Top 20 Songs to Get You Out of Bed in the Morning

When that alarm blares, shattering your peaceful dreams, it’s hard not to feel personally attacked. But if this song is your wake-up call, those grumpy feelings won’t stand a chance. The upbeat rhythm and melody will lift your spirits in no time. It’s all about celebrating wins, embracing gratitude, and soaking up the moment—basically, reminding you to appreciate the good stuff. If you need a song that’ll actually get you out of bed and feeling motivated to chase success, this is it. You’ll feel “On Top of the World” before you’ve even had your morning coffee and isn’t that a great way to start a day?

Dion’s “A New Day Has Come” album marked her much-anticipated comeback after a two-year break, and the song “I’m Alive” was the perfect way for her to tap into some personal feels. With its rousing melody and Dion’s powerhouse vocals, this track will have you ready to jump out of bed and kick things into high gear. It’s all about finding strength within yourself when you’re surrounded by positivity. For some people, that starts with finding the strength not to hit the snooze button. Just waking up to this song can leave you feeling like you’ve got the wings to soar through whatever the day brings.

Is there a better way to kickstart your day than with a song that practically demands you go out and claim what’s yours? Sure, Otis Redding wrote it and recorded it first, but Aretha Franklin’s version is just next level. It practically commands you to walk out the door with your head high, knowing exactly what you’re worth and making sure the world knows it, too. It’s the kind of song we might belt into a hairbrush in front of the mirror, telling ourselves that we deserve the absolute best. And if nothing else, Franklin’s strong vocals will jolt you awake faster than a shot of espresso, setting the tone for a powerhouse day.

If you find yourself hovering over the snooze button, this is the song you need. It’s all about seizing the day and living without regrets. The band sings about shutting down that inner critic and embracing life, the good and the bad. Even if things don’t go as planned, it won’t be because they didn’t give it their all. We’ve all had those mornings where hiding under the covers sounds way more appealing than facing the world, but you don’t want to wake up one day wondering, “What if?” For those days when getting out of bed feels impossible, this song will help you take on whatever comes your way.

Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, this song was inspired by something Wilson's mom would tell him about how dogs could sense “bad vibrations” from certain people, even though it wasn't something you could see. Wilson ran that idea with it, turning it into a song about the energy people radiate and how it affects us. Sure, there's a bit of a psychedelic backstory, too, but let's focus on the universal message. Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone put more positive vibes into the world? Start your day with this song, and not only will it brighten your mood, but those good vibes could spread—maybe even the whole world starts buzzing with “Good Vibrations.”

Verdes introduces this track as “a song for anyone who wants to feel 2% better.” Written in 2021 during a time of global uncertainty, the song is about keeping your head so high above the water that you’re practically touching the stratosphere. Verdes reminds us that while we’re all connected by living on the same planet, the most important thing is to focus on our own journeys and not let others’ paths throw us off track. Sure, the world can sometimes feel very overwhelming, but if we always strive to turn life’s lemons into lemonade, we know we’ll be A-O-K. With that in mind, we’re all ready to start our day!

Fewer opening bars have us as raring to go quite like this one. We’ve practically thrown off our covers before anyone can say, “Let’s go, girls.” The song’s energetic rhythm and lively melody create an instantly positive and uplifting mood. The music’s infectious energy can quickly rouse you awake and get your blood pumping in no time. Plus, you don’t have to identify as a woman to get a kick out of this track either; it’s just one of those joyous melodies that can and will leave anyone listening totally hyped. You’ll probably leap out of bed just to dance along and belt out the lyrics at the top of your lungs.

When we imagine waking up to this song, it feels like one of those cheesy movie scenes where the main character sits up, stretches, and smiles at the day ahead. You know, one of those sun-is-shining, birds-are-chirping kind of mornings? Apparently, this song is about “grabbing the last of summer while you can,” but honestly, it works just as well in the dead of winter when you’re trying to hold on to any bit of sunlight. It’s all about being present and appreciating what you have because life can change in an instant. This song urges us to always find the beauty in every morning, no matter what.

How can you not hit the ground running when you wake up to this banger? It’s practically a rallying cry to grab life by the reins and show it who’s boss. When Queen Bey sings, how can you not rise to the call? This powerful anthem feels like it’s blasting through a bullhorn, reminding us that the sky’s the limit and we’re way more capable than we realize. Its bold marching rhythm will make you leap out of bed, strut into the world, and own it like you’re wearing a crown. So next time you’re getting ready, look in the mirror and remember: “Who run the world?” You do! Now go out and boss it!

If we were listing movie characters who are probably morning people, Elle Woods would be near the top. So it’s only fitting that this song opens her movie, “Legally Blonde.” Hoku doesn’t sing about rushing into action but about taking it slow and savoring every moment. We all have our idea of a perfect day, and while it’s not always possible to make it happen, this song puts us in the right mindset for a good—no, great—day. At the end of the day, you are the only person riding through your entire life with you, so don’t let anyone get in your way. After all, Elle did teach us how important those endorphins can be!

If you live somewhere like the Beatles’ home country, “Here Comes the Sun” isn’t something you often hear. So, what’s left to do but make your own sunshine? George Harrison came up with the idea for the song after getting frustrated with the business side of music and deciding to ditch a meeting with the band’s label. Instead, he visited singer Eric Clapton, picked up one of his guitars, headed outside, and, feeling refreshed, wrote: “Here Comes the Sun.” So why not follow his lead? Before you even get out of bed, find your cloud’s silver lining and start your day with a little brightness of your own making.

