123 Best songs for Instagram stories & trending music
I use Instagram stories almost every day, and if you’re a content creator/blogger, you should too! This is your step-by-step guide to adding music, flavour and emotion by adding the best songs for Instagram stories to help your storytelling.
Instagram stories have become one of the most popular ways to share snippets of your daily lives with your followers and friends and connect with your audience. One of the best ways to enhance your Instagram stories is by adding music to them, and with the introduction of Instagram Reels, the options for adding music to your stories have only increased.
Low story views on Instagram? I have a full guide on how to improve story views.
Instagram also shows stories to people who don’t follow you, so make sure they are well top notch. Obviously we know the Instagram algorithm prioritises content that does well, so now more than ever it is important to polish off your content, ensure that people are engaging and make it interesting. It’s good to show a bit of your creative expression too.
Instagram music not working? Check out my other blog post on 17 quick fixes for music not working on Instagram.
We all know that music evokes thoughts, feelings, memories… so why not use this to your advantage when uploading stories? I do it all the time!
I actually recommend saving trending audio as you go, as you’ll find that remixes of popular artists’ songs will appear in on your feed. But when this fails, I sometimes struggle to think what to post, so I revert to the most popular trending songs, classic hits and upbeat music.
Good news; the hard work has been done for you, and you can just refer to the below list for everything you’ll need to know – open up the Instagram app and get uploading! Some of my recommendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Low story views on Instagram? I have a full guide on how to improve story views.
Instagram music not working? Check out my other blog post on 17 quick fixes for music not working on Instagram.
120 Best songs for Instagram stories & trending music
Here’s my list of the 120 best songs for Instagram stories, arranged by artist, so you can find the perfect song for any occasion. Make sure you choose the right song for the vibe you want to evoke – for example, use a classic song like Lady Gaga’s Born this way, for anyone that’s a little fun and alterative.
Remember there are new songs coming out every day so you might want to keep up to date with the charts. Here are the best songs for Instagram stories.
See my 20k story views below!
Dua Lipa:
- Levitating
- Don’t Start Now
- Love Again
- Hallucinate
Dua Lipa is one of the most popular artists, and her good songs have a catchy beat and great choruses that can make your stories super uplifting. Levitating is one of her most popular songs and is perfect for an energetic Instagram story.
Dua Lipa is just a total boss. She’s open about her struggles with mental health, she’s talented, stylish, and authentic – what’s not to love?
Some of the best songs for Instagram stories.
Taylor Swift:
- Blank Space
- Purple Haze
- Anti-Hero
- Shake It Off
- You Belong With Me
- Style
Swifties will know all about her albums and songs, and she’s popular right now – when is she not though? Here are some of her best songs for Instagram stories.
Wildest Dreams is a classic, probably my favourite Taylor Swift song and Shake it off is a great addition to make your Instagram story BOUNCE.
Ariana Grande:
- Positions
- 7 rings
- God is a woman
- Into You
Ariana Grande’s music has been dominating the music industry for years now and she’s pretty universally popular. Her songs are popular, feminist and powerful and rings well in female audiences. It’s also uplifting, her good mood songs like 7 rings is perfect to add to fun stories. Some of the best songs for Instagram stories
Justin Bieber:
- Yummy
- Holy
- Peaches
- Intentions
Like him or love him, he’s been in the industry for over a decade now and you’ll have definitely heard his music. It has always been popular on social media platforms, and his recent songs have been trending on Instagram stories.
Peaches is a popular song that can add a fun element to your Instagram story. Also, I don’t care what anyone says, Yummy is the perfect audio for food stories!
Harry Styles:
- Watermelon Sugar
- Music for a Sushi Restaurant
- Adore You
- As it was
I don’t know what to say about King Harry, other than he’s loved by women worldwide unapologetically for his songs, catchy chorus and good looks. Some of the best songs for Instagram stories.
He’s super feminist, popular and has a certain sex appeal. Harry has gained so much popularity for the way he uses his platform to promote positivity and inclusivity. He’s always advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, and often shuts down reporters who belittle his ‘young teen fan base’.
Billie Eilish:
- bad guy
- everything i wanted
- my future
- Therefore I Am
Billie Eilish is an incredibly talented young star in the music industry, and her music has become popular on Instagram, on the radio, on James Bond movies… everywhere! Some of the best songs for Instagram stories. Some of the best songs for Instagram stories you should be adding!
Her songs have a unique sound and her edgy lyrics are perfect for those who want to add a more moody vibe to their Instagram stories. She also resonates with a younger audience, so might be worth keeping that in mind.
Doja Cat:
- Say So
- Kiss Me More
- Streets
- Like That
Doja Cat is pop-you-lar! She has taken the music industry by storm. Her songs have a mix of pop and hip hop and are perfect for those who want to add a little bit of edge to their Instagram stories.
Say So is an upbeat song that trended on Instagram and TikTok since the pandemic, and it’s perfect for adding a feel-good vibe to your story, probably some of the best songs for Instagram stories@
She’s not afraid to experiment with different sounds; you might find her rapping, singing, or mixing genres, there’s only one thing that stays consistent, and that is her songs always turn out good.
