Happy Songs
Posted: March 14th, 2010 | Filed under: Pop Culture | 321 Comments »
OK, so I was driving from Fort Myers to Tampa today, and I was iPod-listening today and, I heard these two songs back-to-back:
“Little Red Corvette,” Prince.
“Eye of the Tiger,” Paul Anka.
OK, so you ask: So what? Well … there’s no real point except that when I heard those songs I was really, really happy. I can’t explain it. Well, actually, I probably can. LIttle Red Corvette was the song that made me fall in love with Prince’s music, and it still makes me ecstatically happy every time I hear it. And Paul Anka’s version of Eye of the Tiger makes me laugh at first but then I find that I really l enjoy listening to it (I feel the same way about Matt the Electrician’s version of “Jessie’s Girl.”)
Anyway, it made me think: I need to make an iPod list of the 15 happiest songs ever recorded. I don’t mean the songs have to be happy — I mean they have to make the listener happy. For instance, I think Midnight Oil’s “Blue Sky Mine” is not a happy song — it was inspired by people people in the asbestos mines. But it SOUNDS happy, and it makes me happy, which might make it a failure on some level but not the level I’m hearing.
So have at it: We’re taking nominations here in the comments. Happiest songs ever.
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Going to have to go with “Happy” by the Stones. Obvious choice, I know.
Walkin on Sunshine – Katrina and The Waves
Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side – The Magnetic Fields
pretty darn happy.
It seems obvious, but Walking on Sunshine has got to be one of the happiest songs ever. Also, Beautiful Day by U2 is my go to song for cheering / pumping me up.
Wake Up, by The Arcade Fire. Incredible. One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket is a great one, too.
Shiny Happy People REM Hand Claps in a song always help.
The Magnificient Seven Theme. There are others, but that’s the first that came to mind for me.
Dear Prudence by The Beatles. My go to song for a pick-me-up. “The sun is up, the sky is blue. It’s beautiful and so are you” is such a simple, joyful lyrics that always makes me happy.
Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros. I can’t understand a word of it, but lord, if ever a song could be described as euphoric it’s that one.
Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMabBGydC0
Probably influenced by time of year, but these three are top of mind for me at the moment:
Here Comes The Sun — Beatles
Centerfield — John Fogerty
Holiday in Spain — Counting Crows
“English Bay” by Blue Rodeo—a song to which I fell in love with my wife
“How Long” by Blue Rodeo
“I Only Have Eyes For You”, many versions—our wedding song
“Happy Together” by The Turtles
“Shiny Happy People” by REM (though “Radio Song” makes me equally happy by virtue of it being awesome—when I hear it on the radio, I feel like I’ve won something—and my wife has cast a vote for “Furry Happy Monsters”)
“Everybody Hurts” by REM
“Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac (and to think it came from the same album as “The Chain”—one of the reasons why Rumours is a classic)
“In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel (and not because of John Cusack)
“Bang On The Drum All Day” by Todd Rundgren (esp. if you’re a Canucks fan)
“Where The Streets Have No Name” by U2 (the Canucks thing works here too)
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
“Bleeker Street” by Simon and Garfunkel (though “59th Street Bridge Song” would probably have broader appeal)
“Take A Chance” by Erasure (though the Abba version—heck, almost any Abba tune—would also work)
“I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” by Scissor Sisters
“Grace Kelly” or “We Are Golden” by Mika
“Killer Queen”, “Fat-Bottomed Girls”, or “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen
Okay—I have to quite before I spend all night at this. Or add Prism’s “Spaceship Superstar” to the list.
Best of luck. I can’t wait to see what you end up with.
Song 2 – Blur. Also, as a former band member at a high school nicknamed the Tigers, I hate Eye of the Tiger and if I never hear that song again it will be too soon.
Classic: Our House by Madness always makes me smile.Newer: Let’s Dance to Joy Division by The Wombats. And love it or hate it, Walking on Sunshine has to be on the list.
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” — various
“Saturday In The Park” — Chicago
“She Don’t Use Jelly” — The Flaming Lips
Passion Pit is the first band that came to mind, and the best song would have to be Little Secrets.
Second the Rusted Root. You can’t possibly have a list of the happiest songs without it.
“Underdogs of Nipomo,” Archers of Loaf. The harmonies at the 2:40 makes me happy.
