Feeling stressed out? Feeling sad? What you’re listening to can make a difference in your mood.

In the Brilliant Sound study,

• seventy-four percent of participants said listening to music helps reduce stress
• 52% say they’re happier when listening to a favourite song
• 58% say that music helps boost their mood at work

For Singaporeans, 61.8% feel better after listening to music and 80.9% happier after listening to their favourite song, with 77% feeling less stressed.

But don’t just limit your input to playlists – podcasts make a difference too!

• 42% said that podcasts had a relaxing effect
• (55%) of comedy podcast listeners said that those more humor-oriented shows helped relax them

So while it’s tempting next time to listen to sad songs when you’re feeling sad, why not change the mood by playing something more upbeat and hopeful? Same for those Monday back-to-work blues!

Here are some songs you can save in your Sonos favourites for easier access the next time you’re in need of a musical pick-me-up!

1. Up & Up - Coldplay

Fun fact - did you know former-Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher plays the guitar on this track? 

“We’re gonna get it get it together I know
Gonna get it get it together and flow
Gonna get it get it together and go 
Up and up and up”

2. Happy - Pharrell Williams

The quintessential happy song.

Bring me down, can't nuthin' (happy)
Bring me down
My level is too high to bring me down (happy)
Can't nuthin', bring me down (happy)

3. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
There's something about old school songs and brass instruments that bring life to an otherwise humdrum day.

I'm walking on sunshine (Wow!)
And don't it feel good

4. Keep Your Head Up - Ben Howard

Starts off a bit slow, but still an uplifting song nonetheless. For something a bit more upbeat, check out Andy Grammer's song of the same title.

Oh yeah, keep your head up, keep your heart strong
No, no, no, no, keep your mind set, keep your hair long
Keep your head up, keep your heart strong
Na, oh, no, no, keep your mind set in your ways
Keep your heart strong

5. Believer - Imagine Dragons
For when you need tunes with a bit more spunk and gusto. Man, those drumbeats sure are fierce.

First things first
I'ma say all the words inside my head
I'm fired up and tired of the way that things have been, oh ooh
The way that things have been, oh ooh
Second thing second
Don't you tell me what you think that I can be
I'm the one at the sail, I'm the master of my sea, oh ooh
The master of my sea, oh ooh

P.S. Do look out for the quality of the sound too! A large majority (82%) of listeners said that a great sound system can make a party more fun.