music for homework upbeat

• ALL ARTICLES
• How To Study Effectively
• Motivation & Stress
• Smarter Study Habits
• Memorise Faster
• Ace The Exam
• Write Better Essays
• Easiest AP Classes Ranked
• Outsmart Your Exams
• Outsmart Your Studies
• Recommended Reads
• For Your Students: Revision Workshops
• For Your Teaching Staff: Memory Science CPD
• Our Research: The Revision Census
• All Courses & Resources
• For School Students and Their Parents
• For University Students
• For Professionals Taking Exams
• Study Smarter Network
• Testimonials

Upbeat Music For Studying: EPIC Playlists 60+ HRS (Spotify / YouTube)

by William Wadsworth | Mar 1, 2021

Looking for some nice upbeat music for studying?

Look no more – you have come to the right place!

The science is clear: provided it’s not distracting you, music can be pretty helpful for studying .

Plug in to these 60+ hours of upbeat music for studying, and watch the to do list vanish in the horizon behind you!

Spotify: Upbeat Music For Studying

1. upbeat study instrumental music.

5 hours  | Great to listen to while studying since there aren’t any lyrics to distract you.

Enjoy right here in the embedded player, or  click here to open this playlist in your own Spotify app

2. Upbeat Study Vibes (No Words)

1 hour  | Nice instrumental music to help you stay focused while studying.

3. Upbeat Instrumental Study

15 hours  | The Piano Guys, Vitamin String Quartet, and more

4. Upbeat Lofi – Study Chill Beats

21 hours  | Energetic, sunshine-kissed, early-morning / fresh-afternoon jazz lo-fi vibes for that perfect positive-feeling, winning-life type day!

5. Energetic Study

3 hours  | Upbeat instrumentals electric for fast study or homework sessions.

YouTube: Upbeat Music For Studying

6. upbeat instrumental work music | background happy energetic relaxing music for working fast & focus.

2 hours  |  This playlist consists of the type of music that will help your focus and your efficiency.

Enjoy right here in the embedded player, or  click here to open in YouTube

7. Upbeat Instrumental Work Music | Background Happy Energetic Relaxing Music for Working Fast & Focus

1 hours  | Tune in if you are looking for an energetic yet relaxing background music.

8. Background Music for Studying, Concentration and Focus Memory | Upbeat Study Music | Reading Music

3 hours  | Uplifting, inspiring and energizing music to help you smash those tasks.

9. Upbeat Study Music to Concentrate: Deep House Lounge DJ Mix Playlist for Studying & Background

1 hour  | Sublime Deep House mix. A playlist meant to help you focus and study better.

10. Upbeat Pop Music for Studying Playlist | Chill Pop Study Music Clean 2018 Mix

1 hour  | A sublime upbeat pop playlist: heaven for your focusing ability.

Enjoy right here in the embedded player, or click here to open in YouTube

11. Upbeat Pop Music for Studying | Chill Pop Study Music Clean 2018 Mix

1 hours  | Another edition of the pop playlist above: let it play in the background and watch the to-do list melt away.

Need more study music playlists? We got you covered:

• Latest Posts

• How Many Hours Should You Study A Day? The Comprehensive Guide - 19 Oct 2023
• There Are Only THREE Effective Learning Methods: Everything You Need To Know - 13 Oct 2023
• Fall in Love With Language Learning – with Kerstin Cable - 12 Sep 2023

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How To Ace YOUR Exams - The Smart Way

Our signature exam support programme, including on-demand courses on memory , productivity , and more, with Office Hours for personalised support : join today !

Read My Test-Taking Technique Book For More Marks In Exams

Top Picks: Best Study Guides

How To Study Effectively : Ultimate Guide [READER FAVOURITE]

Exam Memorization Secrets

Inspirational Exam Quotes

Finding The Perfect Study Routine

Pomodoro Method : 9-Step Guide

Best Books About Studying

Productivity

Top 10 productivity playlists to listen to on your work or study grind.

Tune in and zone in on your work or studies with these playlists carefully selected by Minutes Staff.

Throw on some classical and write up that financial report. Play some ambient electronic and create inspired poetry. Bump some lo-fi hip-hop and crank out that sociology thesis paper.

When working , the right music can be a mood-booster and could potentially even improve productivity, according to research . The real challenge is finding the right playlist—you know, the one that makes your brain happy and gets you into flow .

These are our favorites. Whatever your preferred genre, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here:

1.  Infinite Ambient Mix

Energizing and ethereal, this playlist builds and pulses and reprograms your brain specifically for productivity.* Consisting of 23 different seamlessly mixed ambient electronic tracks, hit play on this mix and enjoy a two-hour soundtrack to your next focused work sesh.

*There is no research to back this claim up. But you have our word for it.  

2. Classical for Work, Study, Focus, Concentration by Soft Relax Radio

Piano is the backbone of this 201-song modern-classical mega-mix. Soft and melodic, this instrumental playlist calms and focuses the working mind.

Listen here: Classical for Work, Study, Focus, Concentration by Soft Relax Radio

3. Upbeat Instrumental Work Music

Eclectic, vibrant, and bright, this 2-hour-and-20-minute mix evokes an inspired, calm mood.  

4. Brain Food

Call it chillwave, intelligent dance music, or ambient electronic, music of this synthesized ilk has revolutionized the musicscape since blowing up in the mid-to-late 2000s. The instrumental work of a number of festival-headlining EDM artists such as Deadmau5, Odesza, Disclosure, and more are featured in this 150-song playlist.

5. Chill Lofi Study Beats

This mix is also instrumental electronic, but with a hip-hop element. Big names in the electronic scene like Tycho, Jon Hopkins, and Getter bless you with 150 songs worth of focus fuel.

