19 Best Songs That Celebrate Life's Successes

Nalini has an ear for curating good music. Chances are she's made (or will eventually make) a list that fits your musical needs.

These songs just make me want to celebrate all that I've accomplished in my life and look forward to accomplishments that are on the horizon. They are perfect to listen to when you are feeling powerful or inspired, and when you want to feel the celebratory life moments! Below you will find a comprehensive list of songs that celebrate life and all the achievements that come with it. Hear the music, feel the beat, and pick up your feet! You did it!

Best Songs That Celebrate Life Achievements

1. "Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield
2. "I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas
3. "Good to Be Alive," Andy Grammer
4. "On Top of the World," Imagine Dragons
5. "Hall of Fame," The Script ft. will.i.am
6. "The Cup of Life," Ricky Martin
7. "Good Feeling," Flo Rida
8. "Good Life," One Republic
9. "Best Day of My Life," American Authors
10. "Can't Hold Us," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
11. "What a Wonderful World," Louis Armstrong
12. "I Feel Good," James Brown
13. "Happy," Pharrell Williams
14. "I'm Good," The Mowgli's
15. "Celebration," Kool & the Gang
16. "Good Times," Roll Deep ft. Jodi Connor
17. "Walking on Sunshine," Katrina & The Waves
18. "Can't Stop the Feeling," Justin Timberlake, from Dreamwork's Animation "Trolls"
19. "High Hopes," Panic! At The Disco

1. "Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield

Release Date: November 29, 2004

Production Company: Phonogenic, Epic

Album: Unwritten

There is something powerful and beautiful about the fact that we are full of possibility and potential. We are undefined, and each day we are provided with blank pages that we can fill.

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else…

— "Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield

2. "I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas

Release Date: May 21, 2009

Production Company: Interscope

Album: The E.N.D.

Sometimes we just have a "feeling" about something. When you intuit that something good is on the horizon, enjoy it!

I gotta feel

I gotta feeling, that tonight, that tonight

That tonight's gonna be a good, good, good, good, good

Good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good…

— "I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas

3. "Good to Be Alive," Andy Grammer

Release Date: August 24, 2015

Production Company: S-Curve

Album: Magazines or Novels

This song is positive and contains an upbeat message that embraces and celebrates being alive. There's nothing like celebrating and appreciating the moment when your dreams come true.

Feels good to be alive right about now (woo-hoo)

Good, good, good, good to be alive right about now (woo-hoo)

Good, good, good, good to be alive right about now (woo-hoo)

Hallelujah, let that bass line move ya, say hey…

— "Good to Be Alive," Andy Grammer

4. "On Top of the World," Imagine Dragons

Release Date: March 18, 2013

Production Company: KIDinaKORNER, Interscope, Universal

Album: Night Visions

Ah, the feeling of being on top of the world. It's a great feeling. It doesn't come often, and sometimes it doesn't come soon enough, but when it comes, celebrate it!

'Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey

I'm on top of the world, 'ey

Waiting on this for a while now

Paying my dues to the dirt…

— "On Top of the World," Imagine Dragons

5. "Hall of Fame," The Script ft. will.i.am.

Release Date: August 20, 2012

Production Company: Epic, Phonogenic

Album: #3

We all have the potential to "be the greatest." Even though we don't have all the talents, there's greatness in all of us. It's truly a wonderful thing!

Standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

'Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name…

— "Hall of Fame," The Script ft. will.i.am.

6. "The Cup of Life," Ricky Martin

Release Date: March 9, 1998

Production Company: Columbia

Album: Vuelve

Something about this song just gets me pumped! It is a song worthy of both the climb and the view from the top. So, it was definitely a good choice for the World Cup, where it was used as the theme song.

The cup of life, this is the one

Now is the time, don't ever stop

Push it along, gotta be strong

Push it along, right to the top…

— "The Cup of Life," Ricky Martin

7. "Good Feeling," Flo Rida

Release Date: August 29, 2011

Production Company: Atlantic, Poe Boy

Album: Good Feeling

This song truly gives you a "good feeling." Although there are lots of things to overcome, there's just as many things to celebrate.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah

I get a feeling that I never never never never had before, no no

I get a good feeling, yeah

Oh oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah…

— "Good Feeling," Flo Rida

8. "Good Life," One Republic

Release Date: May 2010

Production Company: Mosley, Interscope

Album: Waking Up

There are many things in life to be thankful for. It's important to take a moment to appreciate the good things you have.

