7 Surprising Songs That Will Save Your Next Team Building

Team Building Music Can Make or Break Your Event

You've spent weeks planning the perfect team building event. You've booked the venue, organized the activities, and confirmed the catering. But there's one thing you might be overlooking that could sink the entire experience: the music.

Bad team building event music creates awkward silences, kills energy, and makes people check their watches. Good music? It turns strangers into collaborators, boosts participation by up to 40%, and leaves everyone talking about how "fun that was" for weeks.

The secret isn't just playing "We Are Family" on repeat. It's about choosing surprising songs that trigger nostalgia, spark conversation, and get even the most reluctant employee tapping their foot. In this guide, you'll discover seven unexpected tracks that will save your next team building—plus exact strategies to build a playlist that works every time.

Why Team Building Event Music Matters More Than You Think

Most people treat music at corporate events as background noise. That's a costly mistake. Music directly affects mood, energy, and social bonding—three things team building depends on.

A 2019 study from the University of Oxford found that people who move to music together feel closer and trust each other more. This is called synchrony, and it's the secret sauce behind every great team building playlist. When your team hears a beat they can clap along to or a chorus they can sing, they're literally wiring their brains to cooperate better.

Think about the last time you heard a song everyone knew at a party. Strangers became friends. People laughed, danced, and remembered the moment. That's exactly what you want for your team building event music—except with a purpose.

💡 Pro Tip: Use PartyMusicPlaylist.com to let team members submit song requests before the event. This builds excitement and ensures you're playing music people actually love. It's free and takes two minutes to set up.

The 7 Surprising Songs That Save Team Building

Forget the tired "Happy" by Pharrell Williams or "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. Those are fine, but they're overplayed. The songs below work because they're unexpected, nostalgic, and built for group participation.

Each track has a specific role in your team building event music playlist. Use them strategically at different moments.

1. "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)

Why this works: The opening drum fill is instantly recognizable. The "ba-dee-ya" chorus is impossible not to sing along to. And the disco groove makes people move without thinking. This is your icebreaker song.

Play "September" during the first 15 minutes of your event. Watch how quickly people start smiling, nodding, and mouthing the words. It's a universal crowd-pleaser across generations.

• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire — Perfect for arrival music, breaks up awkward silences instantly
• "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston — High energy, everyone knows the chorus
• "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon — Modern classic that commands action

2. "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra (1977)

This song is pure optimism in audio form. The layered harmonies, the upbeat tempo, and the iconic "sun is shinin' in the sky" opening make it perfect for post-lunch energy slumps.

Schedule "Mr. Blue Sky" right after a meal or during a mid-afternoon activity transition. It's scientifically proven to lift mood (okay, maybe not scientifically, but it feels like it should be).

3. "Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)

Yes, this one is a little weird. That's exactly why it works. Surprise triggers dopamine. When someone unexpected like "Come On Eileen" comes on, people laugh, look at each other, and bond over the shared absurdity.

Use this during a low-energy moment or as a "wildcard" song between structured activities. The "too-ra-loo-ra" section is practically designed for group singalongs.

4. "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves (1983)

This song is pure energy. The driving beat, the enthusiastic vocals, and the simple lyrics make it ideal for high-energy activities like relay races, scavenger hunts, or dance-offs.

One event planner told us she plays "Walking on Sunshine" exactly 45 minutes into every team building session. "It's like a reset button for the room," she said. "Everyone gets a second wind."

5. "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (2014)

Modern, groovy, and impossible to sit still through. "Uptown Funk" has a near-perfect beat for group movement. The bassline alone makes people want to stand up and dance.

Use this for high-energy challenges, team competitions, or closing ceremonies. It's also great for the "victory lap" after a successful group activity.

6. "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas (2009)

This song explicitly tells people "tonight's gonna be a good night." It's psychological priming at its finest. When you play this, you're telling the room that the fun is just beginning.

Use "I Gotta Feeling" during the transition from icebreakers to main activities. It signals that the event is shifting from "getting comfortable" to "let's do this."

7. "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers (1977)

This is your secret weapon for winding down. The smooth groove, positive lyrics, and Bill Withers' incredible vocal range create a calm, connected atmosphere perfect for reflection exercises or closing ceremonies.

Play "Lovely Day" during the final 15 minutes of your event. It leaves everyone feeling good and ready to head back to work with a smile.

How to Build Your Team Building Event Music Playlist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now you know the songs. But how do you organize them into a cohesive playlist that flows naturally? Follow this process.

1. Map your event timeline. Write down every phase: arrival, icebreakers, main activities, lunch, afternoon activities, closing. Each phase needs different music energy.
2. Choose 3-5 songs per phase. For arrival, pick calm, familiar songs. For high-energy activities, pick upbeat, rhythmic tracks. For closing, pick positive, reflective songs.
3. Use PartyMusicPlaylist.com to create your playlist. It's free, lets you add songs from any decade, and even allows team members to submit requests. Create Your Playlist Now
4. Test your playlist before the event. Play it in your car or during a workout. Does the energy flow naturally? Are there jarring transitions? Adjust as needed.
5. Prepare backup songs. Have 5-10 extra tracks ready in case something isn't working. Flexibility is key for live events.
6. Print a song list for your DJ or sound person. Include exact timing cues for each activity. This ensures everything runs smoothly.