6. Black Uhuru Radio

Wouldn’t you rather get all of those to-do’s done on a white-sand beach? Of course you would. But you can’t. So here’s the next best thing.

Vibe-out with some of reggae’s best bands from the 60s, 70s, and 80s and shift your mindset to mellow.  

Listen here: Black Uhuru Radio

7. Spanish Guitar Radio

Is there anything smoother than the sound of Spanish guitar? Probably not. Listen to this playlist if you like the idea of having a Spanish flamenco player serenading your work sesh.

Listen here: Spanish Guitar Radio

8. Mozart Classical Music for Studying, Concentration, Relaxation by Just Instrumental Music

Pour a glass of pinot and channel your inner baby Einstein with over three hours of the one-and-only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

9. Soulection curated by Joe K.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive mix of current-but-lowkey rappers and R&B artists, and industry legends like Earth, Wind, and Fire, check out the “future of soul” curated by Joe K, brought to you by Apple Music.

Updated regularly, it’s the perfect playlist for background bops you can bump without being distracted by that annoying tick to rap-along with (you probs don’t know most of the songs).

Listen here: Soulection curated by Joe K.

10. Brain.fm

Supposedly the perfect playlist for you, this playlist isn’t actually a playlist—at least, not until one is custom-designed for you. Featured in Vice, NBC News, and Forbes, Brain.fm works with teams of scientists to formulate a playlist personalized for you.

“Every beat, note and tone in our music works together to help you get in the zone (and stay in the zone) so you can crush your to-do list.”

Can’t argue with science.

Listen here: Brain.fm

High Morale Is A Company’s Best Insurance Policy. Here Are 5 Ways Leaders Can Improve Morale

4 Easy Ways To Become A Stronger Communicator At Work

How To Know When It’s Time To Sell Your Business

• Home Entertainment
• Services & Software
• Credit Cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Home Internet
• Home Security
• Kitchen & Household
• Energy & Utilities
• Yard & Outdoors

Personal Care

• Mental Health
• News & Culture
• Social Media
• Misinformation
• Internet Culture
• Entertainment
• Deals & Reviews
• Best Products
• Shopping Extension
• Car Accessories
• Car Reviews
• Vistaprint Coupons
• StubHub Discount Codes
• H&M Coupons
• ExpressVPN Coupons
• Home Depot Coupons
• Office Depot Coupons
• Ashley Furniture Coupons
• Samsung Promo Codes
• NordVPN Coupons
• Surfshark Coupons
• Shutterfly Promo Codes
• Zenni Optical Promo Codes
• Hotels.com Coupons
• Walmart Promo Codes
• Booking.com Promo Codes
• Hotwire Promo Codes

The best music to listen to while you work or study

They say classical music makes the best study tunes, but are we really limited to Bach and Mozart?

You've probably heard that classical music is good for studying, taking tests and doing creative work. This idea stems from the " Mozart Effect ," a term coined in 1993 when scientists discovered that listening to Mozart's Sonata for 10 minutes resulted in better spatial reasoning skills -- a particular type of intelligence that involves visualizing and manipulating images in your brain. 

The findings in that 1993 study got blown out of proportion, however, and classical music became synonymous with intelligence: so synonymous, in fact, that in 1998, then-Governor of Georgia Zell Miller proposed sending a classical cassette tape to every baby born in the state, free of charge, so that the babies would become smart. 

Even though the Mozart Effect has been more or less debunked in the time since, some experts still argue that music can offer other benefits to our brains -- namely, concentration and productivity. 

Read more: How to create the best exercise playlist for better workouts

How can music help us focus?

Consider these few reasons why music might help you plow through your to-do list: 

Elicits positive emotions: People tend to be more productive and efficient when happy ( recent research confirms this ), and the right kind of music can put a little pep in your step. People who listen to music, in fact, may be happier overall than people who don't listen to music.

Makes you feel upbeat: Sometimes, work and life just feel drab. If you've been feeling bored, a happy tune can make lackluster tasks seem more appealing. 

Drowns out other noise: If you've ever worked in a coffee shop or an office with an open floor plan, you've probably been driven up the wall by the sounds of someone sniffling or shuffling their feet. Listening to music, particularly through a good pair of headphones , can drown out distracting noises.

Read more:   Best music streaming: Spotify, Apple Music and more, compared     

If you can't stand the sounds of your work environment, use music to drown them out. 

Can music really make you more productive?

Research on music for productivity is inconclusive, to say the least. Some studies show that background music can improve your episodic memory and overall cognitive performance , yet other research suggests that background music can actually be a detriment to your ability to focus and learn . Still others say that it has no effect one way or another .

There are factors that affect whether background music works, too: Some research suggests that background music needs to be free of lyrics in order to promote productivity ; other studies say simply that whether music aids in concentrating depends on how much a worker likes or dislikes the music . 

Note that the studies discussed in this section measure something different than the aforementioned Mozart Effect. While the Mozart Effect measures the ability of music to enhance intelligence after the music stops playing, research on music for productivity investigates background music, or music that plays while your attention is primarily on something else (your work).

Read more:   Best turntable under $300 in 2020: Audio Technica, Pro-ject, Fluance and more   

40 gorgeous headphones for people who are sick of black

What kind of music helps us focus? 

With the fact that there's no real scientific consensus in mind, it's worth looking at the handful of research studies on different types of music and their ability to aid in concentration.

Classical music

Despite the muting of the Mozart Effect, some research still suggests that classical music can help people learn and focus (just not as impressively so as the 1990s would have you believe). For example, one study found that college students who listened to classical music during lecture learned more than those who listened to the same lecture without classical music. Some research suggests, however, that classical (or any type of complex) music is best when performing simple tasks , rather than complicated ones.

