🎉 Get Ready to Pedal with Pure Joy: It’s the International Day of Happiness! 🎉
Did you know March 20 is the International Day of Happiness? If that’s not an excuse to crank up the feel-good vibes, I don’t know what is!
Imagine this: a cycling class so fun, so joy-packed, that your riders leave with smiles so big their cheeks hurt. That’s the kind of magic we’re aiming for!
I originally created the “Things That Make Me Happy“ profile back in November 2020. No, it wasn’t for International Happiness Day—it was my way of saying, “Hey, we need some good vibes!” during the gloom of the pandemic. But guess what? Happiness isn’t seasonal—it’s universal and always welcome.
Why not create your own joy-filled ride? Think about the little things that light you up: family, pets, bicycles (of course!), nature, beach days, your favorite snack, or just the simple joy of being alive.
💥 The Ultimate Happiness Playlist Collection 💥
You don’t have to search far for inspiration—I’ve got SIX joyful buckets of musical sunshine ready for you! Check these out:
- HAPPY/JOY 🎶 ~190 songs that radiate pure, unfiltered joy. It’s like a musical serotonin boost!
- ALIVE💃 225 songs that celebrate the glorious fact that we’re here, breathing, and thriving!
- FEELS GOOD 😌 Close to 170 tracks that wrap you up like a warm hug from your favorite cozy blanket.
- LIFE IS GOOD ☀️ Almost 135 songs that remind you life really is good—especially on a bike.
- SMILE 😁 Over 110 songs that’ll stretch those face muscles in the best way. Warning: Excessive grinning may occur!
- DANCING/BOOGIE/BAILAR🕺 Nearly 245 songs that’ll have you grooving in and out of the saddle. (But keep those dance moves confined to some nodding of the head and a big smile!)
🎉 No Time to Create Your Own Profile? We’ve Got You Covered! 🎉
We’ve saved you the effort (and made your life a whole lot easier) with two more ready-to-ride profiles bursting with joy. Check out “The Happy Ride” by Jennifer and “Happy, Happier, Happiest” by Fern—both packed with feel-good energy and perfectly curated playlists. (Add to these my “Things That Make Me Happy” ride mentioned above.) You can find them all right here. (We moved all the Happiness Day profiles to one separate post.)
Why Do Songs Make You Happy?
We all have songs that ignite joy within us; it could be the infectious beat that moves your body, the hypnotic rhythm that transports you to another place and time, or the powerful lyrics that resonate deeply within your soul. Perhaps it’s the memory associated with the song, evoking feelings of nostalgia and happiness. Whatever the reason, finding a song that brings you joy often goes beyond its lyrics, encompassing the entire sensory experience it provides.
That’s where the power of personal connection comes in. As a cycling instructor with DJ vibes, you have the unique opportunity to bring your riders joy by soliciting song suggestions from them. There’s nothing quite like the elation of a rider and the smile that spreads across their face when their favorite song fills the room during class!
Curious to know which songs bring joy to our very own ICA contributors? Below, you’ll find a collection of their submissions, each song handpicked to evoke feelings of happiness and positivity.
Jennifer Sage
Better Be Good To Me, Tina Turner, 121 bpm, 5:11
“Better Be Good To Me” isn’t about being happy, but the reason it makes ME happy is a combination of IT’S-FRIGGIN-TINA-TURNER, plus how she empowered so many women with this song. You can find our Tina Turner theme ride here.
Lease on Life, Andy Grammer, 88 bpm, 2:48
“Lease on Life” by Andy Grammer has some amazing lyrics. Make sure to read the “About the artist” on Andy Grammer’s Spotify page. I wrote about him in a previous MMM. He says: “I like to think of songs as invisible spiritual chiropractors, they bring us back to our center. They give us little reminders when we least expect it.”
I Feel Like Dancing, Jason Mraz, 112 bpm, 3:39
“I Feel Like Dancing” by Jason Mraz can help turn a frown into a smile with his lyrics “I feel like dancing. Even if it’s raining, I’m not complaining, I feel like dancing.”
Smile, Sidewalk Prophets, 112 bpm, 2:56
“Smile” by Sidewalk Prophets fits the bill perfectly for a song that gives you a reason to smile. “There’s always a reason to always choose joy; there’s something deeper that the world can’t destroy. Smile, when you think you can’t. Smile, get up and dance.”
Life is Better With You, Michael Franti & Spearhead, 97 bpm, 3:16
An artist who has so many amazing songs about happiness and appreciating life and love is Michael Franti.
Mark Fiddler
Happy, Pharrell Williams, 160 bpm, 3:52
A classic song for happiness, profiled by ICA.
The Rain the Parks and Other Things, The Cowsills, 132 bpm, 3:04
This is an oldie but a goodie! Released in 1967, it has been making people happy for many, many years. The lyrics are “She had made me happy (happy, happy, she had made me very happy).”
Susan Lafond
The Place That Makes Me Happy, The Moss, 156 bpm, 3:01
Their sound reminds me of Vampire Weekend. They have a beachy, surf-indie vibe as they are from Hawaii. Subtitle this my “happy place.”
Happy, C2C, Derek Martin, 120 bpm, 3:55
“You’ll never feel happy, until you try.” The dancing in the video is incredible. What is even more inspiring is the number of videos posted by people who choreographed themselves dancing to this song. Jason Mraz chose it for his finale freestyle on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.
Bill Pierce
Kala Markel
Black Horse and The Cherry Tree, KT Tunstall, 105 bpm, 2:52
The acoustic guitar and drumbeat will have you tapping your feet and bobbing your head instantly. It’s so catchy and charming.
Karen Cruz
Freedom! ’90, George Michael, 92 bpm, 6:28
“Freedom ’90” is more than just a song—it’s a powerhouse anthem that ignites your spirit, prompting you to sing at the top of your lungs, flash a grin, bust a move, and soar to new heights. It’s the ultimate mood lifter, elevating you from simply feeling good to reaching euphoric heights of inspiration and joy.
Fern Stancer (and some songs suggested by her cyclists)
This song is a feel-good catchy track that makes you want to move. ICA highlighted this song here.
joy., for KING & COUNTRY, 120 bpm, 3:54
The rhythm and beat of this song make it danceable and joy-inspiring.
It’s a fun, feel-good tune.
It’s good vibes—upbeat music that will constantly leave you in a better mood and state of mind. This track was featured as a Friday Favorite.
San Francisco, The Mowgli’s, 93 bpm, 2:53
A catchy chorus and a punchy guitar make for a fun experience.
Pro tip: You don’t need a special day to spread some joy. Keep this ride idea in your back pocket for any time your class needs a mood boost—summer, fall, or a random Wednesday when everyone needs a little sunshine. You might even find yourself queuing up these playlists for your next house party! 🎉
And remember—even if you’re not using Spotify to teach, you can still use a free account to save and explore these bucket playlists. Jot down your favorite tracks, then hunt them down on your platform of choice.
Now, go out there and spread some happiness—one pedal stroke at a time! 🚴♀️💖
ICA members can follow these six bucket playlists below.