Its the Sun – The Polyphonic Spree.
“Wake me up before you Go-Go”
George Michael
Bobby McFarin, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
Forgot an entire generation of soul:
“Respect” by Aretha
“Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” by Stevie
“(Theme from) Shaft” by Isaac Hayes
“Tears of a Clown” by Smokey and the Miracles
“This Old Heart of Mine” by The Isley Brothers
“Love’s Theme” by the Love Unlimited Orchestra (i.e. Barry White et al.)
And, of course, “Dancing In The Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas (though the Bowie/Jagger and Van Halen versions both have their merits)
Now I’ll quit.
“Walking on Sunshine” is an excellent nomination, but I have to put in a good word for “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher” by Jackie Wilson. Pure joy.
“Hold On, I’m Comin’ ” by Sam & Dave
“Glad All Over” by the Dave Clark Five
“Roadrunner” by the Modern Lovers
“Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys
“Twist and Shout” by whomever, though I’m partial to The Beatles’ version
“Summer in the City” or “Do You Believe in Magic” by the Lovin’ Spoonful
“Oh Boy” by Buddy Holly
“Peaches en Regalia” by Frank Zappa (Fillmore East version, especially)
“Scarlet Begonias” by the Grateful Dead
Ditto for ““Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves.
“Born to Run,” by The Boss.
“Wounded,” by Nik Kershaw. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkC2GBBRq6M
“Mr. Brightside” — The Killers
“Semi-Charmed Life” — Third Eye Blind
“Today” — Smashing Pumpkins
“The Rising” — Springsteen
“Buddy Holly” — Weezer
“The Man in Me” Bob Dylan
“Two Weeks” Grizzly Bear
“Lisztomania” Phoenix
“Spirit in the Sky” Norman Greenbaum
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by the Beach Boys never, ever fails to make me happy
Evil Woman from The Electric Light Orchestra, or You Make Loving Fun from Fleetwood Mac.
Tears of a Clown by the English Beat, Chelsea Dagger or For the Girl by the Fratellis, and of course, Super Freak by Rick James
These have both been mentioned already but may as well pad the vote tally since my immediate reaction was “Shiny Happy People” (REM) followed by “Buddy Holly” (Weezer)
“Good Life” by Andy Davis. Just try and sit still!
For Super Freak: Remember the ‘Lebrons’ ad?
“Drop that, old school” Yeaahhhh
“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by The Beatles
“Starry Eyed Surprise” by Paul Oakenfold
“I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
The Decemberists, “Sons & Daughters.”
There are songs that improve my already-happy mood, there are songs that kind of define happy to me. But “Sons & Daughters” is the only song that will put a smile on my face no matter how bad I feel.
“Dashboard” and “Float On” by Modest Mouse are a great one-two punch.
How about “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (Bobby McFerrin)?
Re: twitter clarification. Just a song that makes me happy? Dillinger Escape Plan, “43% Burnt.” Brilliance in a strange time signature.
Passion Pit – Moth’s Wings is pretty damn uplifting.
Jump by Van Halen
Over The Hills And Far Away by Led Zeppelin
I Got You (At The End Of The Century) by Wilco
My first thought–Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros. If you don’t know it, it was used in the ads for the British version of Planet Earth. Then, again used in the trailer for that Disneynature Earth thing.
James – “Laid”
The Cure – “Just Like Heaven”
Sam and Dave – “Soul Man”
Counting Crows – “A Murder of One” (dark horse, you would not think it, but somehow it makes me really happy to listen to this song)
Tears for Fears – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (think “Real Genius” ending, too!)
Robert Randolph and the Family Band – “I Need More Love”
Rusted Root – “Send Me On My Way”
Van Halen – “Dreams”
They Might Be Giants – “Birdhouse in Your Soul”
John Lennon – “Beautiful Boy”
John Mayer – “The Heart of Life”
I could do this for hours.
Number 1 with a bullet- “Centerfield” by Fogerty. When the grayness and cold of Jan and Feb start getting to me, I put this song on, hear those opening claps, and instantly feel happy and excited.
