21 Of The Best Songs About Good Times And Memories

Who doesn’t love having a good time? We all do! We party, we connect with friends, and we do the things that make our hearts happier.

With these themes, we can find endless choices of songs celebrating good times. They are joyful songs about celebrating or getting excited about life. There are also sad songs looking back on the good ol’ days and helping us cherish moments from our past.

However, most of the songs on this list are cheerful and joyous. This is the perfect list to refer to when you want to commemorate the good things in your life or just start your day on a positive note. Without further ado, here are 21 of the best songs about good times. Have fun reading!

1. “Celebration” By Kool & The Gang

When we talk about songs with “good times” in the lyrics, “Celebration” comes to mind. This timeless classic by Kool & the Gang remains a party anthem more than four decades later.

Its lyrics, groovy beat, and excited vocals made this hit a timeless classic that people of all ages enjoy. The chorus goes, “Celebrate good times, come on! (Let’s celebrate).” With lyrics like that, who will resist going to the floor to dance?

Because of its cheerful vibes and lyrics about dancing and partying, it’s a common song for weddings, birthdays, and other special events.

2. “Happy” By Pharrell Williams

Another song that has the power to instantly put people in a good mood is “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. It appeared on the soundtrack of Despicable Me 2 but has become a timeless hit for bringing people joy in any circumstance.

With its upbeat tempo and cheerful lyrics full of positivity, this song embodies happiness. The singer’s level of happiness is too high that nothing, not even bad news, can bring him down.

With the ability to bring us joy, this song is a powerful reminder to enjoy life no matter the circumstances.

3. “Good Times” By Chic

The classic funk song “Good Times” by Chic is an anthem for celebrating life and having a good time with friends. The song is all about partying and enjoying life, even amidst tough times.

In this song with “good times” in the title, the singer declares that now is the time to have fun. It’s better to take advantage of the happy days and “put an end to this stress and strife.”

The lyrics are full of positivity, saying how times might be challenging. But you can leave your worries behind. “The clock keeps turning,” meaning we shouldn’t wait until later to celebrate life.

4. “Party Rock Anthem” By LMFAO

Our next song mentions having a good time in a way that you can’t resist! LMFAO released “Party Rock Anthem” in 2011 from their Sorry for Party Rocking album.

The tune became a global hit in 2011, encouraging people worldwide to go out and party. It’s a fun song about not taking life too seriously and letting loose. It’s hard not to get up and dance to its catchy tune and lyrics.

“Party Rock Anthem” focuses on having fun in a club environment, as the lyrics specifically portray. However, this is a fantastic song choice for birthdays, weddings, or any event where you want to have fun.

5. “September” By Earth, Wind, & Fire

If you’re looking for a song that you can dance to, “September” by Earth, Wind, & Fire is a classic choice. Though it first set dance floors on fire in the late ’70s, it remains just as popular to this day.

The song is about reflecting on the great times shared with friends and loved ones. But it’s also about celebrating life in general. Its soulful beat, upbeat tempo, and fantastic horn section make it a joy to listen to.

The chorus speaks of the nostalgia of a time when there was lots of joy and dancing. It further encourages listeners to continue creating those times in the current moment.

6. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” By Cyndi Lauper

What’s wrong with having a little fun every now and then? Everyone deserves it, even working girls, as Cyndi Lauper‘s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” says. The song has been used for bachelorette parties, movies, birthday parties, and so much more.

In the song, we can see how the singer’s parents disagree with how she lives her life. Their reaction is spurred by her party lifestyle, but she tells them that “girls just wanna have fun.”

It doesn’t mean quitting her job and never caring about her responsibilities. But this iconic song is a reminder to take some time off to relax, have fun with your friends, and enjoy life.

7. “Good Times” By Sam Cooke

Enjoying and celebrating life is essential. It not only benefits us physically but mentally as well. Sam Cooke sings about it in the 1964 hit “Good Times.”

In the song, the singer urges his listeners to “let the good times roll.” He plans on doing that by spending the evening partying. He’s thinking about getting in the groove, dancing, and drinking.

