Turn The Gridlock Into A Groove
Getting stuck in traffic is annoying, but the right playlist can change everything. That’s because a great song has the power to turn frustration into rhythm, making every red light feel less like punishment and more like a pause between choruses. You start drumming on the steering wheel, mouthing lyrics, and suddenly the crawl doesn’t seem so bad. So, here are 20 tracks guaranteed to lift your mood before you even hit the next exit.
1. Walking On Sunshine (Katrina And The Waves)
Originally recorded in 1983, Walking on Sunshine found its true resonance when Katrina and the Waves re-recorded the track in 1985. The song's infectious melody and jubilant lyrics have since earned it permanent status as a mood-lifting anthem, from summer playlists to stress-relieving traffic companions.
Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine (Official Music Video) by KatrinaTheWavesVEVO
2. Dancing Queen (ABBA)
Start with an irresistible disco rhythm, add joy-filled lyrics, and top it off with ABBA’s unmistakable melody—that’s the magic behind Dancing Queen. This timeless anthem blends every element perfectly, earning global acclaim and turning traffic jams and parties alike into spontaneous sing-alongs.
ABBA - Dancing Queen (Official Music Video) by ABBA
3. Don't Stop Me Now (Queen)
Released in 1978 on Queen’s album Jazz, Don’t Stop Me Now showcases Freddie Mercury’s dynamic vocals and Roger Taylor’s driving drums. Though it initially charted modestly in the UK, the song later became one of Queen’s most-streamed hits.
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (Official Video) by Queen Official
4. Happy (Pharrell Williams)
Bursting into the airwaves in 2013, Happy by Pharrell Williams quickly became a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Featured in Despicable Me 2 and later on G I R L, it topped charts globally and got an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, plus multiple Grammy wins celebrating its irresistible optimism.
Pharrell Williams - Happy (Video) by Pharrell Williams
5. Shake It Off (Taylor Swift)
Taylor Swift's Shake It Off rocketed to number one in 2014 on the Billboard Hot 100, resonating through its strategic fusion of resilience and pop energy. The song's message of releasing negativity, amplified by Swift's experimental dance sequences in the music video, turns traffic jams into opportunities for mood-lifting release.
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
6. Good As Hell (Lizzo)
Launched in 2016 as part of the Barbershop: The Next Cut soundtrack and later on her EP Coconut Oil, Good As Hell became Lizzo’s breakthrough empowerment anthem. This track climbed the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 in 2019, praised for its bold vocals, confident lyrics, and soul-infused pop energy.
Lizzo - Good As Hell (Video) by Lizzo Music
7. I Gotta Feeling (The Black Eyed Peas)
When you need a guaranteed mood boost, I Gotta Feeling delivers with scientific precision through its energetic tempo and optimistic lyrics. This mood-lifting powerhouse spent fourteen weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100, while its infectious chorus continues energizing everything.
The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling (Official Music Video) by Black Eyed Peas
8. Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars)
Music speaks a universal language, and Uptown Funk fluently converses with audiences worldwide through its infectious retro-inspired groove. Its iconic "Don't believe me, just watch" hook unites dance floors across continents, explaining how this modern phenomenon topped charts globally.
Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (Official Video) ft. Bruno Mars by Mark Ronson
9. Can't Stop The Feeling! (Justin Timberlake)
Premiering in 2016 for the Trolls soundtrack, Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake exploded into a feel-good global hit. The disco-pop track debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, radiating pure, unstoppable joy.
10. Shut Up And Drive (Rihanna)
Amid rusting metal and mechanical detritus, Rihanna's 2007 Shut Up and Drive music video perfectly captures the song's automotive spirit. Its pulsing pop-rock energy and vehicle-themed lyrics create an infectious driving anthem that has become a staple of road trip playlists.
Rihanna - Shut Up And Drive by Rihanna
11. Firework (Katy Perry)
Through its crescendoing sonic architecture, Firework builds waves of uplift that crest in an explosive chorus, while Perry's lyrics illuminate paths to inner strength. The music video completes this empowerment triptych, following individuals who transform personal struggles into moments of radiant confidence.
Katy Perry - Firework (Official Music Video) by Katy Perry
12. 9 To 5 (Dolly Parton)
The genius of 9 to 5 lies in its layered mastery: Dolly Parton's innovative use of acrylic nails created the song's signature typewriter rhythm, while her lyrics captured the universal experience of working life. Released for the 1980 film, this upbeat composition resonated so profoundly that it earned an Academy Award nomination.
Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 (Official Video) by Dolly Parton
13. Lovely Day (Bill Withers)
Bill Withers’ legendary sustained note in Lovely Day showcases his vocal brilliance, yet the song’s real beauty lies in its comforting simplicity. Its soulful melody and uplifting lyrics merge effortlessly, offering weary commuters a soothing escape and a sense of calm amid the chaos of traffic.
14. Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)
At first glance, Three Little Birds appears deceptively simple, just a few reassuring words over reggae rhythms. However, this Bob Marley masterpiece turns into something profound through its perfect fusion of elements: the gentle "Don't worry about a thing" mantra and uplifting melody combine to create a stress-dissolving force.
Bob Marley - Three Little Birds [Official Music Video] by EpicMusicsOfficial
15. Dancing In The Moonlight (King Harvest)
At its heart, King Harvest's Dancing in the Moonlight (1972) celebrates the simple joy of people coming together, weaving its message through lyrics about carefree dancing and communal celebration. This breezy, feel-good anthem, later reimagined by Toploader, continues to unite listeners.
Dancin' in the Moonlight - King Harvest | The Midnight Special by The Midnight Special
16. September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
The dance floor pulses with energy as bodies move in unison, and then those unmistakable words ring out: "Do you remember the 21st night of September?" Smiles spread across faces as Earth, Wind & Fire's disco classic works its magic, doing what it does best.
Earth, Wind & Fire - September (Official HD Video) by Earth Wind & Fire
17. Sugar (Maroon 5)
Every element of Maroon 5's Sugar delivers pure musical joy, as its upbeat tempo energizes traffic-weary commuters. The sweet lyrics and infectious chorus also earned this global pop hit a cherished spot at weddings and celebrations worldwide.
Maroon 5 - Sugar (Official Music Video) by Maroon 5
18. Cuff It (Beyoncé)
Built on an addictively funky foundation, Beyoncé's Cuff It masterfully layers carefree lyrics over an infectious dance groove that defined 2022's Renaissance album. Its euphoric production even sparked an unstoppable chain reaction.
Beyoncé - CUFF IT (Music Video) by RENAISSANCE CLUB
19. Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter)
Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso (2024) masterfully blends distinct elements into a mood-lifting musical cocktail. Moreover, its catchy chorus amplifies the summery atmosphere, and the upbeat tempo ties everything together, creating a soundtrack for traffic jams.
Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
20. Levitating (Dua Lipa)
Released in 2020 on Dua Lipa’s album Future Nostalgia, Levitating blends disco, funk, and pop influences into a dance-floor anthem. The track ultimately rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned several Grammy nominations, praised for its retro production.
Dua Lipa - Levitating Featuring DaBaby (Official Music Video) by Dua Lipa
