14 Celebrities Reveal Their All-Time Favorite Songs
Music is one of those magical forces that connects everyone, no matter who you are or how famous you might be. Even the biggest stars in Hollywood have that one song they keep returning to, the track that just hits differently every single time.
Turns out, celebrities are just like us when a great song comes on! Knowing what songs move the people we admire most gives us a whole new window into who they really are.
Music can inspire, heal, energize, or simply transport someone to a different time and place. Some stars blast tunes while cooking, others replay them on long drives or during workouts.
A powerful song can spark creativity, calm nerves before a performance, or just bring an unexpected smile. Superheroes save cities, but a great song?
A great song saves your whole mood. Here are fourteen jaw-dropping celebrity song picks that prove music is truly the universal language everyone speaks fluently.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
Soul music has a way of wrapping around your heart like a warm blanket, and few songs do it better than Otis Redding’s 1968 masterpiece. Leonardo DiCaprio has openly expressed deep admiration for this classic, and honestly, the choice says a lot about a man who clearly values emotional depth over flashy trends.
Redding recorded the song just days before his tragic passing, making every note feel incredibly precious. If you close your eyes and really listen, you can almost feel the sea breeze.
No wonder an Oscar-winning actor keeps returning to it for soul-level comfort.
2. Jennifer Lawrence and “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen
Few songs hit like a thunderbolt the way Queen’s 1980 bass-heavy banger does. Jennifer Lawrence has called “Another One Bites the Dust” her favorite song from childhood, and if you know J-Law’s legendary goofy personality, the pick makes perfect sense.
John Deacon wrote that unforgettable bass riff, and it became one of rock history’s most recognizable openings ever recorded. Fun fact: Michael Jackson actually suggested Queen release it as a single!
Lawrence’s love for this track shows she’s always had incredible taste, even back when she was just a kid rocking out in her living room.
3. Blake Lively and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams somehow bottled pure sunshine into a four-minute pop song, and Blake Lively clearly noticed. She has named “Happy” as her ultimate go-to dance track, and honestly, anyone who has heard it understands why it is basically impossible to stand still.
Released in 2013 for the animated film “Despicable Me 2,” the song became a global phenomenon, spending weeks atop charts worldwide. Lively also adores Rihanna’s entire catalog, which means her musical taste covers both feel-good anthems and fierce pop royalty.
If a playlist could radiate confidence and joy simultaneously, Blake Lively’s would absolutely lead the charge.
4. Drew Barrymore and “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John
Quirky, whistly, and completely unforgettable, “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John is the kind of alternative track that sneaks into your brain and sets up permanent residence. Drew Barrymore chose it as a personal favorite, which feels spot-on for someone whose entire vibe radiates warmth and creative individuality.
Released in 2006, the Swedish indie pop song became an unexpected international hit, driven largely by its iconic whistling hook. Barrymore’s love for this track suggests she gravitates toward music that feels genuine rather than manufactured.
Sometimes the most understated songs carry the biggest emotional punches, and this one certainly delivers.
5. Chloe Grace Moretz and “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding has a voice that sounds like it was crafted specifically to make people feel deeply emotional, and Chloe Grace Moretz is clearly a devoted fan. She has named “Love Me Like You Do” as her all-time favorite, a sweeping pop ballad released in 2015 for a major Hollywood film.
Goulding’s soaring vocals on the track turn every listen into a cinematic experience all by itself. Moretz, a young actress who has tackled complex roles throughout her career, obviously connects to music carrying real emotional weight.
How a song makes you feel matters far more than how many awards it wins.
6. Amber Valletta and “Heart of Glass” by Blondie
Blondie’s 1979 new wave classic “Heart of Glass” sits at a rare crossroads between disco glam and punk cool, a combination almost nobody else pulled off successfully. Amber Valletta has stated boldly that this track will always drag her onto any dance floor, no questions asked.
Debbie Harry’s icy, mesmerizing vocals paired with a pulsing electronic beat created something genuinely revolutionary for its era. Valletta, a supermodel and actress who has always embodied effortless cool, clearly has an ear for songs that carry historical significance alongside undeniable groove.
Few tracks from any decade still feel as fresh and electric as this one does.
7. Jessica Chastain and “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles
Not every beloved song needs a driving beat or a catchy chorus. “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles is a hauntingly beautiful portrait of loneliness, built entirely on strings and raw emotion, and Jessica Chastain has named it among her all-time favorites.