Ambient music

Ambient music is a style of gentle, tone-based music that utilizes ambient sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the buzz of TV static. Ambient music often lacks a true beat, usually doesn't have lyrics, and ends up blending into the preexisting background noise -- this is why ambient sounds like white noise are often used at sleep aids . 

In terms of focus and productivity, one study found that white noise can help people with ADHD ignore noisy environments and perform tasks with more efficiency. There's still a lot of work to do, however, when it comes to understanding when ambient noise helps and when it doesn't , according to recent research from the University of Alberta.

Nature sounds

We already know that spending time in nature is good for our physical health. It turns out that listening to nature sounds, even when trapped in an office, can boost your mood and promote deep focus . Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York found that soothing nature sounds, such as rainfall, can mask intrusive sounds and help workers stay on task. 

This Nature Sounds playlist on Spotify has more than one million monthly listeners, a good indication that the playlist works for something, be it relaxation, sleep or focus. 

Test your music system with these great rock tracks

What type of music to avoid

Just as particular styles of music can help you focus and get things done, other styles can sabotage your efforts no matter how strong your work ethic. There's no research that explicitly compares the effects of different types of music on productivity, but most people can probably agree that it's best to avoid distracting styles, such as dubstep music and heavy metal, while working. 

Truly, though, it all comes down to personal preference. And it's not as if experimenting with background music can really hurt -- we're talking about music here, not whether a food additive is safe or not . The worst outcome is a slow day at work and perhaps a bit of scolding from your boss. 

You should know yourself well enough to understand what types of music and sounds help you focus, and which ones don't. If you find yourself struggling to focus with '80s classic rock in the background, maybe it's a good idea to turn off the Guns N' Roses and switch to something with less electric guitar.  

It's worth experimenting to find out what kind of music helps you focus. I personally can't listen to any music, regardless of style or tempo, that has lyrics. I've tried and tried and failed. I just get too caught up in the words and can't concentrate on the task at hand.

Instead, I've found that I focus much better when listening to soft electronic music or nature sounds (particularly rain and waterfalls). Some of my most productive days have been the result of simply switching on a floor fan to block out distracting noises. 

In the end, as with all things, do what works best for you.   

Other Wellness Guides

• Best Places to Buy Glasses Online
• Best Places to Buy Contacts Online
• Best Prescription Sunglasses
• Best Place to Buy Replacement Prescription Lenses
• Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses
• Best Electric Toothbrush
• Best Invisible Braces
• Best Sunscreen
• Best Mattress
• Best Mattress for Back Pain
• Best Adjustable Mattress
• Purple Mattress
• Saatva Mattress
• Best Headphones for Sleeping
• Best Pillow
• Best Sheets
• Best Elliptical
• Best Treadmill
• Best Rowing Machine
• Best Peloton Alternative
• Best Adjustable Dumbbells
• Best Weightlifting Shoes
• Best Massage Gun
• Theragun Review
• Best Meal Kit Delivery Service
• Best Healthy Meal Delivery Service
• Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service
• Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service
• Best Keto Meal Delivery

Medical and Mental Health

• Best DNA Test
• Ancestry vs 23 and Me
• Best Continuous Glucose Monitors
• Best Blood Pressure Monitor
• Best Prescription Delivery Services
• Best Portable Humidifiers
• Best Mental Health Apps
• Best Teas for Stress and Anxiety
• Best Fidget Toys for Anxiety
• Best Online Therapy

• Main content

The best kind of music for improving your work productivity, according to a psychotherapist

• Amy Morin is an author, psychotherapist, and host of  The Verywell Mind Podcast . 
• She says several studies have found that listening to music while working can make you more productive.
• Listening to happy music makes you happy, and when you feel happy you often work better.
• See more stories on Insider's business page .

If you struggle to be productive while working from home, you're not alone. Staring at a laptop in silence makes it harder to stay on task than you might think. 

In the absence of coworkers, you might turn down the rabbit hole of social media for a little human interaction, where scrolling can easily waste countless hours of your time. Or maybe you turn on the TV for a little background noise only to find yourself engrossed in a talk show for a solid hour.

So while silence can be problematic, filling the void can be a distraction. Fortunately, turning on a little background music might be the solution to improving your productivity.

But not just any music will do. Listen to the songs that help you feel happy, and you'll get more work done in less time.

The link between music, happiness, and performance

Music is a great tool for regulating your emotions. The songs you listen to have the power to boost your mood, calm you down, or pump you up. 

That's why music became a lifeline for so many people during the COVID pandemic. Our recent survey at Verywell Mind found that 79% of people turned to music to cope with the stress of the pandemic. (Many of them were likely working from home.)

It makes sense that so many people rely on music to regulate their emotions. Research has also discovered that intentionally listening to happy music can have a profound impact on your happiness level. A 2012 study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to happy music became happier people within just two weeks.

And it's no secret that happy people are productive people. Researchers have long since known this. In fact, a 2019 study conducted by the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School set out to study how much happiness matters. They discovered that happy people tend to be 13% more productive.

So it makes sense that listening to happy music makes you happy. And when you feel happy, you work better. But that's not the end of the story.

Listening to music while you're focused on something else (like writing a report) might also improve your performance. A 2014 study found that listening to upbeat background music improved the brain's processing speed and bolstered memory in older adults. 

And while both upbeat and downbeat music showed memory benefits, processing speed improvements were only present when people listened to upbeat music. So this reinforces the idea that happy songs could be the key to enhanced performance.

Happy music is tough to find

You'll likely find it's easy to recall plenty of songs with sad melodies and angry lyrics. But spend a minute trying to recall happy songs, and you might draw a blank. That's because upbeat songs are in short supply. 