Others in line : “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” “Shipoopi” from “The Music Man”, and “Sweet Home Chicago”
My personal list, excluding a couple already mentioned:
“Brown-Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
“God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys
“Crash” by Dave Matthews Band
“Ooh Child” by the Five Stairsteps
“Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
(either of those individually in their original versions would work as well)
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown
“Daydream Believer” by the Monkees
“Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney
“Bouncing Round the Room” by Phish
“The World’s Greatest” by R. Kelly
“We are the Champions” by Queen
Bonus points for guilty pleasure 80s songs:
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham and “Africa” by Toto
And if you open it up to Disney, there’s a whole new batch – “Bare Necessities,” “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah,” “You Can Fly,” “Under the Sea,” “Hakuna Matata,” etc.
“99 Luftballoons” by Nena, “Life” by Sly & The Family Stone (Sly really needs to be included in this list, I think), & “July, July” by the Decemberists. Of previous suggestions, I would second “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” “Buddy Holly,” & one of the Beach Boys’ best, say, “Good Vibrations.” Also, thumbs down to “Shiny Happy People”: it may have the word “happy” in the title, but I find it terribly grating.
“Red Rubber Ball” – The Cyrkle
“Love Grows” – Edison Lighthouse
“Didn’t We Have A Nice Time” – The Tempest (really obscure, I know)
“Spin It On” – Paul McCartney & Wings
It’s a random one, but how about “Red Rubber Ball” by Cyrkle?
And I think it’s gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin’ sun is shinin’ like a red rubber ball…
(Paul Simon co-wrote this one, btw)
Speaking of Paul Simon, what about “Cecilia” and “Late in the Evening”?
Accidentally responded via twitter, but I’ll re-answer here. I’ll name 10…
1) “Falling for the First Time”-Barenaked Ladies
“Quarter to Three”-Gary “U.S.” Bonds
2) “Can I Get a Witness?”-Marvin Gaye
3) “Peg”-Steely Dan
4) “For Once in My Life”-Stevie Wonder
5) “Waiting”-Green Day
6) “Landed”-Ben Folds
7) “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”- Bruce Springsteen
9) “The Way You Look Tonight”-Frank Sinatra
10) “Late in the Evening”-Paul Simon
Cannot forget this one — Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”
Please Joe make this stop, I am trying to listen to all these songs, and there are too many good ones to listen to, and I need to get to bed
““Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
(either of those individually in their original versions would work as well)”
Ah, I missed this before posting Armstrong’s. I actually like the combo version better! Thanks for the reminder.
‘Please Joe make this stop, I am trying to listen to all these songs, and there are too many good ones to listen to, and I need to get to bed”
I implore you to listen to the Modest Mouse songs! I can’t stop listening to them.
Here comes the sun. A little band called the Beatles.
Postcards from Italy – Beirut.
And guaranteed happiness you’ve probably never heard of — “Put Your Arms Around Me” by Jens Lekman. Certainly the greatest, funniest first line ever sung.
jessica-allman brothers
Whatever else appears on this list, it must include Beatles. I nominate Twist & Shout and Here Comes The Sun*.
Bob Marley is also mandatory – one or more of One Love, Buffalo Soldier, Lively Up Yourself, Small Axe, Kaya, Soul Shakedown Party, Do It Twice, Duppy Conqueror…
Non-Beatles/Marley can include Fiesta by the Pogues, Shout by the Isley Brothers**,Better by Regina Spektor, Should I Stay or Should I Go by the Clash, I Want to Rock and Roll All Nite by Kiss, Ida Maria’s I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked, BNL’s If I Had $1,000,000, The Ocean by Led Zeppelin, Leonard Cohen’s So Long, Marianne, The White Stripes’ Hotel Yorba, What I Got by Sublime, Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane, Angelina by Louis Prima, Wyclef Jean’s Jaspora, Kate by the Ben Folds Five, Bleeding Heart Show by the New Pornographers (watching the video helps), Le plus beau du quartier by Carla Bruni, In The Beginning by K’naan, Starry Eyed Surprise by Paul Oakenfold, Time Warp from Rocky Horror, American Girl by Tom Petty, Pate File by Malajube…
(*I was in my favourite cafe last Saturday – which was also the first really gorgeous day of the year here – and they were playing Abbey Road. When Here Comes the Sun came on, one guy started singing out loud, and by the end of the song almost everyone in there was singing it…)
(**Kudos to Modern Family this week for a brilliant play on that song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qryAuCTK3uk )
No fans of hip-hop?
