In this fast-paced world, it’s always nice to find time to rest. Below, we’ve listed 20 engaging songs that are all about resting, or mention rest and relaxation! From slow and calming ballads to upbeat songs, this list ranges in genre and meaning. However, all songs listed here revolve around resting!
1. “Relax Ay Voo” by Dean Martin
Dean Martin’s classic song “Relax Ay Voo” is the best song to put on when you’re looking for a reason to rest. Fun and charming, this song follows a French person who is explaining why everybody needs to relax from time to time.
Martin sings, “The more you earn the less you learn to relax-ay-voo / We French you’ll find are more inclined to relax-ay-voo.”
2. “Rest” by Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette first released her song “Rest” in tribute to Chester Bennington, the lead singer of the band Linkin Park who had passed away. As a result, this song deals with people who struggle with addiction, life, and so many other struggles.
Morissette sings “God rest our souls” while also explaining that so many people need rest. She also says, “Can we cut this man some slack / Let him lie down.”
3. “Relax” by Superorganism
Superorganism’s song “Relax” is another great number to put on if you’re looking to be inspired to rest! This entire song follows the band as they encourage the listener to just relax and rest. They know that so many people have anxiety and just need a moment of peace. As a result of this understanding, they push for relaxation!
4. “Black Juju” by Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper’s 1971 song “Black Juju” mentions resting, though in relation to death and black magic. Throughout much of this song, Alice Cooper talks about death. The band sings, “Bodies need rest / We all need our rest / Sleep an easy sleep.”
However, later in the song, they also say that we should all wake up — perhaps reverting back to the black magic they talked about earlier in the song.
5. “Relax” by Calvin Harris
“Relax” by Calvin Harris is a song about feeling overwhelmed, which then leads to wanting to rest and relax. Throughout this song, the singer pushes for people to just relax.
They sing, “Relax / I’ve come away with a panic attack / The spinning lights make it hard to react.”
6. “Relax” by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley’s 1963 song “Relax” is one of the best songs about rest and relaxation. In this romantic song, Presley sings to the woman he’s interested in, encouraging her to relax now that they can finally be alone.
He sings the lyrics at the beginning of the song, “Relax, kick your shoes off, baby / Relax, here we are alone / Relax, if the phone rings, let it / Just forget it, we’re not at home.”
7. “Thank the Lord For the Night Time” by Neil Diamond
In Neil Diamond’s song “Thank the Lord For the Night Time”, he sings about how he enjoys the night because he can finally spend his time with his loved one! Throughout the day, he must work. However, once five hits, he can race home to be with his partner and rest!
He explains these feelings of happiness by singing, “I get relaxation, it’s a time to groove / I thank the Lord for the night time / I thank the Lord for you.”
8. “Adam In Chains” by Billy Idol
Billy Idol’s 1993 song “Adam In Chains”, which appears on the album Cyberpunk, opens with an introduction about hypnotism and relaxation. The lyrics say, “Just let go of stress and tension / Let go of worry and doubt and relax / Imagine a staircase standing in front of you / With ten wide, safe stairs / Down, down to a perfect relaxation.”
However, once the song really begins, the whole meaning changes again. Billy Idol sings about a romantic relationship that has come to an end — and he’s very angry about it. Above all, he’s upset that his ex ruined their relationship for seemingly no reason.
9. “Breathe Deeper” by Tame Impala
Tame Impala’s 2020 song “Breathe Deeper” follows the band as they discuss how people can get through any stressful situation — as long as they just breathe. This song also follows the musicians as they encourage people to try to relax and rest when needed. If they can do this, then people can learn to enjoy life a bit more and not like stressful situations tear them down!
10. “Island Song” by Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band’s “Island Song” is all about finding a way to rest and relax — on an island! The band sings about how they get away to a relaxing island to fully rest. They sing, “If you are looking for relaxation / Get away, get away with me / Make your destination my location.”
11. “Making Flippy Floppy” by Talking Heads
There are lots of meanings to be found in Talking Heads’ 1983 song “Making Flippy Floppy”, which appears on their album Speaking in Tongues. However, the main gist of this song is about how many people feel as if they are mechanical beings. Conversations and human interaction are all the same, which fuels these feelings of machination.
