Updated: November 30, 2022

23 High Energy Songs For Conferences in 2023

You found our list of the best high energy songs for conferences.

High energy songs for conferences are upbeat tunes meant to pump up the crowd at large meetings. For example, Happy by Pharrell or Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts. The purpose of these songs is to capture and hold the audience’s attention, encourage participation, and boost the energy at corporate events.

These tunes are similar to team building songs, motivational work songs, and songs about teamwork. You can also play this music as conference entertainment, during conference breakout sessions, and at virtual conferences.

songs-for-conferences

This list includes:

  • upbeat music for meetings
  • music for virtual meetings
  • work meeting songs
  • conference music openers

Plus, a conference music playlist. 🎵

Here we go!

List of high energy songs for conferences

Here is a list of music for conferences, meetings, and retreats to energize the audience and motivate meeting participants.

1. Happy – Pharrell

Happy by Pharrell is the ultimate upbeat music for meetings. This track glorifies being happy and remaining cheerful and grateful even in the face of trouble. The beat is every bit as happy as the message. Happy is the perfect example of feel-good music and can serve as a speedy attitude adjustment or mood boost for your crew.

2. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

Don’t Stop Me Now can serve as a self-serving prophecy at big gatherings. Freddy Mercury promises a good time to anyone who joins him, and immediately delivers on that promise through energetic vocals, happy lyrics, and upbeat instrumentals. The joy of this song is contagious and sure to catch on with crowds.

3. Let’s Go Crazy – Prince

Let’s Go Crazy opens with a solemn-sounding interlude, yet quickly switches up the tempo. The chorus commands that listeners let loose and enjoy their time on Earth, or, in this instance, the meeting. This Prince hit is a classic, and is fully capable of stirring a crowd.

4. Counting Stars – One Republic

Counting Stars starts slow and somber, but quickly picks up speed and volume. The lyrics are equal part melancholy and hopeful, and strike a balance between dreaming and doing. The musical backing is fast and epic and inspires a sense of urgency.

5. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown

James Brown’s classic “I Got You” is quite literally good mood music. The underlying sax adds a playful note to the melody, and Brown’s loud declarations of “I feel good!” inspire the audience to feel the same way. This tune is an oldie yet a goodie with cross-generational appeal.

6. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves

Walking on Sunshine is one of the best work meeting songs. The song is bright and stimulating, and it is tough not to crack a smile when this tune plays. You would be hard-pressed to find a more energetic, crowd-pleasing song to kick off the festivities or revive the excitement mid-event.

7. Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake

Can’t Stop the Feeling provided the soundtrack for one of the most fun Oscar openings in recent years, and this song might just be the perfect opening to your conference as well. The song is happy and brimming with hope and enthusiasm, and can set a tone of openness for your gathering.

8. Lovely Day – Bill Withers

Lovely Day can be effective for setting the mood in morning meetings and can encourage a positive mindset. The repetition of “lovely day” becomes a sort of mantra that convinces listeners that all’s right with the world, and the musical accompaniment perfectly fits the theme of the song.

9. 24k Magic – Bruno Mars

Lists like these often suggest “Uptown Funk,” but this Bruno Mars hit is just as worthy of blasting from meeting room speakers. Let Bruno kick off your conference with his command of “Let’s set this party off right,” and watch how affirming the line, “I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket” can be.

10. I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross

I’m Coming Out is one of the classic conference music openers. The song is about making your presence known to the world. This bold declaration can give the gathering a greater sense of purpose, and the joyful tune helps build a sense of camaraderie within the room.

11. Get Lucky- Daft Punk ft Pharrell

Get Lucky blends a quick, electronic backing with smooth vocals to create a happy party song guaranteed to add fun to any meeting. Whether accompanying an entrance or backing the slideshow, Get Lucky can bring extra life into any meeting.

12. It’s My Life – Bon Jovi

It’s My Life is an ode to autonomy. This rock ballad is all about living life on your own terms and seizing opportunities. The song’s heavy guitars and powerful message are massively motivating, and the chorus may prompt a spontaneous singalong.

13. Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Can’t Hold Us is one of the best pieces of music for virtual meetings, or meetings in general. Blast this hit and watch participants try to stay in their seats. This song makes listeners feel like they are unstoppable and the quick tempo is sure to invigorate attendees.