Jay-Z: “H to the Izzo”
Notorious BIG: “Juicy”
Lupe Fiasco: “Superstar”
Kanye West: “Good Life”, “Stronger”
dispatch – the general
This is so strange — I was JUST thinking about this the other day. I discovered a new artist (well, new to me) whose songs were just outrageously uplifting. Anyway, here is the guy:
Touches You – Mika
We Are Golden – Mika
The first song, Touches You, for some reason I cannot think of reminds me a lot of Prince in particular. Hope you enjoy.
Any time I hear “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen I feel happier.
I Believe (When I Fall in Love) – Stevie Wonder
‘Summer of ’69″ – Bryan Adams.
Also, not sure if it’s b/c I’m a Red Sox fan, but Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond, always makes me happy
It’s a bit obscure, but “Rude Boy Rock” by Lionrock. British big beat from 1998 or so.
Look it up, download it, put it on repeat. For reals.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by JPosnanski: Taking nominations for the happiest songs ever recorded. http://bit.ly/9HX5eM...
VU – Venus in Furs
Leonard Cohen – Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye
Roberta Flack – Sunday & Sister Jones
Van Morrison – TB Sheets
Geto Boys – Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me
John Coltrane – Alabama
The Frogs – Thank God I Died in That Car Crash
Nina Simone – Pirate Jenny
Circle me, Yakkity Sax.
My vote’s for New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give”.
If anybody needs to hear a happy song right now, it’s Midnight Oil’s former frontman Peter Garrett. Fast-tracked into the Australian cabinet, he headed a department charged with implementing a government-sponsored home-insulation project. Four deaths and 90 house fires later, his political career is looking as sick as an asthmatic asbestos miner. Perhaps he’ll knock out “Blue Sky Ceiling” as a memorial.
“Say Hey (I Love You)” by Michael Franti and Spearhead
The Ghostbusters theme song
The ‘Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?’ theme song
‘Walls’ by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
‘The Way You Make Me Feel,’ by Michael Jackson
‘Hey Ya,’ by Outkast
Middle Management by Bishop Allen
Touchdown Turnaround by Hellogoodbye
Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” John Denver
“Midnight Rambler” Stones
“We’re All Water” Yoko Ono
Joy to the World – Three Dog Night
Ooh, this one just came up on my iTunes shuffle and had to be mentioned…..Pulp’s “Common People”
“Centerfield”, John Fogarty
“Good Day Sunshine,” The Beatles
“The Way You Make Me Feel,” Michael Jackson
“Vogue,” Madonna
“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”, Paul Simon
“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows,” Lesley Gore
Ramrod- Bruce Springsteen
Daft Punk – Around The World, Built to Spill- Big Dipper, Car, In The Morning … All GREAT songs.
“Use Me” — Bill Withers
“Tell Me Something Good” — Rufus and Chaka Khan
“Yer Blues” — The Beatles
“I Love Rock ‘n Roll” — Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“Sunday Papers” — Joe Jackson
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da — The Beatles
Mr. Blue Sky — ELO
Victoria — The Kinks
Sons and Daughters — The Decemberists
Once in a Lifetime — Talking Heads
Seconding (or maybe thirding):
Mr. Blue Sky by ELO
American Girl by Tom Petty
Also, there’ve been several mentions of Simon/Garfunkel, and no one’s nominated “Cecelia?” BLASPHEMY. Put that song on and watch what happens to the room.
And for solo Simon, have you people never heard “Kodachrome?” Or “Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard?”
I know you’ve heard “You Can Call Me Al.” Seriously. I know you have. What is wrong with you people?
“You Wanna be Startin’ Something” — Michael Jackson. Between Jackson calling someone a vegetable to the ending of “mama-se, mama-sa, mama-ku-sa,” to the part right before the mame-se ending (Lift your head up high …) … instant happiness!
Looking back through a second time, I see someone did nominate “Cecelia.” I hereby retract my charges of blasphemy and apologize if anyone was surprised by the Spanish Inquisition.
“Furr” by Blitzen Trapper
“Canary in a Coalmine” by the Police
“Dixieland Delight” –Alabama
“Soul to Squeeze” — Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Doin’ Time” — Sublime
“Shambala” — 3 Dog Night.
