As the weather gets below freezing and the days grow shorter, staying in a good mood becomes even more challenging. To fight the feeling of laziness and hibernation, I’ve been leaning into upbeat songs that instantly put me in a better mood. These are the kinds of tracks that make cold mornings feel less miserable and turn any day into a little more fun. So, if you’re looking for a song to listen to on your car ride to school, work, or anywhere else that’s draining, here are a couple of my recommendations!

“Burn” by Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and ¥$

I remember the first time I listened to this song and was pleasantly surprised by the upbeat and easy listen. In the summer, it was my go-to getting-ready song that I’d blast as I curled my hair and fixed my mascara, so hearing it on the way to school now makes it a great mood-booster and brings me back to warmer days. 

“Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees

This song is older, but it’s still a great, nostalgic one. It’s fast, dramatic, and never skips on my playlist. Although sometimes it feels too early in the morning to sing, you’ll never catch me not singing along on the way to school.

“Draco” by Future

On the flipside, I listen to this song on the way home from school very often. It has a heavy 808-driven trap beat that gives the song its high-energy feel. 

“Brocken Clocks” by SZA

This song’s laid-back track is an easy mood booster for me. I can’t help but sing along, and there’s a reason it was my number one most listened to song of 2025.

“Knock Knock” by Mac Miller

If you know me, you know I’ll always come back to Mac. This was the song that first introduced me to him five years ago, and I still listen to it at least two or three times a week. Everyone has that one song that instantly lifts their mood, and for me, this is it.