Paul McCartney wrote the song in 1966, and it stands as one of the most emotionally complex tracks in pop music history. No guitars appear anywhere on the recording, just a string octet and devastating lyrics.
Chastain, an actress celebrated for portraying deeply layered characters, naturally gravitates toward art asking serious questions about human connection and isolation. Respect.
8. Zooey Deschanel and “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
“Unchained Melody” is one of those songs that has been covered hundreds of times, yet somehow still gives listeners goosebumps every single listen. Zooey Deschanel, actress and accomplished singer, has revealed it is her personal favorite classic song to record herself.
Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret in 1955, the song reached legendary status through The Righteous Brothers’ iconic 1965 version. Deschanel’s musical instincts are sharp, having co-founded the folk duo She and Him alongside M.
Ward. Choosing a timeless, emotionally rich song like this perfectly reflects an artist who values craft and sincerity above chasing whatever sounds trendy at the moment.
9. Rihanna and “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley
Bob Marley wrote “Redemption Song” in 1980 as his final studio album was being recorded, and he poured every ounce of wisdom he carried into its simple acoustic chords. Rihanna, herself a proud Barbadian artist deeply rooted in Caribbean culture, has expressed genuine love for this track.
Marley drew inspiration partly from a Marcus Garvey speech, transforming political thought into poetry everyone could understand and feel. For Rihanna, a global superstar who has always honored her roots, choosing a song about freedom and resilience makes complete sense.
Sometimes the quietest songs carry the loudest messages, and Marley proved exactly that.
10. Gordon Ramsay and “Yellow” by Coldplay
Gordon Ramsay is globally famous for his fiery kitchen personality and razor-sharp culinary standards, so it might surprise people to learn his favorite song is the quietly tender “Yellow” by Coldplay. The 2000 debut single launched Coldplay into worldwide stardom almost overnight.
Chris Martin reportedly wrote the song while staring at a starlit sky, capturing a feeling of devotion so pure it barely needed explanation. Ramsay’s choice reveals a softer interior beneath all that chef bravado.
If you ever needed proof a person contains multitudes, a man who yells about improperly cooked beef choosing a gentle love song is exhibit A.
11. Angelina Jolie and “Know Your Rights” by The Clash
Punk rock and humanitarian activism might sound like an unusual combination, but Angelina Jolie makes it work perfectly. “Know Your Rights” by The Clash is one of her absolute favorites, a sharp political anthem released in 1982 that challenged authority and demanded justice for ordinary people.
The Clash were never interested in playing it safe, and neither has Jolie, a United Nations Special Envoy who has spent decades advocating for refugees worldwide. Choosing a song literally titled “Know Your Rights” feels less like a music preference and more like a personal mission statement.
Punk, activism, and cinema rarely collide so powerfully in one person.
12. Natalie Portman and “Ben” by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson recorded “Ben” in 1972 at just thirteen years old, delivering a vocal performance so tender and earnest it still stops people cold decades later. Natalie Portman has named it among her favorite songs, and the choice reveals an artist drawn to vulnerability and emotional sincerity.
Interestingly, the song was written for a 1972 horror film about a rat, yet Jackson transformed it into something genuinely touching and sweet. Portman, a Harvard-educated actress who has always chosen roles requiring emotional complexity, clearly appreciates music operating on multiple levels simultaneously.
Few child performers in history matched the raw emotional intelligence Jackson displayed on recordings like this one.
13. Serena Williams and “MMMBop” by Hanson
Nobody on Earth combines athletic dominance and pure joyfulness quite like Serena Williams, so her favorite song being the irresistibly bubbly “MMMBop” by Hanson feels absolutely right. Released in 1997, the song became a massive global hit performed by three brothers whose youngest was just eleven years old at recording.
Despite being dismissed by some critics as lightweight pop, “MMMBop” actually carries a surprisingly thoughtful message about holding onto meaningful relationships as time passes. Serena’s love for it proves great music needs zero apologies.
If a song makes you smile uncontrollably and want to jump around, it has already done its job perfectly.
14. Simon Cowell and “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin
Simon Cowell has spent decades judging musical talent on television, so when he names a personal favorite, people pay attention. “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin, recorded in 1959, is a swinging, charismatic performance that showcases exactly the kind of effortless star power Cowell has always chased on his talent shows.
Darin recorded the song in a single take, reportedly finishing it so quickly the musicians barely had time to settle in. The result was pure magic.
Cowell’s admiration for a track built on supreme confidence and showmanship makes complete sense when you consider the entertainer he has always demanded contestants become.