I Melt With You – Modern English
I’ll follow the Sun — Beatles (words aren’t happy, but makes me feel happy)
Centerfield — John Fogerty
Fire on High — ELO
I don’t see “Build Me Up Buttercup” listed yet, as far as obvious picks (though I think Adam nailed it with the second post with “Walking on Sunshine”). “Praan” by Garry Schyman is my more obscure pick (best known as the background music for “Where the hell is Matt?”).
1. Summertime–The Sundays
2. Traveling Riverside Blues–Led Zeppelin
3. Fool in the Rain–Led Zeppelin
4. Skokiaan–Louis Armstrong
5. The Glory of Love–Big Bill Broonzy
6. Take Five–Dave Brubeck
7. One Cup of Coffee–Bob Marley
8. A.B.C.–Jackson 5
9. Come On Eileen–Dexie’s Midnight Runners
10. Stickshifts and Safetybelts–Cake
“Ooh Child” – Five Stairsteps
“Do Anything You Wanna Do” – Eddie & the Hot Rods
“People Have The Power” – Patti Smith
“Beautiful Day” – U2
“Be The Rain” – Neil Young
“Timeless Melody” – the La’s
“Move On Up” – Curtis Mayfield
“Shake Appeal” – Iggy & the Stooges
“Bernadette” – the Four Tops
“Rosalita” (live version with the horns, introduced as ‘the greatest love song i ever wrote’ and dedicated to his mom) – You Know Who
just a few of the songs on
Fernando – ABBA
Trying to avoid stuff previously mentioned:
Windy – The Association
Roadrunner – Modern Lovers
I Want You Back – Jackson 5
Tighten Up – Archie Bell and the Drells
I’m Waiting For The Day – Beach Boys
Good luck. This could go on forever. When are we doing saddest songs?
I’ll limit this to the first song that came to mind: “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior. Not only is it guaranteed to make me happy when I hear it, it usually makes me get up and dance like a fool.
Has anyone ever not become immediately happy upon hearing the opening of riff of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long”?
The Dead’s “Touch of Grey” is pretty uplifting as well.
Old Crow Medicine Show- Wagon Wheel
John Denver- Sunshine on my Shoulders
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Party Machine by Hoodoo Gurus.
Sherry Darling — Springsteen
Higher and Higher — Jackie Wilson
Running Scared — Roy Orbison
“Reasons to be Cheerful, Part III” — Ian Drury
Anybody? Anybody?
Blind Melon – “No Rain” Every time I hear that song I think “Man, this song always makes me happy.”
I have seen several nominations for “Walkin on Sunshine”, which I completely agree with, too.
“Surrender” – Cheap Trick
“Dancing with Myself” – Billy Idol
“Da Doo Ron Ron” – The Crystals
“Modern Love” – David Bowie
“Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart” – Elton John and Kiki Dee
“Casanova, Baby!” – The Gaslight Anthem
“Massive Nights” – The Hold Steady
“I Got You” – Split Enz
“Never Forget You” – Noisettes
“Can’t Hardly Wait” – The Replacements
“Beverly Hills” – Weezer
I could go on forever… there are so many songs that give me pure joy.
“Say Hey (I Love You” by Franti and Spearhead is the happiest song ever.
I’ve recently been hooked on The XX. Their song “Crystallized” is wonderful and cheers me up.
“Little Lion Man” by Mumford and Sons never fails to get me smiling.
Grazing in the Grass by The Friends of Distinction. Happiest song ever!
Dont Worry, Be Happy?
Guaranteed to put me in a better mood:
Greatful Dead – Ripple
Bob Marley – Three Little Birds
“Under the Boardwalk” – Drifters
I second “Africa” by Toto and “Cecilia”.
Heartbreak Beat, Psychadelic Furs
Nobody here listed More than a Feeling!? For shame.
Boston – More than a Feeling
Boston – Hitch a Ride
Doobie Brothers – Listen to the Music
1. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. “Supersonic” – Oasis
Moonlight, Bob Dylan
I’m sure this has been nominated multiple times already, but my favorite “happy song” is:
“Here Comes the Sun” – Beatles.