14. High Hopes – Panic! At the Disco

High Hopes is equal parts inspirational and optimistic. The song emphasizes the importance of believing in yourself even when the odds seem unbeatable, and the beat is a bop. If you play this at your next conference, then you are sure to lift spirits.

15. Dog Days are Over – Florence and the Machine

Dog Days are Over is one of the best work meeting songs for when times are tough. The song celebrates finding peace after enduring struggle and proclaims a change in luck. This ballad can be a way to recognize and revive the team after a period of hardship, and a reminder that better days lay ahead.

16. Woo Hoo – The 5 6 7 8’s

Woo Hoo is one of the most fun examples of music for virtual meetings. Most recognizable from a once-popular cell phone commercial and the movie Kill Bill, this short song is an immediate party. The title doubles as the only lyrics, and the instrumentals are fast and fun. This song is one of the best picks for spontaneous dance parties and is the instant antidote to Zoom fatigue or work fatigue.

17. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts

Life is a Highway is a high-spirited song about adventure and persistence. The lyrics show that life can be a roller coaster, but the best way to face existence is with a can-do attitude. The music is made for toe-tapping, dancing, and humming along, and the perky melody practically begs folks to get on their feet.

18. Beautiful Day – U2

Beautiful Day is the musical equivalent of a ray of sunshine. This song brims with possibility and positivity and is buoyed by a swelling instrumental harmony. This track helps attendees feel hopeful, mindful, and happy to be present.

19. All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled

All I Do Is Win is one of the best conference music openers. This jam inspires a winning mindset and gives listeners permission to brag about their accomplishments. This song is perfect for celebrating recent success and pumping up employees to achieve even greater goals.

20. Lose Yourself – Eminem

Lose Yourself is about performing, seizing chances, and rising to challenges to make a better life for yourself. However, the real heart of the song is the steady thump in the background. If you only play the instrumentals or introduction, this will still be enough to hype up attendees.

21. Bulletproof – La Roux

Bulletproof is a breakup song about not letting anyone get the better of you, however the meaning can be stretched to apply to winning in the business world as well. Lyrics aside, the catchy hook is guaranteed to get crowds energized and empowered.

22. Run This Town – JAY-Z, Rihanna, and Ye

Run This Town is a collaboration between three musical powerhouses, and is the ultimate “we’re in charge anthem.” This song can stir up self esteem and company pride and make participants feel like a part of something larger than themselves. The beat alone is enough to make listeners feel invincible.

23. Touch the Sky – Ye

The artist formally known as Kanye West is perhaps the epitome of self-confidence. Much of his work pays tribute to his own abilities, and Touch the Sky is one of the most perfect examples of that self-belief. The song is about becoming a legend, and has good musical bones to go along with its uplifting message. Any Ye song works wonders for hyping up a crowd, and Touch the Sky is one of the tracks most safe for work.

Here is a conference music playlist to provide the soundtrack for your next major meeting.

Final Thoughts

It can be tricky to kick off conferences on a high note and keep all attendees engaged throughout the event. Beginning events with high energy music can awaken the audience, supercharge the room’s energy, and help participants to have more positive and memorable experiences. Music is the secret weapon to set the tone and make large meetings effective and unforgettable. The songs on this list guarantee to perk ears and get toes tapping.

Next, check out this list of morning meeting games, this list of all hands meeting ideas, and these ideas for a team building dance.

We also have a list of the best swag ideas for conferences, list of conference giveaway ideas, list of conference quotes, list of jokes for conferences, and  a list of conference agenda templates.

FAQ: High energy music for conferences

Here are answers to common questions about high energy music for conferences.

What are some good high energy songs for conferences?

Some good high energy songs for conferences include Happy by Pharrell, High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco, All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled, and Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.

Why should you play high energy music at conferences and meetings?

You should play high energy music at conferences and meetings because it can instantly energize the audience and improve participants’ experience. High energy songs boost participants’ moods, capture audience attention, and make attendees more receptive to messaging.

How do you choose good music for conferences and retreats?

If you can imagine the song being played at a campaign rally, then it is a good bet the tune will energize the audience. Great corporate event music has inspiring lyrics and uplifting music. Typically, the best event soundtracks consist of well-known pop hits and tend to be happy and hopeful in nature.

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Author:

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.
Team building content expert. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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