Oh, this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight…

— "Good Life," One Republic

9. "Best Day of My Life," American Authors

Release Date: March 19, 2013

Production Company: Mercury, Island

Album: Oh, What a Life

The chorus of this song is perfect for celebrations. Take time to celebrate this day. Hopefully, it can be one of the best days of your life!

This is gonna be the best day of my life

My li-i-i-i-i-ife

This is gonna be the best day of my life

My li-i-i-i-i-ife…

— "Best Day of My Life," American Authors

10. "Can't Hold Us," Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Release Date: August 16, 2011

Production Company: Macklemore LLC

Album: The Heist

Don't let yourself be held down! If you have any doubts, remember that anything is possible. The sky's the limit.

Can we go back, this is the moment

Tonight is the night, we'll fight till it's over

So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us

Like the ceiling can't hold us…

— "Can't Hold Us," Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

11. "What a Wonderful World," Louis Armstrong

Release Date: September 1967

Production Company: ABC

Album: What a Wonderful World

Taking the time to appreciate the wonderful world that exists is something that we should do daily. Make sure you appreciate the great moments!

I see trees of green,

red roses too.

I see them bloom,

for me and you.

And I think to myself,

what a wonderful world.

— "What a Wonderful World," Louis Armstrong

12. "I Feel Good," James Brown

Release Date: October 1965

Production Company: King

Album: Out of Sight

This one speaks for itself. What's not to appreciate about a great moment?

Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice

I feel nice, like sugar and spice

So nice, so nice, I got you…

— "I Feel Good," James Brown

13. "Happy," Pharrell Williams

Release Date: November 21, 2013

Production Company: Back Lot Music, i Am Other. Columbia

Album: Girl

Sometimes, it's just nice to appreciate the happiness of the present moment.

Huh, because I'm happy

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof

Because I'm happy

Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth…

— "Happy," Pharrell Williams

14. "I'm Good," The Mowgli's

Release Date: 2015

Production Company: Island, Republic

Album: Kids in Love

This song reminds us that, no matter what challenges life throws at us, we can overcome and enjoy ourselves.

I'm good, I'm good, I'm good, I'm good

Living life just like I should

Wouldn't change it if I could

I'm good, I'm good, I'm good…

— "I'm Good," The Mowgli's

15. "Celebration," Kool & the Gang

Release Date: 1980

Production Company: De-Lite

Album: Celebrate!

This is an oldie, but a goodie. It's definitely worth listening to when celebrating good times. Let's celebrate!

We're gonna have a good time tonight

Let's celebrate, it's all right

We're gonna have a good time tonight

Let's celebrate, it's all right, baby…

— "Celebration," Kool & the Gang

16. "Good Times," Roll Deep ft. Jodi Connor

Release Date: April 26, 2010

Production Company: Relentless Records, Virgin

Album: Winner Stays On

This song is about having a good time when the workday ends. This catchy beat and chorus can be used to celebrate any moment!

I'm gonna leave the day behind

Don't you worry

'Cause I'm gonna have a real good time

— "Good Times," Roll Deep ft. Jodi Connor

#17. "Walking on Sunshine," Katrina & The Waves

Release Date: December 1, 1983

Production Company: Attic

Album: Walking on Sunshine

Catchy and contagious, this feel-good vibe is just the tune for any occasion that has you happy, celebratory, and "walking on sunshine!"

I'm walking on sunshine, whoa

I'm walking on sunshine, whoa

I'm walking on sunshine, whoa

And don't it feel good

Hey, all right now

And don't it feel good

Hey, yeah

— "Walking on Sunsine," Katrina & The Waves

18. "Can't Stop the Feeling," Justin Timberlake

Release Date: May 6, 2016

Production Company: RCA

Album: Trolls Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

When you've got that sunshine in your pocket and that good soul in your feet! Don't stop and can't stop the feeling!

I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good soul in my feet

I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops

I can't take my eyes up off it

Moving so phenomenally

Room on lock the way we rock it

So don't stop

— "Can't Stop the Feeling," Justin Timberlake

19. "High Hopes," Panic! At The Disco

Release Date: May 23, 2018

Production Company: Fueled by Ramen, DCD2

Album: Pray for the Wicked

You've got to have high, high hopes! This is a great song for when you've accomplished something great!