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Popular Music Studies found that music lyrics have become increasingly sad and angry over the past 50 years. And listening to sad or angry music may have a negative impact on your mood or performance.

So it's important to be intentional about the music you play while you work. Commit to listening to upbeat music so you can be more productive.

A happy playlist

Rather than spend hours looking for upbeat songs — we thought we'd supply you with a great playlist that might help you feel happier and make you more productive right away.

While my expertise is in helping people feel happier, song recommendations are a bit outside my wheelhouse. Fortunately, however, I have a resident expert on staff.

The producer of The Verywell Mind Podcast , Nick Valentin, is an amazing audio engineer. When he's not working with me, he records musicians like Pharrell Williams, Marc Anthony, and Sean Combs (a.k.a Puff Daddy or Diddy). So I asked for his input on the happiest songs he knows. (And it just so happens that he even worked on the album that tops our list.)

Here are 10 songs that can make you feel happier and be more productive when you're working from home:

•  "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
• "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley & The Wailers
•   "Uptown Funk" by Mark Bronson and Bruno Mars
• "ABC" by The Jackson 5
•  "O-o-h Child" by The Five Stairsteps
•   "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
•  "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown
• "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles
• "Happy" by Pharrell Williams
•  "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift

Turn on the background music

Experiment a bit with background music to figure out what helps you stay most productive. You might find listening to the same song over and over again actually helps you stay on task best. Or you might discover upbeat, instrumental music helps you stay focused. 

Try a few experiments, and you'll learn how to use background music to your advantage when you're working from home.

Stream Top Podcasts

Popular podcasts.

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

Crime Junkie

If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Featured Podcasts

Spooky Podcasts

Whether you’re a scaredy-cat or a brave bat, these shows are sure to put you in the Halloween spirit. Binge fiction, frights, and more that may keep you up at night!

13 Days of Halloween

Season Four: Penance Without warning, Sayuri has been locked up in the Pendleton Rehabilitation Center, and no one is willing or able to tell her why. Actually, getting any information from her fellow inmates or the labyrinthine bureaucracy that runs the facility seems impossible. But is the Pendleton really a prison, or something else? Starring Natalie Morales. New episodes air daily from October 19th through Halloween.

McCartney: A Life in Lyrics

"McCartney: A Life in Lyrics" offers listeners the opportunity to sit in on conversations between Paul McCartney and poet Paul Muldoon dissecting the people, experiences, and art that inspired McCartney’s songwriting. These conversations were held during the past several years as the two collaborated on the best selling book, “The Lyrics: 1965 to Present.” Over two seasons and 24 episodes of “McCartney: A Life in Lyrics”, you’ll hear a combination master class, memoir, and improvised journey with one of the most beloved figures in popular music. Each episode focuses on one song from McCartney’s iconic catalog – spanning early Beatles through his solo work. Season 1 premieres on October 4th. “McCartney: A Life in Lyrics” is a co-production between iHeart Media, MPL and Pushkin Industries. Cover Portrait © 1967 Paul McCartney / Photographer: Linda McCartney

iHeart Podcast Networks .css-1q01m3q{margin:0 0 -2px 0;}

© 2023 iHeartMedia, Inc.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Celebrating 25 Years

•  | 

• What Is ADHD?
• The ADHD Brain
• ADHD Symptoms
• ADHD in Children
• ADHD in Adults
• ADHD in Women
• Find ADHD Specialists
• New! Symptom Checker
• ADHD Symptom Tests
• All Symptom Tests
• More in Mental Health
• Medication Reviews
• ADHD Medications
• Natural Remedies
• ADHD Therapies
• Managing Treatment
• Treating Your Child
• Behavior & Discipline
• School & Learning
• Teens with ADHD
• Positive Parenting
• Schedules & Routines
• Organizing Your Child
• Health & Nutrition
• More on ADHD Parenting
• Do I Have ADD?
• Getting Things Done
• Relationships
• Time & Productivity
• Organization
• Health & Nutrition
• More for ADHD Adults
• New Contest!
• Free Webinars
• Free Downloads
• ADHD Directory
• eBooks + More
• Newsletters
• Guest Blogs
• News & Research
• For Clinicians
• For Educators
• Manage My Subscription
• Get Back Issues
• Digital Magazine
• Gift Subscription
• Renew My Subscription
• ADHD Adults

13 Productivity Playlists to Center and Focus ADHD Brains

We asked additude readers what focus music helps them hit a productive groove while working or studying. they recommended these 13 playlists for channeling attention — and getting more done..

Got music? In a recent survey, most ADDitude readers said they focus best while listening to music — so we asked for specific song suggestions. Below are 13 productivity playlists by and for ADHD brains. Next time you need to buckle down and get things done, look here for the perfect ADHD focus music or just follow ADDitude’s Spotify channel.

Have more suggestions? Leave your song, artist and/or playlist recommendations in the comments below — we’re always adding new music to the ADDitude Spotify!

Playlist #1: Upbeat Songs to Kickstart ADHD Brains

Punchy, high-energy focus music to get your to-do list started, the playlist features Panic! At the Disco’s “High Hopes” and Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue.” First thing in the morning or during the afternoon slump, lean on these upbeat songs for an injection of pure focus.

“Sometimes while I’m working, I like to take a break and listen to something that makes me dance for two to five exhausting minutes to let my energy explode and then get back to focusing .” — Bay, New Jersey

“I need to occupy my brain and body simultaneously, so if I have to do mindless tasks like making dinner, washing dishes, or folding laundry, I need something that engages my brain. Up-tempo songs with lyrics I can sing along to work well. Without them I just can’t do anything.” — An ADDitude Reader

[ Download: Music for Healthy ADHD Brains ]

Playlist #2: Instrumentals for ADHD Focus

Many ADDitude readers reported that they find lyrics distracting, so we created this purely instrumental playlist to reap all the productive benefits of listening to music without any diverting drawbacks. Filled with punchier instrumental pop and slower ballads, this playlist is perfect for people with ADHD looking for a happy, productive groove.