Depending on who you ask, Marley was inspired by different things when writing this song. His road manager and a close personal buddy said it came from various things he observed, including three actual birds, while his backing singers claimed it was named for them. Either way, it’s a perfect prompt to appreciate life’s small pleasures and search for the roses among the thorns. Whether you’ve got a big paper due, an important presentation, or just a classic case of the Mondays, a little Bob Marley in the morning will ease your mind. Whatever lies ahead, as Marley reassures us, “Every little thing is gonna be alright.”

Many of us may associate this song with a certain “(500) Days of Summer” scene, where our protagonist bursts into an impromptu dance after a particularly good night. The good news is, you don’t need to have a night quite as eventful as Tom’s to wake up feeling this good in the morning. Its uplifting melody and life-affirming lyrics will make you want to go outside and hope that your friendly neighborhood flashmobbers just happen to be around! Oates once described that scene as a perfect “marriage of film and movement and music.” Meanwhile, Hall credits its appeal to the “direct and positive” lyrics. Either way, it’s a fantastic way to kick off your day!

This song is such a bop that by the time they sing “Do you remember,” you’ll be up and dancing (bonus points if it’s the 21st of September). It’s one of those irresistible tunes with non-stop energy! It’s so catchy it won’t just get you out of bed—it’ll have you squeezing in some cardio as you wildly dance and try to keep up with the lyrics. Who says you shouldn’t start your day with a spontaneous dance party? Plus, is it even possible to listen to this song without grinning? It’s the perfect combo to set the tone for today and banish any chance of a Ba-dee-ya-dee-ya-dee-yad day!

We’ve mostly focused on idealistic mornings, but this one’s for those who prefer a more realistic start. Written for the film of the same name, “9 to 5” captures the grind many of us know too well. Still, it keeps an optimistic tone, fitting for a movie about women demanding equality in the workplace. Parton sings about the familiar struggles of working life while encouraging us that change is possible if we keep fighting for better. She actually made history as only the second woman to take the top spot on both the country and pop charts with the same song. And if Parton says we can turn the tide, we’re on board!

This one is for those mornings where just getting out of bed feels like a terrible idea. However, when you think about the things or people worth getting up for, suddenly, it doesn’t seem so daunting. While Withers seems to be singing to a loved one, the idea can be applied to whatever it is that motivates you—whether it’s hanging out with friends, spending time with a partner, curling up with a good book and a fur baby, or getting in a solid workout. Focusing on these bright spots can shift your perspective and help you see that it could be “a lovely day” after all.

You might think this song’s slow start is perfect for a gentle morning wake-up, but don’t be fooled. Once it takes off, it’s a non-stop adrenaline rush. Maybe that’s just what you need first thing in the morning! Led by Freddie Mercury, the band uses vivid imagery to capture the thrill of having an amazing time that you never want to end. It could also be seen as a powerful affirmation to help kickstart your day. Even if you don’t want to look into it that deeply, there’s no denying this track is a jam! It will get your heart pumping and keep you energized until bedtime.

This one’s for the people who literally can’t face the day without their morning cup of joe. You know who you are—the ones who need a “do not talk to me” sign before coffee and undergo a magical transformation with that first sip. Suddenly, you’re ready to grab life by the horns and tackle the day’s tasks, sometimes even with a smile! If we had to capture that feeling in a song, this would be it. Maybe coffee isn’t your thing, but it’s all about finding what lifts you to make daily chores a bit more bearable. Listening to this track as you rise might even give you the buzz you need!

Amazingly, before going pro, the group almost abandoned this song, calling it a “total dancefloor emptier”—can you believe that? Apparently, not everyone was a fan. But everything changed when a U.K. radio DJ got his hands on one of their limited album copies. After signing with a label and while recording the track, a seasoned expert suggested adding horns. This transformed the number into a hit that not only gets listeners rushing to the dance floor but also helps us start our day on the right note. You don’t need to be head-over-heels in love to appreciate this song; just let its warmth and joy wash over you. “And don’t it feel good?”

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Semi-Charmed Life” (1997), Third Eye Blind
A Rockin’ Tune Reminding Us That Every Day Is a Fresh Opportunity for Hope & Determination

“Mamma Mia” (1975), ABBA
For When That Alarm Goes Off, and You Think, “Here I Go Again!”

“Good as Hell” (2016), Lizzo
Toss Your Hair, Check Your Nails, Then Strut into the World with the Confidence of a Champion

“Better When I’m Dancin’” (2015), Meghan Trainor
Inspired by the Megatronzs Who Make the Singer “Feel like a Star on That Stage”

“Pocketful of Sunshine” (2008), Natasha Bedingfield
Go into the World Collecting Every “Pocketful of Sunshine” to Brighten Up Your Day

This song was apparently inspired by a little mistake Wham! band member Andrew Ridgeley made while leaving a note for his parents. George Michael took that idea and turned it into this banging tune that totally captures the essence of mid-20th-century “energetic pop.” The upbeat tempo and infectious melody feel like a burst of pure joy, making it impossible to stay under the covers! The playful lyrics just make you want to move, and that catchy chorus will have you singing along in no time! It’s all about seizing the moment and enjoying life—perfect motivation to jump out of bed and tackle whatever the day throws at you!

What song helps you rise and shine in the mornings? Let us know in the comments.