And it doesn’t matter what time it is for him. If it’s going to take all night, then so be it. What’s important is taking advantage of the good feeling he has at the moment.

8. “Good Times Bad Times” By Led Zeppelin

Good times and bad times go hand in hand. And it’s only natural for each of us to go through these moments throughout our lives. In Led Zeppelin‘s “Good Times Bad Times,” the singer looks back on these moments.

One particular memory he remembers is falling in love at 16. We all know how it feels when we’re in love at this age. Every day seems to be a good day. But then they broke up.

Later on, he’s had another bad experience when his woman leaves him for another man. This prompts him to say he’d had his fair share of good times and bad times.

9. “Malibu” By Miley Cyrus

Singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus has a diverse collection of hits. There are emotional ballads, club bangers, and everything in between. But “Malibu” stands out as a sentimental ode to a place that makes her feel good and free.

“Malibu” is also a thank you to the person that introduced her to this place. In the lyrics, she says that she “never came to the beach.” But thanks to her lover, she experiences sitting under the hot sun, digging her feet in the sand.

The lyrics depict the good times in Malibu, where the sky appears bluer with him around. Being in a place that’s memorable for both of them is a dream come true for her.

10. “I Gotta Feeling” By Black Eyed Peas

If you need the perfect call to party, listen to Black Eyed Peas‘ “I Gotta Feeling.” Its upbeat tempo, zestful instrumental, and exciting lyrics make it the perfect song to start the night with a bang.

The song’s gist is that no matter what happens during the day, it’s important to look forward to the rest of the night. It doesn’t matter what day it is. The song even says that you can party every day.

With that in mind, you can manifest a good night by simply feeling like it will be. It’s the perfect song to play at the beginning of the night when you’re preparing to go out and have the time of your life.

11. “Give Me Everything” By Pitbull

Our next song, Pitbull‘s “Give Me Everything,” has a similar sentiment to “I Gotta Feeling.” It’s about letting go of your cares and worries and taking advantage of life by having a good time.

And there’s no better time to do it than at the moment. There’s no point waiting for tomorrow to celebrate. Because, as Pitbull sings, “We might not get tomorrow.”

It’s great to listen to the song before a night out to get yourself pumped up for a party. It’s also a fun song to hear when you’re already out dancing because of its energetic beat. It’s hard not to have a good time with this summer hit.

12. “We R Who We R” By Ke$ha

Our list of songs keeps getting better, and now we’re down to another popular party song, this time from Ke$ha. She is known for her list of high-energy club hits. “We R Who We R” is one of them.

This song is about being yourself and getting crazy. A night in town partying means dressing up and dancing the night away. It’s all about having a good time in the company of your friends.

This song is perfect for people who want to go out and be a little bit shameless. The lyrics invite us to be true to ourselves and free rather than worry about other people’s opinions.

13. “Be Alright” By Ariana Grande

Sometimes songs are simultaneously about challenging times and good times. Ariana Grande‘s “Be Alright” indicates that you might be sad and down now, but there will be good times ahead.

“Be Alright” also encourages listeners to make the conscious choice to look forward to those times. No one says it’s going to be easy. But it pays to take into heart that “the hard times are golden ’cause they all lead to better days.”

In other words, things “come and go.” There are times for tears, and there are times for happiness. The singer suggests having the right mindset so you can get through challenging times.

14. “I’m On A Boat” By Lonely Island, Ft. T-Pain

Up next is Lonely Island‘s “I’m On a Boat,” a comedy gold. This is a parody of various rap video cliches and garnered a Grammy nomination in 2010.

“I’m on a boat” is a phrase that means someone feels awesome. And the song is coincidentally about good times on a boat and feeling sorry for everyone on land.

Some of the good moments while being on a boat include drinking “Santana champ,” flipping burgers, climbing buoys, and riding dolphins. It’s a satirical song, but it doesn’t hurt to put this on whenever you want to feel good.

