby Saunders, Art Director
Living it up by Damian Marley
This song is inspired by Damian and his father’s success in escaping the rough areas they were raised in to become successful recording artists. It’s incredibly inspirational and it’s hard not to feel happy while it’s playing.
Sorry by Beyonce
Sorry brings back very happy memories for me. On an exhausting eight hour minibus journey with my partner in the Philippines, this song came on and the laughs began. As soon as I hear it, I’m instantly transported back!
For more feel-good inspiration, check out the ‘Happiness’ issue of Fashion Quarterly, on sale now at all good supermarkets, newsagents and online at magstore.co.nz.