“I listen to instrumental music — not too fast, not too slow. It has that constant beat that sets my pace for my tasks.” — Bert, Indiana

“I listen to instrumental, calming music that really relaxes me from inside out. It’s the first step to slowing my brain .” — An ADDitude Reader

Playlist #3: ADHD Brain Food

Sometimes your ADHD brain just craves some good, fun music. In those moments, feed your brain with the easy, catchy songs on this playlist. Listen to these songs on your morning commute or while working for an extra dose of daily happiness.

“I need playful, interesting music to jolt me into productivity. I also love to sing along/harmonize with music, so this helps while cooking and cleaning, too.” — Kelsey, Minnesota

“I don’t have just one type of music or song that helps me focus and so I end up changing playlists and artists to whatever helps me at that moment. Sometimes I just need to listen to a band I enjoy.” — An ADDitude Reader

[ Read: Study Music to Focus the ADHD Brain ]

Playlist #4: First Day of Summer

“First Day of Summer is my go-to for an upbeat shot in the arm when I have the 2 o’clock sleepies — lots of electronic funkiness, world music, fun song remixes, and jazz.” — Molly Durham – Texas

Playlist #5: Lush Lo-Fi

“When I discovered lo-fi music, it changed everything! It’s the perfect background music for me to keep my brain happy and engaged while I work or just relax. It seems to regulate me, keep me on track, and it keeps me from getting overwhelmed with what I’m doing.” — An ADDitude Reader

Playlist #6: Sem Letra Nem Baleias

“I work better with background music, but lyrics distract me and I hate New Age-y music with whale sounds, etc., so I made my own, which contains neither lyrics nor whales (hence the title of the playlist in Portuguese). It’s mostly acoustic versions of Brazilian samba and rap/hip-hop songs.” — An ADDitude Reader

Playlist #7: Classical Focus

“If I need to focus on anything intellectual, I play some calm instrumental music. It can’t have lyrics or I’ll pay more attention to the lyrics than my own thoughts . These soundtracks are heavily vetted before I use them for something important!” — Colleen, North Dakota

Playlist #8: Lo-Fi Workday

“I find songs that I know and/or are lyric-heavy that can split my attention. When I need to focus — at work or around the house — instrumental tracks are my ‘secret sauce!’” — Gate, Seattle

Playlist #9: Do You Have MySpace?

“I prefer songs I know as they are less distracting. I made a playlist called Do You Have MySpace? because it’s mostly songs from my high school period (2004-2009). It has been very useful lately as I tackled a big task that still required some brain power at work.” — Catherine, Quebec

Playlist #10: Moneyball

“I had a professor who told me that he writes all his papers while listening to the Moneyball soundtrack. I gave it a try and haven’t looked back since. I hope this helps other people with ADHD !” — Spencer, British Columbia

Playlist #11: Bass House

“Bass House is just a great jump-around list that is exciting without being frenetic.” — Molly Durham, Texas

Playlist #12: Repetitive Needs

“I have a playlist of songs that I could listen to on infinite repeat and then I pick a song from that list before I start whatever task I need to do.” — Cameron, Australia

Playlist #13: Road Trip to Tokyo

“Combining instrumental music with posh hotel vibes, this music keeps you moving without distraction .” — Aria, California

Music for ADHD Focus: Next Steps

• Read: Mozart Helped Me Focus My ADHD Brain
• Read: “I Have a Verbal Fidget That Keeps Me Humming”
• Download: Music For Healthy ADHD Brains

SUPPORT ADDITUDE Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing . Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

More Articles Recommended For You

10 Books Every Woman Should Read After Her ADHD Diagnosis

I’m an ADHD Expert — and I Still Struggle With ADHD

Your Brain’s GPS Is Glitchy: Why Working Memory Fails and How to Bolster It

Autism Resources for Uncertain Times: Pandemic Coping Skills for Adults with ASD

Free newsletter, for our newsletter.

It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form.

Getting Things Done with Adult ADHD

Here Are 50 of the Best Workout Songs to Get You Motivated

W ith the thrill of New Year’s resolutions behind us and a long winter ahead, it can be hard to keep going with workout goals. But sometimes, all you need is the right song to give you the push you need to keep at it — whether running, biking or weight lifting. TIME is here to help with an essential workout playlist: a mix of songs that are tried-and-tested crowd favorites and some deeper cuts worth your attention from recent years and beyond. Normani’s “Motivation,” Lizzo’s “Good As Hell” and Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” are just the beginning; from hip-hop to classic rock to EDM, there’s a little bit of everything.

More from TIME

“Getting on a treadmill or a bike or going for a run is a very solo activity, so having an artist sing to you along the way can be reassuring,” Spotify’s trends experts Shanon Cook told TIME about the popularity of music in getting people going with their fitness routines.”Music can help you find your rhythm or help you set your pace.” From motivational lyrics to driving beats and tunes that bring back good memories, it’s no secret that music has power in helping you stay on track.

We sorted through hundreds of tunes to select the critical picks that help us get our hearts pumping at fitness classes or while working out solo. The end result: a list of 50 of the songs that are best used for motivating you while working out — whatever the activity, from running to weight-lifting to getting in your crunches. As Cook says, “every person’s different, and every person’s going to listen to different types of songs when they’re working out.” But certain things are nearly-universally appealing, like hip-hop jams. And certain songs, like Eminem’s “Till I Collapse” (Spotify’s most popular workout-related tune for four years in a row), Kanye West’s “Stronger” and Survivor’s perennial classic “Eye of the Tiger” remain favorites across the board. Others — a Ricky Martin deep cut, some Brazilian baile funk and even a K-pop track — might be new surprises for the casual listener. Turn on the music and turn up your heart rate.

