As music streaming has taken the world by storm, many of us have waved goodbye to the days of cassette, CD, and MP3 players.
However, with a whopping 100 million tracks available to stream on Spotify, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to start.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of 10 of the best playlists on Spotify for every mood. Whether you’re looking for some music to dance, exercise, sing, or reminisce to, you’ll find everything from classic soul and country to disco and alternative rock. Hopefully there’ll be something to suit every musical taste.
Note: Spotify is free to use, however you can upgrade to a Premium account to access features like offline use and ad-free streaming.
1. Have a Great Day!
Have a Great Day! is a playlist filled with upbeat motivational songs. Whether it’s Wake Me up Before You Go-Go by Wham, Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, or Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine, this playlist is full of feel-good anthems that provide the perfect dose of positivity.
If you’re in a good mood, this playlist will keep you feeling happy and energetic. Or, if you’re having a bad day, it’s a great way to start turning it around. Research has found that listening to positive music can release dopamine (otherwise known as ‘the happy chemical’) in the brain. So why not try having the music on in the background? Hopefully you’ll be singing along before you know it.
The playlist also features a whole range of musical genres, so everyone is likely to stumble across a song that’ll brighten their day.
2. Early Alternative
Early alternative – or alternative rock – music originated in the independent underground scene of the 70s and became widely popular during the 90s. Following the success of bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes, artists like The Killers and Arctic Monkeys began to emerge in the early 2000s.
Packed full of music from the early pioneers that brought underground rock to life, the Early Alternative playlist is a fun blast from the past. Featuring a wide range of songs from all-time-favourite artists like The Smiths, The Clash, New Order, and Blondie, this playlist is anything but predictable and will hopefully reunite you with a few of your favourite songs.
3. Disco Forever
For a lively playlist that’ll leave you wanting to boogie, look no further than Disco Forever. A compilation of the music that lit up night club dance floors in the 70s and 80s, this playlist features classics from Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Chic, and the Bee Gees.
Disco Forever is the perfect playlist to set the scene for a party, use as motivation during a workout, or to simply enjoy a dance around the living room. Featuring upbeat songs like I’m So Excited, Hot Stuff, and Disco Inferno, this playlist is a real mood booster too.
4. Legendary
If you’re after a playlist full of timeless songs that everyone will know, Spotify’s Legendary playlist won’t disappoint. It features songs from indisputable musical legends across the ages.
From AC/DC and Elvis Presley to Fleetwood Mac and Queen, this is a reliable go-to playlist for the times you can’t decide what to put on. Even the least musical people around will know some of these instantly recognisable anthems and will be able to enjoy a little toe-tap or sing-along with friends.
5. The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World
Made up of 86 songs spanning seven hours, The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World is the perfect background music for anyone who struggles with stress and anxiety, or who needs a calming and stress-free environment.
For example, if you’ve ever taken part in yoga or Pilates, you’ll know the impact that relaxing background music can have on your overall experience. Research shows that relaxing music brings many health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, slowing breathing, easing muscle tension, and reducing stress and anxiety.
Perhaps the most notable song on the playlist is Weightless by Marconi Union which has been named ‘the most relaxing song in the world’. Weightless was produced in collaboration with sound therapists and has been found to reduce anxiety by up to 65%.
6. Soul Classics
As the name suggests, soul music is good for the soul, and over the years many people have come to rely on it for inspiration and motivation. This style evolved in the United States within the African American community, and was heavily inspired by gospel music and rhythm and blues.
From the 60s and 70s, through to the 80s, 90s, and 00s, Spotify’s Soul Classics playlist is full of some of the best soul anthems of all time. It features hits from top artists like Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, and Aretha Franklin (sometimes called the ‘Queen of Soul’).
7. New Music Friday
If your music library needs a refresh and you’re after some inspiration, why not try the New Music Friday playlist? This Spotify playlist is updated every Friday with 100 of the best new hits and remixes on the music scene.
You may assume this playlist is simply a list of currently charting songs that’re in rotation on the radio, but it’s actually quite the opposite. Alongside the popular hits, New Music Friday features a mashup of different musical genres – from Latin to alternative. It’s the perfect playlist for anyone looking for something new or a regular source of music inspiration.
8. Hot Country
The appeal of country music often lies in its ability to move listeners. With lyrics typically focusing on love and heartache, country music can be very relatable, and sometimes therapeutic to listen to.
As a fairly broad genre, with most country songs sharing common traits and themes, it can be tricky to track down a country music playlist that hits the exact notes you’re after. But, Spotify’s Hot Country playlist is a great compilation of new hits and popular country music from recent years.
From the early 2000s, through to more recent releases from artists like Conner Smith and Ashley Cooke, Hot Country is the perfect soundtrack to kick back and relax to.
9. Classical Essentials
Hundreds of years on, classical artists like Debussy, Chopin, and Mozart are still widely popular. And Spotify’s Classical Essentials playlist offers a magical 17-hour mix of some of the most beloved classical tunes – as well as more recent releases.
Featuring everything from Mozart masterpieces and Bach Orchestral Suites, to Tchaikovsky classics like The Nutcracker, Classical Essentials offers a great soundtrack for both long-term classical fans and those new to the genre.
Equally, if you’ve been having a tough time concentrating recently, this playlist might be worth a listen. Studies have shown that classical music can boost productivity by helping the brain to absorb and interpret information more efficiently. In fact, classical music’s influence on increased brainpower is widely referred to by scientists as the ‘Mozart effect’.
10. Sleep
Struggling to fall asleep can be frustrating and leave us feeling tired the next day. If you have trouble relaxing before bed, or find that you begin worrying as soon as your head hits the pillow, it’s worth giving Spotify’s Sleep playlist a go.
Spotify has an extensive collection of playlists under the ‘sleep’ genre, but this simply titled one has just the right blend of calming tunes and gentle piano harmonies to help you fall asleep.
Plus, Spotify’s sleep timer will automatically turn off the music after a certain amount of time so it won’t be playing all night.
Final thoughts…
Streaming has opened up a whole new world of musical opportunities and thousands of playlists are now available at our fingertips.
If you’re looking for some new music inspiration or wish to rediscover the songs that were once the theme tune of your youth, why not try a new Spotify playlist today? After all, research has shown that not only is music good for our mood, but it’s great for our general health too.
For more musical inspiration, check out the music section of our website. Or, you may like to see what musical events are coming up over on our Rest Less Events platform.
What Spotify playlists would you recommend? Do you have a favourite music genre? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!