Had to have high, high hopes for a living

Shooting for the stars when I couldn't make a killing

Didn't have a dime but I always had a vision

Always had high, high hopes…

— "High Hopes," Panic! At The Disco

More Great Songs by These Artists

More Artist Info

Natasha Bedingfield

Birth name: Natasha Anne Bedingfield

Born: November 26, 1981, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England

Genres: R&B, pop, hip-hop, blue-eyed soul

Years Active: 2001–present

Fun Facts

• Her second album, N.B. (2007), yielded the U.K. top 10 singles "I Wanna Have Your Babies" and "Soulmate."
• N.B. was not released in North America, but six tracks from it were included with seven new ones and released in 2008 as her third studio album, Pocketful of Sunshine.
• In December 2010, Bedingfield released her third album in North America, named Strip Me with the song of the same name charting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 91.
• Bedingfield has sold over 10 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide, totalling over 20 million records worldwide.
• In 2012, VH1 ranked Bedingfield number 66 on the list of 100 Greatest Women in Music.
  

The Black Eyed Peas

Origin: Los Angeles, California, United States

Formed: 1995

Genres: Pop, dance-pop, EDM, hip-hop

Years Active: 1995–present

Fun Facts

• Their first major hit was the 2003 single "Where Is the Love?" from Elephunk, which topped the charts in 13 countries, including the United Kingdom.
• Another European hit single from the album was "Shut Up." Their fourth album, Monkey Business, was an even bigger worldwide success, certified 4× Platinum in the U.S., and spawning four singles, "Don't Phunk with My Heart," "Don't Lie," "My Humps," and "Pump It."
• In 2009, the group became one of only 11 artists to have simultaneously held the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100, with their singles "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling."
• The album The E.N.D. later produced a third Hot 100 number-one placement with "Imma Be," making the group one of few to ever place three number one singles on the chart from the same album.
• "I Gotta Feeling" became the first single to sell more than one million downloads in the United Kingdom.

Andy Grammer

Birth name: Andrew Charles Grammer

Born: December 3, 1983, Los Angeles, California, United States

Genres: Pop rock, soul, pop, country pop

Years Active: 2010–present

Fun Facts

• His debut album, Andy Grammer, was released in 2011 and spawned the singles "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine by Me."
• His second album, Magazines or Novels, was released in 2014, and featured "Honey, I'm Good" which is his most successful song to date, peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• The Magazines or Novels album also featured the certified gold single "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)."

Imagine Dragons

Origin: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Formed: 2008

Genres: Pop rock, indie rock, electronic rock, alternative rock

Years Active: 2008–present

Fun Facts

• The band's second studio album Smoke + Mirrors (2015) reached number one in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
• The album was preceded by the top 40 single "I Bet My Life," and second and third singles, "Gold" and "Shots."
• The band then embarked on a ten month long world tour, which led to a brief hiatus in 2016, with occasional performances and soundtrack contributions throughout the remainder of the year.

The Script

Origin: Dublin, Ireland

Formed: 2007

Genres: Folk rock, soft rock, indie rock, pop rock, alternative rock

Years Active: 2007–present

Fun Facts

• The band moved to London after signing to Sony Label Group imprint Phonogenic and released its eponymous debut album of the same name, in August 2008, preceded by the successful singles "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Breakeven."
• The album peaked at number one in both Ireland and the U.K. Their next three albums, Science & Faith (2010), #3 (2012) and No Sound Without Silence (2014), all topped the album charts in Ireland and the UK, while Science & Faith reached number three in the U.S.
• Hit singles from the albums include "For the First Time," "Nothing," "Hall of Fame" and "Superheroes." The band's fifth studio album, Freedom Child, was released on September 1, 2017, and features the U.K. Top 20 single "Rain."

Ricky Martin

Birth name: Enrique Martín Morales

Born: December 24, 1971, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Genres: Pop, Latin, urban pop

Years Active: 1984–present

Fun Facts

• After five years with the group, he released several Spanish-language solo albums throughout the 1990s.
• Since the beginning of his solo career in 1991, Ricky Martin has sold over 70 million albums, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time.
• He also acted on stage and on TV in Mexico, where he achieved modest stardom. In 1994, he appeared on the U.S. TV soap opera General Hospital, playing a Puerto Rican singer.
• He also ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time.

Flo Rida

Birth name: Tramar Lacel Dillard

Born: September 17, 1979, Carol City, Florida, United States

Genres: Hip-hop, EDM

Years Active: 2000-present

Fun Facts

• Flo Rida's debut studio album, 2008's Mail on Sunday, reached number four in the US. The album was succeeded by R.O.O.T.S., the next year.
• His subsequent albums, 2010's Only One Flo (Part 1) and 2012's Wild Ones, also charted on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
• Flo Rida has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists.
• His catalog includes the international hit singles "Right Round," "Club Can't Handle Me," "Good Feeling," "Wild Ones," "Whistle," "I Cry," "G.D.F.R." and "My House."