These are the 50 best workout songs.

50. “FU,” Miley Cyrus feat. French Montana

Miley Cyrus ‘ 2013 album Bangerz was an interesting experiment in genre mixing; there’s country, EDM, pop and rap all wrapped up in one project. What Cyrus brings to everything is her signature personality and bold vocals. On “FU” with rapper French Montana she holds nothing back. The result is a cheeky kiss-off over a gritty dubstep beat that’s certain to get you moving.

49. “I Don’t Care,” Ed Sheeran feat. Justin Bieber

“We at a party we don’t want to be at” is not a particularly inspiring sentiment, true. But the hollow, insistent drumbeat of Sheeran and Bieber’s 2019 collaboration will get under your skin; there’s a reason Sheeran remains a chart mainstay. The thought behind the song works for any kind of workout, too: just keep going and put up with the situation and you’ll get through it.

48. “My Oh My,” Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby

Camila Cabello has an instinct for wildly catchy Latin-inflected riffs; chart hits “Havana” and “Señorita” are proof of that. “My Oh My” is a little slower but just as effective, dark and brooding with its echoing chorus and her own intensity. Throw in the joyful rhymes of DaBaby, and suddenly it’s a track with extra kick to help you keep pumping.

47. “Raising Hell,” Kesha feat. Big Freedia

Kesha ‘s latest phase is full of exuberance: “Raising Hell” sees her having an absolute blast over a bouncy bass, with an assist from Big Freedia. Her tendency to love a chanted chorus makes it easy to sing along to as well, which might help when you need that extra workout boost.

46. “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” Ava Max

Albanian-American pop star Ava Max can’t help but make catchy songs (see: breakout hit “Sweet But Psycho”). “Blood, Sweat & Tears” riffs off of a playground chant but ends up as a driving anthem that parallels the concept of working hard quite nicely.

45. “God Is a Dancer,” Tiësto and Mabel

English singer Mabel brings soulful vocals to this fast-paced electronic track from Dutch DJ and producer Tiësto. “Keep that pace… take it step by step,” Mabel sings, appropriately for any workout: its consistency makes it an ideal jam for the gym.

44. “I Win,” Lethal Bizzle feat. Skepta

British grime artist Lethal Bizzle’s anthemic, confident “I Win” starts with punch and never lets up. If positive self-talk were enough to get you through a workout, then “I Win” would be all you need to hit every goal.

43. “Don’t Stop the Music,” Rihanna

“Don’t Stop the Music” came out back in 2007, but it’s Rihanna’s gift that keeps giving. Intense from the get-go, there’s something about the directness of its bassline that resonates no matter what. Plus, as it builds to its big chorus, it’s impossible not to find the beat of whatever you’re doing.

42. “…Ready For It?,” Taylor Swift

Swift’s 2017 self-referential album Reputation was filled with intensely anthemic pop; “…Ready For It?” has the biggest drop, the most hard-charging beat and the most soaring chorus, making it the best of the workout options.

41. “Jungle,” X Ambassadors feat. Jamie N Commons

The last decade’s update to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” came in the form of “Jungle” from rock band X Ambassadors and soul singer Jamie N Commons: a hand-clap, foot-stomping, bluesy song with searing guitar and reverberating intensity. It feels like the soundtrack of the best scene in an action movie; it should certainly do the trick at a workout.

40. “Mic Drop (Steve Aoki Remix),” BTS

There’s a reason K-pop supergroup BTS inspires such avid fandom: hits that range from sweet ballads to intense tracks like “Mic Drop” off their record-breaking album Love Yourself: Answer , which seamlessly mixes their prodigious rapping skills with dance beats and a dark, catchy edge. Steve Aoki’s remix adds extra oomph to a song that already hit hard. (Also inspiring: the sharp choreography in the music video.)

39. “Survivor,” Destiny’s Child

A classic Destiny’s Child banger, “Survivor” is the kind of workout song you need when you’re getting close to reaching your limit. Singing along to “I’m a survivor, I’m not gon’ give up, I’m not gon’ stop, I’m gon’ work harder” is the ultimate boost. Thank you, Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle.

38. “On the Ball,” Bryce Vine

Breezy and bright with a surf-rock vibe, Bryce Vine’s “On the Ball” is exactly what it says it is: a celebration of being on top of things. Vine oozes confidence over the pop-rap beat, making it perfect for soundtracking a workout.

37. “BOP,” DaBaby

Rapper DaBaby was one of 2019’s biggest breakout stars, a vivacious presence in whatever music he popped up in with a distinctive, fast-paced flow. His “BOP” is just that: over a wavering flute, DaBaby comes out swinging with his infectious energy.

36. “Giant,” Calvin Harris feat. Rag’n’Bone Man

“I am giant, stand up on my shoulders, tell me what you see” — that’s the uplifting refrain in Scottish DJ Calvin Harris’s latest hit, backgrounded by bold horns and a soulful beat. In other words, it’s a great jam for hitting the gym with.

35. “Work From Home,” Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign

Fifth Harmony may have broken up, but “Work From Home” — their blockbuster hit as a group — is still one of the catchiest pop releases of the 2010s. And it is technically about “working,” (right?) which makes it even better for a workout.

34. “Satisfaction,” Benny Benassi

Italian DJ Benny Benassi’s debut single “Satisfaction” may be from 2002, but its sticky electronic beat is both sonically pioneering and deeply, yes, satisfying. With a chorus that repeats “Push me,” what better to keep you in the workout game?

