Music streaming is one of the most popular technological inventions of recent years. Platforms like Spotify have taken the world by storm and we’ve waved goodbye to the days of cassette, CD, and MP3 players – and to buying single songs online.
However, with a whopping 70 million tracks available on Spotify*, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to start listening.
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, through to disco and alternative rock. Hopefully there’ll be something to suit every taste.
*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 Wake Me Up by Avicii, this playlist is full of feel-good anthems that provide the perfect dose of positivity.
If you’re in a good mood, this playlist is the perfect background track – or even if you’re having a bad day, then it’s an equally great way to start turning it around. Research has found that listening to positive music can release dopamine to the brain – otherwise known as the happy chemical. So why not try simply having the music on in the background while you get on with your daily tasks?
The playlist also features a whole range of different musical genres, so everyone is guaranteed to stumble across a song that will brighten their day.
2. Early Alternative
Early alternative – or alternative rock – is a category of rock music that originated in the independent music underground scene of the 1970s. It became widely popular during the 1990s. Following the success of bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes, other popular artists like The Killers and Arctic Monkeys also began to appear 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 all-time-favourite artists like David Bowie, The Cure, Pixies, and Joy Division, this playlist is anything but predictable and will reunite you with a few of your favourite old songs.
3. Disco Forever
For a lively playlist that’ll leave you wanting to dance, look no further than Disco Forever. A compilation of the music that lit up the dance floors of night clubs 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 for a fast-paced workout, or to simply enjoy a dance around the living room to. Featuring upbeat songs like Holiday, Hot Stuff, and Disco Inferno, this playlist is a real mood booster too.
4. Legendary
If you’re after a solid playlist full of timeless songs that everyone will know, then Spotify’s Legendary playlist won’t disappoint. This playlist is so called because it’s filled with the music of indisputable musical legends from across the ages.
From AC/DC and Elvis Presley, to Fleetwood Mac and Queen, this is a reliable go-to playlist for the times when you can’t decide what to put on. Even the least musical people around can’t deny themselves a little toe-tap or singalong with friends to some of these instantly recognisable anthems.
5. The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World
Made up of 86 songs and spanning seven hours, The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World is the perfect background music for anyone who struggles with stress and anxiety, or for any activity that requires a quiet and stress-free environment.
For example, if you’ve ever taken part in a yoga or pilates class, you’ll know the dramatic effect that relaxing background music can have on your overall experience. Research shows that relaxing music brings many health benefits and can lower blood pressure, slow breathing, ease muscle tension, and reduce stress and anxiety.
The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World features a variety of songs by different artists – most notably Weightless by Marconi Union which was dubbed ‘the most relaxing song in the world’ by Time Magazine. Weightless was produced in collaboration with sound therapists and has been found to reduce anxiety in patients by a striking 65%.
6. Soul Classics
As is in the name, soul music is good for the soul, and over the years many people have come to rely on it for inspiration and motivation. Soul music has many unique features that aren’t found in other musical genres, which can make it particularly special. For instance, songs are often based on emotionally charged lyrics and fabulous rhythms.
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 Barry White, Aretha Franklin, and Bill Withers.
Soul music also led to the appearance of various sub-genres, including the Motown tunes of the Jackson 5 and Diana Ross, which can be found on this playlist. Some more recent pop artists have also made use of soul elements in their music, including John Legend and Alicia Keys. So why not discover some more soul today with Spotify’s Soul Classics playlist?
7. New Music Friday
If your music library is in need of a bit of a refresh and you’re after some new inspiration, why not try the New Music Friday playlist? As hinted by the name, this Spotify playlist is updated every Friday with 100 of the best new hits and remixes on the music scene.
You might assume that this playlist is nothing more than a list of songs that are part of the constant rotation on mainstream radio stations, but in fact it’s quite the opposite. Alongside the popular chart music, New Music Friday features a mashup of different music genres – from Latin to alternative. It’s the perfect playlist for anyone looking for something new or a source of regular music inspiration.
8. Hot Country
The appeal of country music lyrics and melodies often lies in its ability to move listeners. Typical country song themes include romance and hardship, and it’s not unusual for them to centre around stories of love and heartache. Often, this is what makes country music so relatable, and sometimes therapeutic to listen to.
Plus, unlike other musical genres where modern releases resemble no likeness to older classics, the majority of country songs share common traits which make them all fun and relaxing to listen to.
As a fairly broad genre, 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 Priscilla Block and Kacey Musgraves, Hot Country is the perfect soundtrack to kick back and relax to.
9. The Classical Playlist
Hundreds of years on, classical artists like Debussy, Chopin, and Mozart are still widely popular. And Spotify’s Classical Playlist offers a magical four-hour mix of some of the nation’s favourite classical pieces – as well as more recent releases.
Featuring everything from Mozart masterpieces and Bach Orchestral Suites, to Tchaikovsky classics like Swan Lake, The Classical Playlist offers a great soundtrack for both long-term classical fans and those new to the genre entirely.
Equally, if you’ve been having a tough time concentrating recently, then this playlist might be worth a listen. Various studies have shown that classical music can boost productivity by helping the brain to absorb and interpret information more efficiently. In fact, the effect of classical music on increased brainpower is widely referred to by scientists as the ‘Mozart effect’.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to take classical music into your workouts, you’ll find both fast-paced and slower classical pieces to either calm or boost your energy levels for any kind of exercise.
10. Sleep
Struggling to fall asleep can be frustrating and leave us feeling exhausted the next day. If you have trouble relaxing before bed, or find that all your worries suddenly appear as your head hits the pillow, then 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 mix of calm to help you fall asleep better. It features gentle piano harmonies from alternative artists, like the aptly named Sleepaholics, which will help you to de-stress before you sleep.
Plus, to avoid it playing throughout the night and running down your phone battery, Spotify also features a sleep timer which will automatically switch off the music after a certain amount of time.
Final thoughts…
Spotify has opened up a whole new world of musical opportunities and thousands of playlists covering a range of different musical genres are now available at our fingertips.
So if you’re looking for some new music inspiration or wish to rediscover the songs that were once the theme tune to your childhood, why not try a new Spotify playlist today? After all, research has shown that not only is music good for our ears, but it’s great for our general health and happiness too.
What are your favourite Spotify playlists? Do you have a favourite music genre? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.