Putting together an upbeat, emotional, or heartfelt story can be challenging, and the music you choose is a big part of setting the tone for your audience. If you’re after the most popular, trending songs for Instagram stories, then we’ve got you covered.
- “As It Was” by Harry Styles
- “Massive” by Drake
- “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
- “Where You Are” by PinkPathress
- “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish
- “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande
- “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion
- “Anyone” by Justin Bieber
- “Dynamite” by BTS
- “Levitating” by Dua Lipa
- “Peaches” by Justin Bieber
- “Willow” by Taylor Swift
- “Life Is Good” by Future
- “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
- “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles
- “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Dean Martin
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
- “First Class” by Jack Harlow
- “Big Energy” by Latto
- “Chicken Teriyaki” by Rosalia
- “Take My Breath” by the Weeknd
- “Feeling Myself” by Nicki Minaj
- “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat
- “I Like It” by Cardi B
- “Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga
- “I Love It” by Icona Pop
- “Cold Heart” by Elton John ; Dua Lipa
- “Driver’s License” by Olivia Rodrigo
- “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish
- “Perfect Day” by Tundra Beats
- “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo
- “Garden Song” by Phoebe Bridgers
- “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
- “Better” by Khalid
- “STAY” by Justin Bieber, The Kid, and LAROI
Whether you’re showing off your summer pictures, traveling overseas, or recapping a great night out with friends, these 35 songs have everything you need to stay trendy and capture your fiery personality. The rest of this article will walk you through each of these songs to find the perfect one for your Instagram story.
“As It Was” by Harry Styles
Fresh off the drop in April this year, “As It Was” is a beautiful song to reflect on the past and add an air of nostalgia to your story. If you’re showing baby pictures, then this song perfectly encapsulates the new life journey you’re on.
Similarly, when you’re entering a new stage of your life, this song will really hit your audience in the feels and reflect how things have changed over the years.
“Massive” by Drake
It’s hard to go wrong with a song by the GOAT himself. This upbeat dance tune captures a quick and peppy mood and is immediately recognizable to anyone who hears it.
Drake’s wistful, echoing voice in the verses blends into an explosive dance chorus that’s perfect to cover your story.
“About Damn Time” by Lizzo
One of the hottest songs for Instagram stories right now, Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” captures that perfect upbeat vibe for just about every occasion.
In particular, the second verse, “In a minute / I’mma need a / Sentimental / Man or woman / To pump me up” is incredibly recognizable and covers just about any story theme you can think up.
Whether you’re out on a traveling adventure with your besties or just feeling super pumped up, Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” has got exactly the vibe you’re after in a song for your IG story.
“Where You Are” by PinkPathress
A perfect viral TikTok hit, “Where You Are” is a great overlay on your Instagram story, capturing the vibe of lost love. The song still has a great peppy quality, and the instantly recognizable chorus is perfect to fit within the 15-second time limit.
“Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish
“Bad Guy” is an iconic song that has an offbeat feel to give your story an edge. Whether you’re a fan of Billie Eilish’s dark tone or just want to give your story that suspenseful, tense atmosphere, “Bad Guy” is the perfect song for you.
“thank u, next” by Ariana Grande
There’s nothing better than a story paying homage to one of the greatest artists of our time. Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” is not only iconic, but it also has the perfect tone for a breakup story. If you want to go with one of the classics in your story, then this one is for you.
“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion
The undisputed queen of savage herself, Megan Thee Stallion, is a great choice for a pick-me-up song to reflect your spunky personality. Whether your story is about a night on the town or just flaring your style, this rap is one for the ages.
“Anyone” by Justin Bieber
One of the top tier feel-good songs, “Anyone” by Justin Bieber captures that youthful, happy song with a wistful vibe that’s iconic to Bieber. Use this song over footage of you and your soulmate to emphasize that heartfelt emotional vibes.
“Dynamite” by BTS
Everyone knows this classic song by K-pop group BTS, and the upbeat, high-octane sound of the chorus goes great with just about any story. For a night on the town or a hang out with friends, this song is perfect. If you’re feeling like dynamite, this song is perfect for your story.
“Levitating” by Dua Lipa
Speaking of having a good time, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa is all about having a good time. Not only is the song extremely popular with hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, but it’s also a perfect way to spice up your story with an upbeat, standout song to capture the mood.
“Peaches” by Justin Bieber
The poster child for summer vibes, “Peaches” is just an all-around happy song that’s great for summer posts. Hanging out with friends or enjoying drinks on the beach are two great examples for when you’d want to use this song on your Instagram story.
“Willow” by Taylor Swift
If you’re wanting a more emotional feel to your song, then Taylor Swift is just the artist to deliver that vibe. The lyrics in “Willow” are all about growth and change, so if you’re wanting your audience to feel the nostalgia or loneliness in your life, use this romantic, sad song.
“Life Is Good” by Future
This song is a great way to express how hard you’re working and partying, perfect for showing off your hustle in life. With an upbeat, electronic vibe, “Life Is Good” is a great way to capitalize on the excitement of the weekend after a hard week’s work.
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
One of the greats, “A Thousand Years” has a great, emotional, simple sound that matches perfectly with pictures of you and a loved one. This song goes great over pictures of an engagement or an anniversary for your significant other, and the simple, beautiful lyrics are immediately recognizable.
“All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles
You can’t go wrong with The Beatles, and if you’re a fan of the oldies, this is the perfect song for you. This song is a great choice to cover your travel adventure with a loved one. The brass in the chorus adds a little spice to the vibe of this song, and the short and sweet guitar licks after the chorus accentuate the sweet sound.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Dean Martin
This list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to a Christmas classic. In the winter, this song is perfect to convey the mood of wanting to snuggle up with your significant other and watch a movie while sipping a cup of hot cocoa. It’s a perfect song to go over some winter pictures or a travel montage.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
The sweetest of the sweet, Elvis will always hold a special place in our hearts, and his voice is instantly recognizable to anyone watching your story. The simple lyrics are great to go over pictures of you with your significant other.