33. “Trampoline,” SHAED feat. ZAYN

Who knew a trampoline would be such a compelling song subject? Indie pop trio SHAED started things off and tapped Zayn for a later remix of their viral hit; the result is a dance-pop track that’s heavy on the down-beat, spare with its production choices and intense with its focus.

32. “War Paint,” FLETCHER

Viral 2015 hit “War Paint” is one of those soaring pop anthems that can’t help but get people to their feet. With bouncy percussion and a rollicking, uplifting chorus, it’s a perfect workout track: “Bring the big guns out,” singer Fletcher insists. “Watch me put my war paint on.”

31. “Stronger,” Kanye West

One of only a handful of songs that speak directly to the physical experience of working out, West’s seminal hit “Stronger” was born to soundtrack the hardest parts of your time in a gym.

30. “Vai Malandra,” Anitta, MC Zaac and Maejor feat. Tropkillaz and DJ Yuri Martins

A heavy hitting squad of Brazilian artists and one American — starring Anitta — came together for the baile funk alchemy that is “Vai Malandra.” With its juicy, consistent beat — and lyrics that translate roughly to “go on with your bad self” — it’s like a shot of saucy energy straight to your veins.

29. “No New Friends,” LSD

LSD is the supergroup consisting of pop mastermind Sia, hitmaking DJ Diplo and producer-singer Labrinth ; with that DNA, their collaborative work was always destined to basically be a series of pure bangers. “No New Friends” from their 2019 group project is big, bold pop with heavy percussion and a melodic chorus: an ace for workout pump-ups.

28. “Rock It,” Ofenbach

Sometimes you just need a consistent beat that is exactly right for the treadmill. That would be “Rock It,” from French DJ duo Ofenbach. It’s bright and layered, just distracting enough to keep you interested but insistent enough to help you keep the pace. And with “get in the groove” as its refrain, it’s right on theme for a workout, too.

27. “Bruised Not Broken,” Matoma feat. MNEK and Kiana Ledé

For an uplifting boost while putting in the gym work, look to MNEK : a sought-after pop producer, his own work is anthemic in nature, often focused on self-empowerment. “Bruised Not Broken” is that perfect mix of syrupy pop instincts mixed with clubby beats thanks to producer Matoma and inspiring lyrical content.

26. “Bring Em Out,” T.I.

Back in 2004, this was rapper T.I’s big hit (thanks in no small part to a Jay-Z vocal sample that kicks things off). Today, it’s a workout soundtrack mainstay thanks to that dancefloor-ready beat and motivational energy.

25. “Jumpin Jumpin,” Destiny’s Child

“Ladies leave your man at home,” the women of Destiny’s Child told us smartly all the way back in 1999, “because it’s 11:30 and the club is jumpin, jumpin.” It was a hype song then, and it holds up twenty years later. The elliptical may not be the club, but we can certainly pretend it is.

24. “Higher Love,” Kygo feat. Whitney Houston

“Higher Love” has a long history: it was originally released by Steve Winwood, with Chaka Khan vocals, in 1986 — and nabbed him a Record of the Year back then. Whitney Houston put out her own cover in 1990, but with a limited release. It became a Billboard hit again just last year, and one of Spotify’s most popular workout tracks, when Norwegian DJ Kygo gave it a tropical house spin in a production that chops up the spiritually-attuned song into a club-ready dance tune. Resonant and soaring, thanks to Houston’s powerful voice, it’s hard not to feel the spirit.

23. “I Like It,” Cardi B feat. J Balvin and Bad Bunny

Arguably 2018’s song of the summer, “I Like It” is festive and fun-loving, thanks in part to its immediately memorable boogaloo beat, the contributions of fellow Latin stars J Balvin and Bad Bunny and Cardi B ‘s singalong-ready chorus.

22. “La Mordidita,” Ricky Martin

This under-appreciated Latin jam is one of Ricky Martin’s best (yes, that Ricky Martin), thanks to its effervescent salsa beat.

21. “Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is arguably 2019’s biggest star . Her number-one hit off her 2019 debut album proves why. Produced with her brother Finneas, it’s dark and quick with a juicy toe-tapping beat that’s just right for working out. The jazzy riffs and background snaps make it fun; the lyrics and vocal inflections make it memorable.

20. “Numb/Encore,” Linkin Park feat. Jay-Z

This 2004 cross-genre collaboration between rock band Linkin Park and rapper Jay-Z has stood up to the test of time as a tried-and-true workout hit. “What the hell are you waiting for?” is as good of a pump-up mantra as any, but it’s the unusual mashup of Linkin Park’s melodic punk and Jay’s rapping that gives the song its staying power.

19. “Purple Hat,” Sofi Tukker

Electronic dance duo Sofi Tukker have never been afraid to have fun with their music, taking cues from global musical cultures to make tracks that are bold and party-ready. “Purple Hat,” their 2019 hit, throws in some rock ‘n’ roll for a fresh take. It’s hard not to want to move to its insistent beat.

18. “Work B-tch,” Britney Spears

What Ms. Spears wishes becomes our command. “Work B-tch” reminds you that if “you want a hot body?” there’s only one way to get there: work… hard work. The song was a 2013 hit on Spears’s eighth album, but it’s seminal in its exhortation to keep grinding for what you want.

17. “Sicko Mode,” Travis Scott

Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” is the rapper at his slickest; it also became his first Hot 100 number-one in 2018. (The fact it features Drake doesn’t hurt.) But what the song does most unusually is mix and match samples and styles, creating an eclectic track that keeps things interesting — all over a driving, gritty beat.

16. “On My Way,” Tiësto feat. Bright Sparks

This peppy EDM tune from Dutch DJ and producer Tiesto has a message that matches perfectly with the fitness journey. Play it when you’re hitting your stride.

