With those dark mornings inching in, a carefully curated playlist can be key to reviving your spirits when heading into work.
Research shows that the average Brit spends 59 minutes commuting to work each day. So, whether you’re travelling on foot, by bus or by train, some great tunes can really help you beat the blues and fire up your mental and physical performance.
But what are the undisputed toe-tappers of Autumn 2023?
Jardine Motors has crawled Spotify and crunched the numbers to identify the top songs that appear most across driving and commute-related playlists. From Monday blues to Friday feeling!
If you’re heading into the office – fear not. Crank up the aux or plug in those headphones and enjoy the journey.
10. Anti-hero – Taylor Swift
The queen of 2023, ‘Tay Tay’ has been on a roll this year with a string of smash hits. Anti Hero, the lead single from her chart-topping Midnights album, has proved an evergreen hit and makes for a vibey commuter soundtrack.
Best enjoyed watching the world wake up with a morning coffee in hand.
9. Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
Perhaps a surprise entry, this 1980s classic is finding fresh expression in the public’s commuter playlists, featuring heavily across Spotify’s playlist miner.
Everybody wants this on their morning playlist for a reason. Its timeless synth-pop hook and bright musicality make it a cross-generational classic.
8. Paint the Town Red – Doja Cat
Rapper Doja Cat capped her fabulous appearance at the Paris Fashion Week – head to toe in scarlet body paint and 30,000 Swarovski crystals – with a single, Paint the Town Red, which placed hip hop back at the top of the US Billboard 100.
The song is backed by bouncy production, sampling Dionne Warwick’s Walk On By and self-assertive lyrics, which make it perfect for a commute with attitude.
7. Dance the Night – Dua Lipa
Unquestionably, the soundtrack of the Summer after appearing on the Barbie soundtrack, this disco-inflected bop can turn any dark Oppenheimer mood hot pink in an instant.
With its mirrorball shimmer, this is bound to sound the business, whether it’s on your AirPods or approved used Land Rover speakers.
6. Late Night Talking – Harry Styles
While the song’s subject matter may be strictly after hours, the song’s glossy R&B production makes this a firm favourite for the am.
Put on your best work attire and strut your stuff. If you’re feeling down, this song just wants to make you happier, baby.
5. Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift books her place in our top 10 for the second time with her most recent offering (although initially recorded in 2019). As well as appearing 44 times on ‘Morning Drives’ playlists, the song placed 5th on commuter playlists across the country.
We can see why. Backed by pulsing synths, Taylor’s account of an intense summer romance is another infectious number from the new queen of pop.
4. vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
It’s hard to escape vampire at the moment, a delicious revenge song from the Disney starlet. The heartfelt ballad breaks the mould for current chart songs, eschewing pop beats in favour of a piano-led arrangement.
When the song builds to its crescendo, it’s a powerful premise and bound to leave you in a defiant state of mind for whatever the day may throw at you.
3. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
From Generation Z all the way back to 1977. Some 46 years later, Dreams is still in the hearts of morning music lovers up and down the country and sits third in our top 10.
In recent times, the song has received a new lease of life, appearing in viral TikTok videos, winning ageing rockers new fans with a younger audience. Begin your day in laid-back California style with this all-time classic.
2. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
The sunny optimism of the George Harrison-penned Here Comes the Sun may well be a welcome tonic to darker mornings and colder weather.
The song placed second on Spotify users’ ‘Morning Commute’ playlists. It is unsurprising, given that this is the Fab Four’s most streamed song, with well over a billion listeners.
1. Flowers – Miley Cyrus
Now, when it comes to track of the year, Flowers would give any track a run for its money. The song smashed records early in the year as the most streamed song in a week on Spotify, so it’s little surprise this ranks top spot in the Spotify ‘Morning Commute’ category.
With a slinky bassline and killer drums, it’s a pumping ode to self-love, sure to brighten anyone’s day.
