29 Best Songs To Clean To

Let’s face it, unless cleaning is one of your favorite things to do, this activity never ceases to feel like a chore. That is unless you have a fantastic playlist of music to have playing in the background.

All of the following tracks are sure to get you off of the couch and deep cleaning even the smallest details you would normally overlook. With these songs playing in the background, there’s a chance that you’ll come to love cleaning.

Tweezer by Phish

Phish has built a career on crafting otherworldly improvised jams that never fail to get the feet dancing. Unfortunately, because there are over 40 years worth of live recordings, it can be difficult for newcomers to sample and know what Phish has to offer. 

Tweezer is an especially potent jam vehicle for the band, with the supplied Camden ’99 version being one of the most notable versions in the song’s history. During the track’s 30-minute runtime, you won’t be able to help but have a good time cleaning to Tweezer’s infectious groove. 

Strange Overtones by David Byrne & Brian Eno

If you’ve ever listened to Brian Eno, Strange Overtones might be surprising, particularly because it’s fit for the dance club. The song features a delicate melody sung by Byrne throughout the verses, bookended by a memorable chorus and a 3-note descending motif. 

Strange Overtones conveys the picture of an older person who is adapting to the workings of the modern world. 

Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt

Gypsy jazz has the power to not only make your feet move but also make you feel distinguishably classy at the same time. If you’ve never dabbled in gypsy jazz, Django Reinhardt’s legendary track, Minor Swing, is a great place to start. 

You’ll be confronted with an unforgettable melody, as well as some of the finest jazz guitar playing to have ever been recorded. 

Stax Jam by Galactic

If you’re into funk jams that veer into the spacey side of things, Galactic’s Stax Jam is a phenomenal choice for your cleaning playlist. Despite being a modern song, its sound (and name) pays homage to the glory days of Stax Records.

Not to mention, Stax Jam has a ridiculously catchy bass guitar line that makes it almost impossible not to move at least a little. 

Birk’s Works by Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy Gillespie penned some of the finest bebop tunes in jazz history, with Birk’s Works being an undeniably potent song. Birk’s Works has a melody that will get stuck in your head, likely causing you to whistle while you clean. 

Afterward, take a listen to Dave Brubeck’s Take Five and decide for yourself whether that song’s signature melody took inspiration from this Dizzy piece. 

Rebel, Rebel by David Bowie

During his career, David Bowie seemingly crossed almost every boundary of music genre there is. During the early 1970s, the world heard him innovating riff-based rock music, spearheaded by songs like Rebel, Rebel.

If you’re somebody who loves unforgettable guitar riffs that can put you in a good mood, Rebel, Rebel is sure to tick the boxes. 

I Saw Her Standing There by Jerry Garcia

Singing along to your favorite songs can make cleaning more fun than it probably needs to be. If you’re a fan of The Beatles but also enjoy funk, you need to listen to Jerry Garcia’s version of I Saw Her Standing There, a song with lyrics most Beatles fans know by heart. 

While it might be heresy, it must be stated that this version gives the original a run for its money.

Green Onions by Booker T. & the M.G.’s

For those who enjoy classic grooves to get into the proper headspace for cleaning, there are few better songs than Green Onions. This song has a signature organ section that is sure to get stuck in your head, and there’s a fair chance you’ll be vocalizing along with each instrumental solo. 

Sonic Armada by Air

While you could just as easily turn on Air’s soundtrack for The Virgin Suicides, some people like a little variety. It’s a little hard to condense Air’s sound into one song, but Sonic Armada seems to check all the boxes, featuring a synth line that will worm itself into your brain without remorse. 

Tired of Being Alone by Al Green

When romantic relationships end (especially with couples that live together), we can drag our heels at cleaning up the house in the aftermath of its closure. Maybe we just like to be surrounded by the artifacts of what used to be, but eventually, there comes a time when we need to dust things off and start again.

Al Green’s sensual R&B track, Tired of Being Alone is a fantastic song to complement this feeling. As the song suggests, it can be healthy to be alone, but sometimes we grow tired of limiting ourselves, too.