Music has existed in some form for tens of thousands of years — evidence of primitive flutes and other instruments predates recorded history by several millennia. Researchers don’t know exactly why humans started making music, but we know it persists in part because it brings people together and creates opportunities for us to bond. Studies suggest music is even good for our health.
Experts say listening to music activates the neurochemical systems and brain structures linked to beneficial changes in mood, attention, and memory. Indeed, the universal appeal of music, and its ability to impact our emotional and physical well-being, may lie in the fact that music “stimulates more parts of the brain than any other human function.”
Whatever the reason, listening to music has the power to conjure a favorite moment from our past, ease our pain and anxiety, and give us a jolt of energy or confidence when we need it most. Case in point: these memorable, mood-boosting song lyrics, from catchy pop tunes that always bring a smile to poignant ballads that encourage reflection.
Now I’m walking on sunshine, whoa / I’m walking on sunshine, whoa / I’m walking on sunshine, whoa / And don’t it feel good?“Walking on Sunshine,” Katrina and the Waves
Hey, Jude, don’t make it bad / Take a sad song and make it better / Remember to let her into your heart / Then you can start to make it better.“Hey Jude,” The Beatles
Oh, don’t you dare look back / Just keep your eyes on me / I said, “You’re holding back” / She said, “Shut up and dance with me” / This woman is my destiny / She said, “Ooh-ooh, shut up and dance with me.”“Shut Up and Dance,” Walk the Moon
The time has come for me / To break out of the shell / I have to shout / That I am coming out.“I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man / Sing us a song tonight / Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody / And you’ve got us feeling alright.“Piano Man,” Billy Joel
‘Cause baby, there ain’t no mountain high enough / Ain’t no valley low enough / Ain’t no river wide enough / To keep me from gettin’ to you, babe.“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
All you need is your own imagination / So use it that's what it's for / Go inside, for your finest inspiration / Your dreams will open the door.“Vogue,” Madonna
These boots are made for walkin’ / And that’s just what they’ll do / One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” Nancy Sinatra
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.“Happy,” Pharrell Williams
You know you make me wanna (shout) / Kick my heels up and (shout) / Throw my hands up and (shout) / Throw my head back and (shout) / Come on now (shout).“Shout,” The Isley Brothers
Well, oh, oh, come take my hand / We’re riding out tonight to case the promised land / Oh, oh, thunder road, oh, thunder road, oh, thunder road.“Thunder Road,” Bruce Springsteen
Cover me in sunshine / Shower me with good times / Tell me that the world's been spinning since the beginning / And everything’ll be alright.“Cover Me in Sunshine,” P!nk and Willow Sage Hart
Oh no, not I, I will survive / Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive / I’ve got all my life to live, and I’ve got all my love to give / And I’ll survive, I will survive, hey, hey.“I Will Survive,” Gloria Gaynor
When the day that lies ahead of me / Seems impossible to face / When someone else instead of me / Always seems to know the way / Then I look at you / And the world's alright with me.“Lovely Day,” Bill Withers
‘Cause uptown funk gon’ give it to you / ‘Cause uptown funk gon’ give it to you / Saturday night and we in the spot / Don’t believe me, just watch.“Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Some boys take a beautiful girl / And hide her away from the rest of the world / I want be the one to walk in the sun / Oh, girls, they wanna have fun / Oh, girls just want have fun.“Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper
Life is a highway / I wanna ride it all night long / If you’re goin’ my way / I wanna drive it all night long.“Life Is a Highway,” Rascal Flatts
I do my hair toss, check my nails / Baby, how you feelin’? / Feelin’ good as hell.“Good As Hell,” Lizzo
Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down / Never gonna run around and desert you / Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye / Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.“Never Gonna Give You Up,” Rick Astley
I got that sunshine in my pocket / Got that good soul in my feet / I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops (ooh).“Can’t Stop the Feeling!” Justin Timberlake
Featured image credit: Steve Rapport/ Hulton Archive via Getty Images