One Republic

Origin: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Formed: 2002

Genres: Pop rock, pop, alternative rock

Years Active: 2002–present

Fun Facts

• In late 2002, after OneRepublic played shows throughout the Los Angeles area, a number of record labels approached the band with interest, but the band ultimately signed with Velvet Hammer, an imprint of Columbia Records.
• They made their first album with producer Greg Wells during the summer and fall of 2005 at his studio, Rocket Carousel, in Culver City, California.
• The album was originally scheduled for release on June 6, 2006, but the group was dropped by Columbia two months before the album came out.
• The lead single of that album, "Apologize," was released on April 30, 2006, on Myspace and received some recognition there, becoming number one on the Myspace charts.

American Authors

Origin: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Formed: 2006

Genres: Pop rock, alternative rock, folk rock, indie rock

Years Active: 2006–present

Fun Facts

• It currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Zac Barnett, lead guitarist and banjoist James Adam Shelley, bassist Dave Rublin, and drummer Matt Sanchez.
• They are best known for their hit singles "Believer" and "Best Day of My Life" from their debut album Oh, What a Life, as well as their top 20 hit, "Go Big or Go Home," from their second album, What We Live For.

Macklemore

Birth name: Benjamin Hammond Haggerty

Born: June 19, 1983, Seattle, Washington, United States

Genres: Hip-hop

Years Active: 2000–present

Fun Facts

• Macklemore and Lewis' single "Thrift Shop" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 2013.
• The single was soon dubbed by Billboard as the first song since 1994 to top the Hot 100 chart without the support of a major record label, although Macklemore, in a slightly unusual recording contract, pays a nominal percentage of sales to use Warner Bros. Records's radio promotion department to push his singles.

Ryan Lewis

Birth name: Ryan Lewis

Born: March 25, 1988, Spokane, Washington, United States

Genres: Hip-hop, alternative hip-hop, hipster-hop, indie hip-hop, R&B

Years Active: 2006-present

Fun Facts

• Along with producing his own album titled Instrumentals, Lewis produced the albums The VS. EP (2009), The Heist (2012), and This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016) as part of the duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
• In 2006, Lewis befriended rapper Macklemore on Myspace and soon after became the behind-the-scenes partner of a successful duo, producing, recording, engineering and mixing all of the duo's music, as well as directing the music videos for "Same Love", "Thrift Shop," "And We Danced," "Otherside (Remix)," "Can't Hold Us," "Irish Celebration," "My Oh My," "Victory Lap," "Downtown," "Brad Pitt's Cousin," and "White Walls" and designing promotional graphics.

Louis Armstrong

Birth name: Louis Daniel Armstrong

Born: August 4, 1901, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Genres: Dixieland, jazz, swing, traditional pop

Years Active: 1919–1971

Fun Facts

• His career spanned five decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s, and different eras in the history of jazz. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
• Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance.

James Brown

Birth name: James Joseph Brown

Born: May 3, 1933, Barnwell, South Carolina, United States

Genres: Funk, soul, rhythm and blues

Years Active: 1953–2006

Fun Facts

• Brown began his career as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia. He joined a rhythm and blues vocal group, the Gospel Starlighters (which later evolved into the Famous Flames) founded by Bobby Byrd, in which he was the lead singer.
• First coming to national public attention in the late 1950s as a member of the singing group The Famous Flames with the hit ballads "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me," Brown built a reputation as a tireless live performer with the Famous Flames and his backing band, sometimes known as the James Brown Band or the James Brown Orchestra.
• His success peaked in the 1960s with the live album Live at the Apollo and hit singles such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Got You (I Feel Good)," and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World."

Pharrell Williams

Birth name: Pharrell Lanscilo Williams

Born: April 5, 1973, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Genres: Hip-hop, R&B, funk, pop

Years Active: 1994–present

Fun Facts

• Williams has earned thirteen Grammy Awards including two with the Neptunes.
• He is also a two-time Academy Award nominee, receiving a 2014 Best Original Song nomination for "Happy" (which was featured in Despicable Me 2) and a 2017 Best Picture nomination as one of the producers of Hidden Figures.
• Williams owns I Am Other, a multimedia creative collective that serves as an umbrella for all of Pharrell Williams' endeavors, including Billionaire Boys Club.