J Balvin:
- Mi Gente
- Ay Vamos
- Un Dia
- Agua
J Balvin is a Latin music star who has been making waves in the music industry for years now. His songs are perfect if you want to add a little bit of Latin flavour to your Instagram stories. Mi Gente is a song that has been trending on Instagram for a while, and everyone will recognise it.
Sean Paul:
- Get Busy
- Temperature
- We Be Burnin’
- Cheap Thrills
Sean Paul’s music brings back memories of fun and carefree times with friends, and his infectious rhythms always get me singing along. Obviously, he has ome of the best songs for Instagram stories.
Bruno Mars:
- Uptown Funk
- 24K Magic
- That’s What I Like
- Just The Way You Are
Bruno Mars’ incredible voice and dynamic performances never fail to captivate, and his beautiful song Just the way you are has been the soundtrack to many great moments in everyone’s life, so you’ll be able to strike a chord with everyone.
Lady Gaga:
- Poker Face
- Bad Romance
- Shallow
- Born This Way
Lady Gaga’s unique blend of theatricality, vulnerability, and empowerment is just classic – these good time tunes will resonate with loads of your followers. Chuck the songs on your stories! Born this way is the perfect choice for content creators that have a more alternative vibe. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Olivia Rodrigo:
- Drivers License
- good 4 u
- deja vu
- Traitor
Olivia Rodrigo’s heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals capture the complex emotions of youth in a way that resonates deeply with her audience; good vibes and soulful music! Definitely some of the best songs for Instagram stories!
Kendrick Lamar:
- Humble
- DNA
- Alright
- King Kunta
Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking lyrics are perfect for interesting and moody stories. Humble is a great choice! Some of the best songs for Instagram stories.
Elton John:
- Tiny Dancer
- Rocket Man
- Bennie and the Jets
- Your Song
I mean, what can I say about Elton? Nothing you don’t already know. Some of the best songs for Instagram stories. He’s a classic, as are his songs. Popular with literally everyone.
Ed Sheeran:
- Shape of You
- Thinking Out Loud
- Bibia be ye ye
- Castle on the Hill
Another one I really don’t need to introduce. He’s just got a vibe. Bibia be ye ye is super upbeat, make sure you add this to any stories you need to be uplifting!
The Kid LAROI:
- Without You
- F*CK LOVE
- Stay
- So Done
The Kid Laroi’s raw and honest approach to music makes it super popular; his talent at such a young age is impressive, and resonates with a young audience too. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Van Morrison:
- Brown Eyed Girl
- Moondance
- Into The Mystic
- Wild Night
Van Morrison’s soulful voice and poetic lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Nicki Minaj:
- Super Bass
- Anaconda
- Starships
- Chun-Li
Nicki Minaj’s fierce energy and unapologetic attitude is for your bold stories!
Tame Impala:
- The Less I Know The Better
- Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
- Eventually
- Borderline
Tame Impala’s psychedelic soundscapes transport me to another world but still also make me think. Perfect for chilled, low fi vibes. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Cardi B:
- WAP
- Up
- Bodak Yellow
- I Like It
Cardi B’s bold and unfiltered personality is both entertaining and inspiring, and her music never fails to get people hyped up! Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories.
The Weeknd:
- Blinding Lights
- Save Your Tears
- Can’t Feel My Face
- Starboy
Vibe: Moody, atmospheric, and seductive, with a blend of R&B, pop, and electronic influences. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Bad Bunny:
- Dakiti
- Mía
- La Canción
- Callaita
Infectious and energetic, with a fusion of reggaeton, trap, and Latin rhythms… a gen z favourite!
Miley Cyrus:
- Wrecking Ball
- Midnight Sky
- Party in the U.S.A.
- The Climb
Bold and unapologetic, with a mix of rock, pop, and country sounds, some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Rihanna:
- Umbrella
- Work
- Diamonds
- Love on the Brain
Vibe: Empowering and sultry, with a versatile mix of dancehall, R&B, and pop music. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Beyoncé:
- Texas Hold EM
- Crazy in Love
- Halo
- Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
- Drunk in Love
Confident and powerful, with a dynamic range of R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences.
Post Malone:
- Sunflower
- Rockstar
- Congratulations
- Better Now
Melancholic and introspective, with a blend of trap, hip-hop, and rock elements. I LOVE sunflower! Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories! Great song. Give it a listen. Also. Better Now. His songs are an interesting blend of love, relationships, and the rockstar lifestyle.
Drake:
- In My Feelings
- God’s Plan
- Hotline Bling
- Nonstop
Vibe: Smooth and introspective, with a versatile range of rap, R&B, and pop-infused sounds.
Shakira:
- Hips Don’t Lie
- Whenever, Wherever
- She Wolf
- Chantaje
Upbeat and passionate, with a mix of Latin, rock, and pop influences. Shakira has been in the news (and social media) a lot lately because of her recent sentencing to prison, and the fact that she caught her husband cheating. Memes and videos are flying around everywhere and so it’s fairly popular to use her music at the moment.