15. “22” By Taylor Swift

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift writes songs mostly about love. But “22” is all about having a good time and enjoying your life. That is, no matter what age you are.

The song begins with the declaration that “it feels like a perfect night” to have a good time. That includes dressing up, making fun of exes, and being a little reckless.

“Feeling 22” means the singer is recollecting the happy times in her youth. It was also a time of being “happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way.”

16. “Sky Walker” By Miguel

What does it feel like to “celebrate every day like a birthday”? It sounds fun, isn’t it? But that’s not the only thing Miguel tells us in “Sky Walker.”

The song is about enjoying all the good moments that life has to offer. It says that we do not control what happens to our lives. But we can definitely do something by controlling how we respond to these things.

So “take a shot” and “just enjoy the moment” because we only have one life. Celebrating our lives is the perfect way to live.

17. “Hometown Glory” By Adele

Many of the songs on this list are about having a good time now or in the upcoming future. But Adele‘s “Hometown Glory” is a nostalgic ode to good times in the past.

We find the singer going about her hometown, “just wandering.” It’s either she had been away for quite a while and missed her old place. Or, she had never left and has a new appreciation for where she grew up.

Either way, she relishes the fresh memories that her hometown stirs in her mind. But it will always be the people she is grateful for, calling them the “wonders” of her world.

18. “Photograph” By Nickelback

Who says we can’t go back to the good times in the past? Just look at the photos you took when you were young, and they will stir memories of a time gone by. Nickelback helps us reminisce with their hit single “Photograph.”

In the lyrics, the singer remembers all the fond memories of his youth as he looks at the photos. One particular photograph makes him laugh, while another reminds him of the times he snuck out.

For every memory, he has a souvenir in the form of photographs. But he wishes he could go back and relive those days.

19. “Don’t Stop Me Now” By Queen

There’s nothing that can replace the feeling of euphoria. So when we’re having a good time, we don’t want anyone to stop us. That’s what Queen wants to tell us in “Don’t Stop Me Now.”

When we’re having a good time, it feels like we can achieve the impossible. Such as “burnin’ through the sky” and “traveling at the speed of light.”

In his happy state, the singer feels like “a shooting star” and “a racing car.” He implores his listeners not to stop him and let him enjoy the feeling.

20. “Right Time” By Hayden James And Icona Pop

As the title says, now is the “Right Time” to have a great time! The song is a collaboration between Australian DJ Hayden James and the Swedish electropop duo Icona Pop.

“Right Time” is a fun party song about living life to the fullest and dancing until sunrise. There’s imagery around dancing intimately, throwing your hands up, and almost saying goodbye but getting lost in the music, vibe, and people around you.

These lyrics, combined with a funky, high-energy beat, are the perfect recipe for having a good time.

21. “All Night” By Chance the Rapper Ft. Knox Fortune

Have you experienced wanting to have fun, but then people rain on your parade? Chance the Rapper knows the feeling as shown in “All Night” from his Coloring Book album.

In the song, the singer just wants to party all night long. But we can tell he’s someone famous as people wait for his arrival outside the club. Then suddenly, everyone is all over him: women and people who claim they’re his cousin.

Everyone has an ulterior motive, none of which is good for him. All they want to do is talk or hitch a ride with him.

Summing Up Our List Of Good Times Songs

In life, it’s not always sunshine. Isn’t it a good thing to have something to remind us of those good times?

Thank goodness for the songs above, they help to set a happy mood. To remind us that it’s not a bad thing to have fun or relive the times that made us happy.

So if you want to celebrate a happy moment or just want some uplifting tunes to brighten your day, we’re hoping you found a song to match.

Photo of author
Written by Dan Farrant
Dan Farrant, the founder of Hello Music Theory, has been teaching music for over 15 years, helping hundreds of thousands of students unlock the joy of music. He graduated from The Royal Academy of Music in 2012 and then launched Hello Music Theory in 2014. He plays the guitar, piano, bass guitar and double bass and loves teaching music theory.