The ultimate St. Patrick's Day playlist

When fans think of top bands hailing from Ireland, U2 always has a place on the list. The guitar chords on the band’s 2000 hit “Beautiful Day” is an essential track for all festivities. 

Bruno Mars is not native to Ireland; however he makes music for people worldwide. For listeners who believe in luck and good fortune, Mars’ “24K Magic” is a party anthem for the green celebrations. 

A collaboration between Daft Punk, Pharrell and Nile Rodgers is sure to have a feel-good touch to it. “Get Lucky” takes listeners back in time with its ‘70s retro sound that will keep people on the dance floor.

For fans looking for a traditional Irish sound, The Dubliners come to mind, an Irish folk band that blends bagpipes and strings into its music. The band's hit song “The Irish Rover” could easily be heard at a pub on this green day.

In addition to St. Patrick’s Day festivals and celebrations, flowing libations are always a nice touch. Jamie Foxx and T-Pain know all about having a few drinks on their 2008 “Blame It," and it's a great addition to any party.

One of the most common instruments used in Ireland are bagpipes. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis use them heavily in their St. Patrick’s Day track perfectly titled, “Irish Celebration.”

A St. Patrick’s Day playlist is not complete without a song from Ireland’s own Sinead O’Connor. Her 1990 hit “The Emperor’s New Clothes” glistens with a pop-rock vibe that is a great addition to be heard at any party. 

Even for listeners who are not big fans of Irish bands, there’s a guarantee they’ve heard some of their big hits in pop culture. Dublin-bred band Thin Lizzy dropped its hit “The Boys Are Back In Town” back in 1976, and the song remains timeless.

“Whiskey in the Jar” typically sounds like traditional Irish folk music, with bands like The Pogues and The Dubliners covering it. However, Metallica's version in 2004 featured a full-on punk-rock sound.

Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t always a day of partying. Some people celebrate the holiday in a traditional sense with religious services. Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” might be a good track for individuals who believe St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland.

For people who want to show off their best dance moves on St. Patrick's Day, Lady Gaga's discography is essential. Her 2008 hit “Just Dance” is a fitting club anthem to keep people partying until the break of dawn. 

Rejjie Snow is a rising singer and rapper from Ireland. His track “Spaceships” from his latest album, "Dear Annie," is a mix of electro-pop and ‘70s funk, making for a smooth dance groove. 

There’s no doubt that any track produced by Dr. Dre will be a bass-heavy song. Eminem teamed up with Dre and 50 Cent on his 2009 hit “Crack a Bottle,” an infectious track that deserves any head nod.

Music fans don’t typically hear about R&B music coming from Ireland, but Laura Izibor has been making her mark on the industry for several years now. Her 2009 hit “Shine” has remnants of an old school and gospel sound, as the feel-good track is sure to be a winner for older and younger crowds. 

Dublin-based rapper Jafaris recently released his debut album, "Stride," and is sure to make waves in the industry. After dropping his first EP in 2017 and a number of singles the following year, one of his recent standout tracks is “Found My Feet.” The breezy and beat-heavy production is a smooth jam to put on repeat.

For West Coast hip-hop fans, House of Pain’s “Jump Around” track will always be a standout. However, the group’s music video holds a special place, as filming took place during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York. Fans can be seen in the video showcasing shamrocks, an Irish staple. 

If people aren’t familiar with the Boston-based band Dropkick Murphys, it’s more than likely fans have heard their big hit “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” across film, TV and sports. It’s a standout track that mixes Irish "Riverdance" sounds with heavy metal rock.

Singer and rapper Lizzo is gearing up to release her third album in April, and the project’s lead single, “Juice,” was her breakout track. For people who want to get loose and have a good time, play this track for your party.

L.A.-bred band Flogging Molly is no stranger to digging into its Irish roots. The band’s 2002 hit “Drunken Lullabies” blends rock, folk and Celtic punk as it stresses the outcomes of drinking.

Feeling nostalgic for ‘90s pop? Irish girl group B*Witched came onto the pop scene radar with their 1998 hit “C'est la Vie.” It’s the perfect bubblegum track for fans who miss the dance sound from one of the greatest music decades, not to mention the group's "Riverdance" music breakdown in it.