As the band discusses these ideas, they also talk about rest and relaxation. They sing the lyrics, “We lie on our backs, feet in the air / Rest and relaxation, rocket to my brain.”
12. “Satisfaction” by Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson’s “Satisfaction” follows Robinson as he talks about how we all become satisfied with our lives in different ways. This song also touches on the idea of wanting to ensure our loved ones get enough rest and relaxation in their life.
Robinson discusses how he wants to ensure his partner is happy and content with him. He sings of his worries about her feeling unsatisfied by singing, “And keep her from seeking some other means / Of excitement and relaxation?”
13. “Rest Your Love on Me” by Andy Gibb
Andy Gibb’s “Rest Your Love on Me”, featuring Olivia Newton-John, is one of the best pop songs about rest! This 1980 song follows the duo as they sing about wanting to help those they love — or even strangers that they’ve become interested in.
The song opens with Gibb singing about seeing a woman upset and wanting to help her. He sings, “Lay your troubles on my shoulders / Put your worries in my pocket / Rest your love on me awhile.”
14. “Relax” by The Who
The Who released their song “Relax” on their 1967 album The Who Sells Out. This song opens with the lyrics, “Relax and settle down / Let your mind go ’round / Lay down on the ground / And listen to the sound / Of the band.”
Much of the rest of the song is the same! Basically, the band explains how the world will keep turning around, so she shouldn’t always stress out about everything. Instead, relax and rest.
15. “Easy” by Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow’s 2013 song “Easy” follows Crow as she sings about how easy and enjoyable it is to relax and spend time with a loved one. Though many people think they have to go on vacation to relax, she says this isn’t so! Instead, all you need to relax and rest is those you love beside you.
She sings, “But you make it easy, easy, easy to get away / Sit in the sun and drink beer all day / Because it’s easy, easy, easier anyway.”
16. “Wishful Thinkin’” by Sly & The Family Stone
Sly & The Family Stone released the song “Wishful Thinkin’” on the 1974 album Small Talk. This song is all about relaxing instead of focusing on dreams or things you desperately want to happen. Instead, just try to rest, as this will all happen soon!
The band sings, “Wishful thinking / You’re playing with the moon / Relax, you’ll get there soon / Don’t let it be the end of you or me.”
17. “Relax” by The Hollies
“Relax” by The Hollies is another great song that encourages people to rest and relax. We can’t control our lives or the world. The sun will continue to rise and set. So, why worry about so many things we can’t control?
The band pushes this point across in the song when they sing the lines, “Relax take your shoes off / Relax don’t you worry / As the world goes heltering-skeltering by / The sun will still wander across the sky.”
18. “Honey, I’m Home” by Shania Twain
Shania Twain’s 1997 song “Honey, I’m Home”, which appears on her hit album Come On Over, Twain sings all about being tired after a long day at work. She’s exhausted and just wants to rest and relax.
So, at the beginning of the song, she sings about all the things that went wrong in her hectic day. However, when she gets to the chorus, she sings about how happy she is now that she’s heading home — as she can finally rest.
She sings, “Honey, I’m back, my neck’s killing me / I need to relax and watch TV.”
19. “Take It Easy” by Eagles
The Eagles’ hit 1972 song “Take It Easy” will definitely help you rest! The band sings about their many issues in this song, most of which include their past romances and mistakes with women. However, they also sing that they’re going to try to rest and relax — and keep these problems from controlling their life.
They sing the memorable chorus, “Take It easy, take it easy / Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy / Lighten up while you still can / Don’t even try to understand / Just find a place to make your stand and take it easy.”
20. “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant
Throughout this entire list, we’ve talked about songs that deal with encouraging rest and relaxation. Now, let’s discuss a song that details how some people will never rest.
“Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant tells the story of various people who do anything they can to make money — even if these things are immoral. As a result, these types of people never know a moment’s rest.
The song ends with the lines, “Oh no there ain’t no rest for the wicked / Until we close our eyes for good.”