Adele:
- Someone Like You
- Rolling in the Deep
- Hello
- Set Fire to the Rain
Use if you want some heartfelt and soulful emotions, Adele has powerful vocals and emotionally charged lyrics. She knows how to sing a love song, and a heartbreak song too. Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Childish Gambino:
- This Is America
- Redbone
- 3005
- Feels like summer
Childish Gambino’s music is thoughtful and introspective, with a blend of rap, funk, and R&B sounds that tackle social and personal issues. I love listening to his songs, and they create a chilled and relaxed for the most part. Feels like summer is the perfect track for pool party stories, holidays, and sunshine. Upload direct from your camera roll and add that feel-good track! Some of my reccomendations for best songs for Instagram stories!
Now that you have a list of the best songs for Instagram stories, you can easily add the perfect background music to your content. It’s super easy to search for the song title in the Instagram music library and add it to your story (or Reel) using the music sticker button.
This is a great way to make your stories and Reels more engaging and add a fun and upbeat vibe to your content.
If you’re a content creator or have a business account, adding music to your Instagram stories is a perfect way to showcase your personality and evoke emotion. It’s all about creating that connection with your followers; maybe sharing something you have in common with, a love for a certain artist, certain music genre can be quite powerful. Take Swifties, for example; Taylor Swift’s audience is HUGE, and loads of people bond over their mutual love for her honest and raw music.
Other places to find music for your stories
- Find trending audio on TikTok – the audio here is usually pretty unique, and if it hasn’t made its way over to Instagram yet, this could be a winning option
- Trending audio on Instagram – as above, basically, but the IG version
- The top 10 songs that are currently on the ‘up’ – best to check the spotify app
- New discoveries on Apple Music
- Go to the Creators account on Instagram and look at their highlights. They always have a list of songs they ‘recommend’ and I believe they’ll give your content a little ‘push’; everyone says this is because Instagram has deals with label companies.
Other Audio I add to my stories
I always think about what I’m trying to convey, the feel and look of things to help transport the viewer into what I’m seeing and feeling. Sometimes, I use the actual audio from the video, but other times, you might have annoying background noises, like people talking, or the motor of cars and market sellers yelling. Think about adding:
- Birdsong, to any nature stories
- Crashing waves, to any ocean stories
- Jungle sounds
- Forest sounds
- Sounds from local places – for example, when in India, I play Indian music on my stories.
The rise of ASMR and why you should consider using it
Imagine someone speaking very softly and gently into a microphone, perhaps whispering or making soft, soothing sounds like tapping their nails on a hard surface, rustling paper, or gently brushing their fingers over fabric.
As you listen to these sounds, you may begin to feel a pleasant tingling sensation that starts at the top of your scalp and travels down your neck and spine, sometimes referred to as a “brain massage.”
This is ASMR and people often listen to hours of YouTube content. So sometimes, when I have the noise of bustling markets or engines running, I’ll leave these in and write ASMR on the video so people know to switch on and listen. n
Should I be using Royalty Free music?
While using royalty-free music on Instagram is considered ‘a safe option'[, it’s often a boring option because songs are limited…. and frankly, you want to use trending music. Many people use trending audio as it is more popular and can help their content stand out, and it’s just more fun.
You can usually use copyright music for between 10-30 seconds on social media without any problems, as thousands, if not millions of people do this daily.
But if you are running a business or running an ad, it might be safer to use royalty-free music or obtain the necessary licenses for copyrighted music to avoid any legal issues. So when I run an ad, I usually use royalty free music – and follow their requirements (they usually ask for credit in the caption of your video or picture).
Low story views on Instagram? I have a full guide on how to improve story views.
Instagram music not working? Check out my other blog post on 17 quick fixes for music not working on Instagram.
Here’s 5 extra tips for story content:
- Use vibrant pictures and videos: Instagram is a visual platform, so make sure your stories stand out with something attention-grabbing. Use bright colours, interesting angles, and creative filters to make your stories pop.
- Keep it short and sweet: don’t have excessively long stories for no reason, so keep your content concise and to the point. Use short captions and simple, easy-to-understand language.
- Make your stories interactive: use polls, quizzes, and questions, that can make your stories more engaging and encourage viewer participation and interaction.
- Clearly, ADD MUSIC!
- Share behind-the-scenes content: This is your chance to show honest and RAW content. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses into your life or your creative process. This can help your followers feel more connected to you and your content.
Low story views on Instagram? I have a full guide on how to improve story views.
That’s it! I hope you found this helpful, and enjoy interacting with your audience a little more 🙂
About the Author
 | Hi, I’m Adriana! I’m constantly searching for the best places to travel to so you don’t have to! Think hidden gems but all over the world. That means I’m constantly on the road and exploring new places to visit and I have a love for photography, so it made sense to write travel guides on all the places I visit. I was born in Australia and lived in New Zealand, Poland, Dubai and England growing up and I decided to take my love of travel to the next level! Read more about me here and see my articles here. |
After you’re done with this article, you might be interested in my other social media tips on:
Cute Instagram Stories Stickers
120 Best trending songs & music for Instagram stories
Best and Baddie captions & quotes for Instagram
