Rise and shine: 20 awesome songs to wake up to

"Bey is back and I'm sleeping real good at night" is a prominent lyric in Beyoncé's 2022 single "Break My Soul." On the track, Bey sings about letting go of things that no longer serve her and the importance of looking for a new foundation. 

Electropop duo Surfaces can elevate any listener’s mood with their hit single “Surfaces.” The piano-driven track finds the duo stressing how people will go through challenges, but it matters how people are optimistic and persevere. It’s evident on the first verse as they sing, “Every day can be a better day, despite the challenge / All you gotta do is leave it better than you found it / It’s gonna get difficult to stand, but hold your balance.” 

One of Bill Withers’ most recognizable tracks is his 1977 hit “Lovely Day.” On the song, he stresses how one can have a bad day, but when he looks at his partner, all his worries and stress seems to subside. As he sings on the hook, “Then I look at you / And the world’s alright with me / Just one look at you / And I know it’s gonna be a lovely day.” 

In 2014, rock band released their biggest song to date “Ain’t It Fun.” Although lyrically the song suggests that life can get hard and people need to take responsibility for their actions, the upbeat production with gospel elements make for a feel-good song.

On Mary J. Blige’s 2007 hit “Just Fine,” she sings about loving herself, her life, and moving with positivity. As she sings on the second verse, “Having a really good time, I’m not complaining / And Imma still wear a smile if it’s raining / I got to enjoy myself regardless / I appreciate life, I’m so glad that it’s fine.” 

Smooth guitar strums are heard from the beginning of The Beatles’ hit song “Here Comes the Sun.” On the track, the band sings about being in a dark and dreary period, but the sun emphasizes how brighter days ahead. 

Sometimes music fans need the type of song that they want to play for their partner. John Legend has the right idea on his 2008 track “Good Morning.” On the song, Legend stresses that he wants him and his partner to ease into the morning and spend as much time together before they start their day. As he sings “Before we start the day dear / I’m whispering in your ear / Let’s get lost together.” 

Maroon 5’s 2002 single “Sunday Morning” can put any couple in a good mood. The band’s frontman Adam Levine sings about spending time with the one he loves, from waking up to them, and that no matter how crazy life gets, he knows she’ll always be there. 

The production on Diddy - Dirty Money's 2010 single "Hello Good Morning" is infectious enough to jumpstart anyone's day. On the track, Diddy and his crew highlight everything from club nights to late-night rendezvous, to confidence in one's wealth and status. 

American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson released a feel-good and empowerment anthem with her 2012 single “Stronger.” On the track, she details moving on from a past relationship and finding the power within herself to start anew. As she sings on the hook, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger / Stand a little taller / Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone.”

Between the upbeat production and Chaka Khan’s larger-than-life vocals, “I Know You, I Live You” makes for a good vibe song. On the track, Khan details her infatuation with a potential lover, to the point where she feels like she’s already met him. She’s convinced that the partner will feel the same about her if given the chance.

When Pharrell Williams released his feel-good anthem “Happy” in 2014, there was no escaping it. The song was heard everywhere and was the featured single from the animated film Despicable Me 2. He stresses that nothing can bring down his day, because he’s staying positive. As he sings on the hook, “Because I’m happy / Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof / Because I’m happy / Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth.” 

Even if people aren’t familiar with MGMT’s hit song “Electric Feel,” they may recall when Kid Cudi crashed the band’s 2014 Coachella set to dance to it while they performed. The production alone sounds like an otherworldly soundscape that can take a listener’s mind to another realm. 

In 2016, Chance the Rapper’s album Coloring Book became one of the most discussed projects of the year. On the track “Blessings (Reprise),” he uses more of a poetic flow to detail his success and the importance of showing gratitude for one’s blessings. Start your morning and join in as he sings, “Are you ready for your blessings? / Are you ready for your miracle?”

Soulful singer SiR teamed up with Etta Bond on his smooth track “Something New.” The two trade verses about a relationship being a bright light, no matter how hard life seems to get. As they sing on the hook, “And if everything else falls apart, I still have you / If I can’t find my way back home, we’ll make something new.” 

Sometimes people just need a song that makes them want to get up and dance. That’s exactly a listener’s feeling when they hear Whitney Houston’s hit song “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” On the track, Houston stresses how she wants to dance through life with that special someone. 

Justin Timberlake and SZA teamed up in 2020 for the feel-good track “The Other Side.” On the song, they highlight how people need to appreciate their own journey and to not always compare themselves to others while being patient that better days are ahead.

Fans can always count on Lizzo to release self-care anthems and she does just that with her hit single “Good As Hell.” On the track, Lizzo details how people should recognize their self-worth and give grace to themselves for starting a new phase in life. 

On the Commodores hit 1977 track “Easy,” frontman Lionel Richie sings about going through a break-up and not feeling bad about it. Although the relationship is over, there’s a peaceful feeling to it, like a Sunday morning. 

Kanye West raps about reaching his graduation day on “Good Morning.” As he says on the second verse, “But you graduate when you make it up outta the streets / From the moments of pain, look how far we done came / Haters saying you changed, now you doing your thang.”