💡 Pro Tip: Use PartyMusicPlaylist.com's guest request feature. Send team members a link one week before the event. They'll submit songs they love, and you'll have a built-in playlist that everyone already approves of. It also builds anticipation for the event itself.

Music by Event Moment: What to Play When

Not all team building event music serves the same purpose. Here's exactly what to play during each phase of your event.

Arrival & Welcome (First 15 Minutes)

People are arriving, settling in, and feeling awkward. Don't play anything too intense. You want familiar, warm songs that make people feel comfortable.

• "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles — Gentle, positive, universally recognized
• "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley — "Every little thing gonna be alright" sets the tone
• "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong — Timeless and soothing
• "Better Together" by Jack Johnson — Laid-back acoustic vibe
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell — Upbeat but not overwhelming

Icebreakers & Warm-Up Activities

Now you need energy. Pick songs with strong beats and singalong choruses. These tracks help people loosen up and start interacting.

• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire — Instant mood booster
• "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift — Simple lyrics, easy to move to
• "Happy" by Pharrell Williams — Overplayed but effective for this phase
• "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake — Designed for feel-good moments
• "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas — Sets the expectation for fun

High-Energy Team Challenges

You need driving beats and motivational lyrics for competitive activities. These songs push energy levels higher.

• "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars — Perfect rhythm for movement
• "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor — The ultimate motivation song
• "We Will Rock You" by Queen — Built for stomping and clapping
• "Thunder" by Imagine Dragons — Modern energy with a powerful chorus
• "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyoncé — Empowering and high-energy

Post-Lunch Slump & Mid-Afternoon

Energy drops after eating. You need songs that revive without overwhelming.

• "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra — Optimistic and bright
• "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves — Pure energy injection
• "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen — High-energy but fun
• "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon — Commands movement
• "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons — Upbeat and positive

Closing & Reflection

End on a positive, connected note. Choose songs that leave people feeling good about themselves and their team.

• "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers — Warm and soulful
• "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers — Perfect for teamwork themes
• "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars — Explicitly about friendship
• "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge — Classic team building anthem
• "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors — Leaves everyone smiling

5 Common Team Building Music Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Even with the best intentions, people make these mistakes. Avoid them at all costs.

⚠️ Heads Up: Playing music that's too loud during icebreakers makes conversation impossible. Keep volume at background level until activities start.

⚠️ Heads Up: Don't play songs with explicit lyrics. Even if you think "nobody will notice," someone will. Stick to clean versions or family-friendly tracks.

• Mistake: Playing the same genre the whole time. — Fix: Mix decades, genres, and tempos. Keep people guessing.
• Mistake: Ignoring song requests from the team. — Fix: Use PartyMusicPlaylist.com's request feature to collect songs before the event.
• Mistake: Forgetting to test the playlist. — Fix: Play through your entire playlist at least once before the event.
• Mistake: Playing music that's too niche. — Fix: Stick to songs at least 70% of people will recognize.
• Mistake: Not having a backup plan. — Fix: Always have 5-10 extra songs ready in case the vibe needs adjusting.

Expert Tips from Event Planners Who Nail Team Building Music

We spoke with three professional event planners about their team building event music strategies. Here's what they shared.

"I always start with a survey." — Maria, corporate event planner. "Two weeks before the event, I send out a quick form asking people for three songs they love. I use PartyMusicPlaylist.com to collect these. By the time the event starts, I already know what works for that specific group."

"Volume is everything." — James, team building facilitator. "Most people play music too loud during activities. You need it loud enough to feel, but quiet enough that people can still hear instructions. I test this before anyone arrives."

"Use silence strategically." — Aisha, leadership coach. "Don't fill every moment with music. A few seconds of silence after a big activity lets people process. Then hit them with a high-energy song to bring the energy back up."

How PartyMusicPlaylist.com Makes Team Building Music Easy

You don't need to be a DJ to build a great playlist. PartyMusicPlaylist.com is a free tool designed specifically for event music planning. Here's how it helps.

• Guest song requests: Team members submit songs before the event. You see what's popular and build your playlist around it.
• Pre-built templates: Choose from corporate, party, wedding, and more. Customize in minutes.
• DJ export: Export your playlist to Spotify, Apple Music, or a simple PDF. Share with your sound person instantly.
• Find local DJs: If you need professional help, our directory connects you with vetted DJs in your area.
• Free forever: No credit card. No hidden fees. Just a better way to plan music.

Create Your Team Building Playlist Now — it takes less than 5 minutes and will save you hours of guesswork.