The Mowgli's

Origin: Calabasas, California, United States

Formed: 2010

Genres: Alternative rock

Years Active: 2010–present

Fun Facts

• In late 2009, Vincze met Dieden, who had recently moved from Kansas City, at a party.
• Later, the two wrote one of the group's first songs by combining elements of pieces they were both developing.
• This would become the track "The Great Divide."
• It was during an impromptu trip to San Francisco that Vincze and Dieden wrote the track "San Francisco."
• The initial version was written in one night at a cheap motel room the bandmates were staying in.

Kool & the Gang

Origin: Jersey City, New Jersey, United States

Formed: 1964

Genres: R&B, soul, funk, disco, jazz

Years Active: 1964–present

Fun Facts

• The band's first taste of success came with their fourth album Wild and Peaceful (1973), which contained the US top-ten singles "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging."
• Kool & the Gang subsequently entered a period of decline before they reached a second commercial peak between 1979 and 1986 following their partnership with Brazilian musician/producer Eumir Deodato and the addition of singer James "J.T." Taylor to the line-up.
• Their most successful albums of this period include Ladies' Night (1979), Celebrate! (1980), and Emergency (1984), their highest selling album with two million copies sold in the U.S., and the hit singles "Ladies' Night," the U.S. number one "Celebration," "Get Down on It," "Joanna," and "Cherish."

Roll Deep

Origin: Bow, London, England

Formed: 2001

Genres: Grime, British hip-hop

Years Active: 2001–2013

Fun Facts

• They were founded in 2001 by Wiley shortly before the disbandment of U.K. garage crew Pay As U Go Cartel.
• The crew distributed a number of mixtapes and vinyl singles independently before being signed to a major label and releasing their debut album In at the Deep End in June 2005.
• Four singles were released from the album: "Heat Up," "The Avenue," "When I'm 'Ere" and "Shake a Leg." They won an Urban Music Award.

Panic! At The Disco

Origin: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Formed: 2004

Genres: Pop rock, pop, pop punk, baroque pop, synth-pop, alternative rock, emo pop

Years Active: 2004–present

Fun Facts

• Since 2015, singer Urie has been the only official member of the band, with drummer Dan Pawlovich, bassist Nicole Row, and guitarist Mike Naran accompanying him on tour.
• Panic! at the Disco recorded their first demos while they were in high school. Shortly after, the band recorded and released their debut studio album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005).
• Popularized by the second single, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," the album was certified triple platinum in the U.S.
• In 2006, founding bassist Brent Wilson was fired from the band during an extensive world tour and subsequently replaced by Jon Walker.

Great Albums by These Artists

Questions & Answers

Question: What are some good songs to use in a story?

Answer: I think that would depend on the type of story that you wanted to tell and the kinds of emotions, feelings, moods/tones, environments, etc. that you wanted to create and/or that you wanted associated with the story. There's a lot of possibilities and options.

© 2015 Nalini Marquez

Comments

Nalini Marquez (author) on February 22, 2019:

Thank you, John. I am glad you liked the hub and hope that these songs are able to resonate with you soon once you get the job and potentially even before in the process. I have a hub with songs about overcoming obstacles and not giving up that might have some songs to keep your sights and spirits up in the time in between. Wishing you well in this process. Hang in there! Hopefully something will work out soon.

Kindly,

Nalini

J Beadle from Wisconsin on January 30, 2019:

Well done hub and good collection of songs. Looking for work since December so they might resonate more after I land the job vs the strain of a few rejections so far. I'll have to check back when I do get the job. Anyway - like what you did here. I'll check out some of your other hubs as well. -John

Nalini Marquez (author) on July 05, 2015:

Hi Beth,

Thank you for checking out my new hub and I am glad that you appreciate the collections of music that I've put together. Now that you mention it, I suppose my musical hubs do fit my expanding moods ;-).

I wish you a wonderful day!

Nalini

Beth Sass Music from Nashville on July 03, 2015:

Hi Nalini:

I'm exploring my catalogue for more more tunes to submit to fit your ever-expanding mood- Hubs :)))))

Thank you for taking the time to collect music in this unique way!

Beth Sass, Beth Sass Music

Oliver Stark from Sacramento, California on June 30, 2015:

Exactly!

positive vibes :)

Nalini Marquez (author) on June 26, 2015:

Hi Oliver Stark,

I like that one too! It has a good feeling to it :-).

Nalini

Oliver Stark from Sacramento, California on June 25, 2015:

"I Gotta Feeling" my personal favorite.