“First Class” by Jack Harlow
If you’re feeling a little fancy, then “First Class” is a great song to spice up the mood of your story. Been traveling recently? This song is a great way to cover all of your adventures and convey the elegance that comes with just being you. It’s also just a great, smooth song to include in your story.
“Big Energy” by Latto
“Big Energy” is a real banger if you’re feeling sassy. An iconic vibe by rapper Latto, this song is perfect if you’re feeling like you can take on the world. Show off your wild side and add this song to your Instagram story.
“Chicken Teriyaki” by Rosalia
The upbeat drum track of “Chicken Teriyaki” is a great vibe for just about any Instagram story. Not only is the vibe of the song incredibly unique, but it’s great to dance to as well. Add “Chicken Teriyaki” to your library of Instagram story songs to give your audience a taste of your unique flair.
“Take My Breath” by The Weeknd
The Weeknd has a unique vibe that is great for conveying your emotions towards your significant other or a crush. The iconic lyrics, “Take my breath away / And make it last forever / Do it now or never,” are a great addition to the feel of this song for you Instagram story. The ’80s-inspired pop tune is also a great cover for throwback photos or parties as well.
“Feeling Myself” by Nicki Minaj
With an iconic combo of Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé, there’s nothing more you could really want in a song for your Instagram story. For a night out on the town or a party with your best friends, this empowering anthem is perfect to capture that party-hard attitude for your story.
“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat
Doja Cat has a habit of making absolute bangers that are great to add some pep to your stories. Pretty much regardless of what you’re posting, this song is a great one to add to your library to energize your Instagram story and make it pop for your audience.
“I Like It” by Cardi B
What more is there to say? “I Like It” is a great song to capture that elusive vacation vibe. If you’ve got some great pics that you’re itching to share with the world, then “I Like It” is a great bop to make your followers feel like they were right there with you.
“Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga
The pairing of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande makes “Rain on Me” a great power anthem for anything you’re struggling through. If you’re feeling unstoppable as you handle something difficult in your life, this song is a great choice to show off your indomitable personality and drive to push through.
“I Love It” by Icona Pop
Perhaps the greatest throwback of all time, “I Love It” has a simple, impossible-not-to-sing-along-to chorus that will make your party pics pop. The added air of nostalgia in this classic makes it a great choice for some of your throwback pics, too.
“Cold Heart” by Elton John and Dua Lipa
“Cold Heart” is just a great vibe with some amazing undercutting bass and great vocals by the Elton John and Dual Lipa. This song is a great bop and perfect for any upbeat post with a reflective undertone. Add this to your throwbacks or travel shorts to spice up your story.
“Driver’s License” by Olivia Rodrigo
The perfect breakup anthem, “Driver’s License” has that dance-worthy vibe that’s perfect for de-stressing. If you’re feeling confident in yourself after a breakup and want to share that with the world, then this song is a perfect pick to add to your Instagram story.
“Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish
Another perfect breakup song, “Happier Than Ever” delivers that great background track to emphasize the feeling of being better off without a toxic partner. If you need a song with that distinct Billie Eilish vibe to go over your breakup story, “Happier Than Ever” is a great pick for you.
“Perfect Day” by Tundra Beats
One of the more recent songs on this list, “Perfect Day” is a slow, easygoing song that’s great for any kind of “just chilling” content. A relaxing day on the beach, a lazy day at home, or just a catchup post are all perfect occasions to use this song for your Instagram story.
“Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo
Another great hit by Olivia Rodrigo, “Good 4 U” is a relatable song for anyone posting about their ex. If you’ve recently overcome a toxic relationship, then this is a great addition to your Instagram story songs. Display your comeback potential and show your spirit in your IG story.
“Garden Song” by Phoebe Bridgers
On the other end of the spectrum, “Garden Song” is a great song to express how content you are with someone you love. The slow and mellow feel of this track is a great vibe for an emotional moment and goes great as a cover for any romantic IG story posts.
“Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
“Watermelon Sugar” is a track about the simple things in life that bring you joy. If there’s a person or place that fills you with happiness, then this song is a great choice to capture that vibe.
Better yet, “Watermelon Sugar” is always associated with summer, so it’s also a great choice as a song for your summer adventures, a day out on the beach, or a summer party with friends.
“Better” by Khalid
“Better” is a great song to express your relationship with a friend or a loved one. The lyrics are all about how someone close to you makes your life better just by being around you. It’s an emotional song and a great choice for anyone wanting to capture that emotional vibe of being with someone who just makes you a better person all around.
“STAY” by Justin Bieber, The Kid LAROI
A pop track that’s famous for use in IG stories, “STAY” is a great vibe for missing a loved one. It’s a really great one for giving you and your followers the feels, and Bieber’s beautiful voice just adds to the pop feel of this song. If you’re feeling a little sad yet upbeat, this is the perfect song for your IG story.
Final Thoughts
Putting together a great Instagram story can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what kind of music you want. It’s definitely worth putting together a playlist for songs that have different vibes so that you always have music on hand to add to your stories.
From the spunky, sassy vibe of “Good 4 U” to the sweet, iconic sound of “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” there are countless great songs out there that you can use to add some emotional attachment to your stories to build a bigger following and create more of a buzz around your content.
Adding music increases audience engagement and immediately sets the tone for what your story is going to look like, so if you haven’t been using this resource to full effect, then it’s time to take advantage of the popular songs on this list to add music to your stories!