15. “Paint It Black,” Rolling Stones

The ultimate Rolling Stones song, “Paint It Black” starts with that meandering, hypnotic intro before building into a fiery rock ‘n’ roll hit with a steady beat that’s great for pounding pavement when you need to keep the tempo up.

14. “Lean On,” Major Lazer, MØ and DJ Snake

After its release in 2015, the EDM-moombahton track “Lean On” became Spotify’s most-streamed song in the world. (Drake would later beat it with “One Dance.”) But its catchy mix of a stretchy beat and Swedish singer MØ’s emphatic vocals keep it in heavy rotation as a motivational song for the ages.

13. “Level Up,” Ciara

What’s more motivational than Ciara asking us to “level up? ” Probably her music video for the track, which shows off Ciara’s jaw-dropping dancing ability — a motivating factor, to be sure. The song is fast-paced and perfectly timed for a workout; even better, it also kicked off a viral challenge that was about not only dancing but also figuring out ways to “level up” in your own life.

12. “Believer,” Imagine Dragons

Heavy drumbeats and a driving, anthemic chorus give this song its immediate pump-up power from rock show mainstays Imagine Dragons, led by their energetic frontman Dan Reynolds . It was inescapable on the radio and in ads in 2017 for a reason, and was further boosted by a 2019 remix.

11. “Good As Hell,” Lizzo

Lizzo became TIME’s Entertainer of the Year in 2019, but “Good as Hell” has been around since 2016: a soulful, uplifting song about realizing independence. “Baby, how you feeling? Feeling good as hell!” works as one of the most joyful affirmations in recent pop history, and made its way up the Billboard charts in 2019 upon its re-release as a single. It’s also a perfect tune to work out to, as it turns out; Lizzo preaches a gospel of body positivity, making every line a celebration of exactly where you’re at, not where you’re going.

10. “La Romana,” Bad Bunny feat. El Alfa

When Puerto Rico’s Bad Bunny surprise-released an album on Christmas of 2018, it was the ultimate gift for fans. From pop-punk to reggaeton balladry, his music spans sounds — but “La Romana” is the most hard-charging hit of the bunch, with a deeply satisfying rhythm. And when it switches gears halfway through to feature rapper El Alfa, it only turns it into more of an intense track. Work out at your own risk.

9. “Wake Me Up,” Avicii

When Swedish DJ Avicii blended together a country melody and Aloe Blacc’s gruff, soulful vocals with his own bulletproof talent for EDM drops back in 2013, he was pioneering a new course for electronic music — and crafted a magically compelling hit. Seven years later, the insistent buoyancy of the song holds up.

8. “Vossi Bop,” Stormzy

British grime star Stormzy is known for charisma in his music. “Vossi Bop” is characteristic of what has made him a global hit: creative beats, brilliant rhyme delivery and a sense of fun over it all. The 2019 track took him to number one in the U.K. — his first time atop the charts — and taught the world about the viral “Vossi bop” dance.

7. “Dance Monkey,” Tones and I

Australia’s Tones and I broke through in 2019 with the debut viral hit “Dance Monkey,” a deeply infectious pop ballad with a catchy chorus that won’t quit. Naturally, that makes it a good fit for a workout (or a dance party).

6. “POWER,” Kanye West

West’s 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy has long been a fan favorite . “Power” remains its most motivating anthem. Based on a handclap beat and cheerleading-style shouts, it’s a workout stalwart.

5. “Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa made a name for herself with juicy, often-empowering pop in 2017; her return in 2019 was kicked off with the forward-thinking, bouncy disco vibe of “Don’t Start Now,” a song that manages to be both delightfully independent in its message and club- or gym-ready in its beat.

4. “Con Altura,” Rosalía and J Balvin feat. El Guincho

“Con Altura” takes its name from a radio personality’s catchphrase, suggesting taking something to a new level. The collaboration between Colombian reggaeton master J Balvin and Spanish pop artist Rosalía, known for her flamenco style, did just that. It’s a hit with attitude, perfect for leveling up a workout’s intensity.

3. “Eye of the Tiger,” Suvivor

“Eye of the Tiger” is one of those songs that just gets the people going. (Thanks, Rocky.) Don’t fight it; assume your best all-or-nothing attitude as soon as the early strums start, and keep going.

2. “Motivation,” Normani

Normani’s breakout single “Motivation” does exactly what the song title suggests: works as a fun dance song with a catchy, motivating beat. It doesn’t hurt that the accompanying music video shows the former Fifth Harmony singer and Dancing with the Stars favorite breaking it down with some seriously impressive moves. Motivation, indeed.

1. “Till I Collapse,” Eminem

One of Eminem’s big hits also happens to be a pep talk. “When you feel weak you feel like you want to just give up,” he intones, “but you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength.” Then he blasts off. When the going gets hard, Eminem is here to take you through to the finish line — whatever the workout, whatever the challenge.

• Volodymyr Zelensky’s Struggle to Keep Ukraine in the Fight
• As War Rages in Gaza, Violence Surges in the West Bank
• Why Diagnosing Alzheimer's Early Is So Important
• How Giant Corporations Can Still Get Out of Paying Taxes
• The Big Business of Spooky Season
• The Best Inventions of 2023
• The 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Raisa Bruner at [email protected] .

40 Upbeat Songs to Make Your Workout Fly By

Spotify is currently not available in your country.

Follow us online to find out when we launch., spotify gives you instant access to millions of songs – from old favorites to the latest hits. just hit play to stream anything you like..

Listen everywhere

Spotify works on your computer, mobile, tablet and TV.

Unlimited, ad-free music

No ads. No interruptions. Just music.

Download music & listen offline

Keep playing, even when you don't have a connection.

Premium sounds better

Get ready for incredible sound quality.