“Enjoy Yourself” – Todd Snider
Good Day Sunshine by the Beatles
Doncha Worry ‘Bout a Thing by Stevie Wonder
On a more personal note, “Til Kingdom Come” by Coldplay is a special song for me and my fiancee…basically represents our once long-distance relationship. Chris Martin sings it beautifully, but I’ll always wonder what it would have sounded like with Johnny Cash singing (as originally intended).
OK, I’ll stop now.
Garth Brooks – Friends in Low Places
Randy Travis – Forever and Ever, Amen
Garth Brooks – I’m Mr Blue
Lizst – Hungarian Rhapsodies
Paul Simon – Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Proclaimers – 500 Miles
The Mike Curb Congregation – Burning Bridges
Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
Joplin – The Entertainer
Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Eagles – Take it Easy
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry be Happy
And Any classical music that reminds me of Tom & Jerry or Bugs Bunny, especially Largo Al Factotum from the Barber of Seville.
There are more but these came to mind first.
“Praise You” – Fatboy Slim
Great song made better by the Spike Jonze music video.
“These Are Days” by 10,000 Maniacs – first song my wife and I danced to at our wedding.
“Near Wild Heaven” by R.E.M.
Most anything by Great Big Sea.
John Lennon
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
The Polyphonic Spree – Light and Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUHgKBw994A
“In the Summertime” – Mungo Jerry
“Perfect Day” – Lou Reed
“It Takes 2″ – DJ EZ Rock & Rob Base
Breakout, Foo Fighters
Maureen, Fountains of Wayne
Both Sides Now, performed by Jason Falkner
Please Mister Postman, performed by the Beatles
Eight Days a Week, the Beatles
Say Yes, Elliott Smith
Both Belong, the Grays
I’ve Just Seen a Face, the Beatles
She Said She Said, the Beatles
Does Everyone Stare, the Police
This Life of Mine (unreleased version) (but I’ll get it to you if you want it, Joe), Jason Falkner
Motor Away, Guided by Voices
Trenchtown Rock, Bob Marley
If You Want Me to Stay, Sly and the Family Stone
Hey Jude, the Beatles
Crosseyed, Brendan Benson
The Body Says No, New Pornographers
Some Might Say, Oasis
Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud, Elliott Smith
Little Whirl, Guided by Voices
Teenage FBI, Guided by Voices
The Archies – “Jingle Jangle”
If You Wanna Be Happy by Jimmy Soul
Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin.
I made “Happy Mix” vol. 1-3 back in college (circa 2000) when I first got a CD burner. Unfortuntely these got stolen from me, but I can say that a staple of the mixes was Piano Man. If I had $1,000,000 was also a great one, but it was 10 years ago so can’t remember what else was on those. Mr. Bojangles.
Race for the Prize – Flaming Lips
Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers
“Dig that Groove Baby” by the Toy Dolls.
There are some great one’s already listed (Jessica and Birdhouse in Your Soul in particular), but Angel is the Centerfold is a glaring omission.
Also, I know tastes vary, but I can’t believe that Shiny Happy People has multiple votes. Even REM thinks that song is overrated.
I heard Dio’s “Holy Diver” on the radio on my way to work this morning. It’s a rare occurrence indeed to hear Dio on the radio. It made me very happy. But then again, maybe I’ve been down too long in the midnight sea.
While not on my “Happiest Songs” list, Little Red Corvette does make my “Song as Euphamism for Vagina” list along with, well…pretty much every single other Prince song.
Ok, I am not that old, but my musical tastes are. As in ancient, at least according to some. Some of my nominees..
“Singin’ In The Rain”, Gene Kelly
“Cheek to Cheek”, written by Irving Berlin, sung best by Fred Astaire
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, written by Cole Porter, sung best by Sinatra
“Blues In The Night” and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive”, by Johnny Mercer
“Happy New Year” by Todd Snider
“Jackie Wilson Said” by Van Morrison
“Church” by Lyle Lovett
“Autumn Almanac” by the Kinks
“You’re Still Standin’ There” by Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams
A lot of the ones I would have thought of have been mentioned. Don’t think I saw;
Sorry – hit the wrong button! Don’t think I saw;
The Sun’ll come up tomorrow from Annie
Shout! the Isley Bros.
Old Time Rock and Roll – Bob Seeger
Van Morrison — Jack Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
MmmBop – Hanson
Theme of The White Shadow
“The Guitar” by They Might Be Giants
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
“Regulate” by Warren G. (feat. Nate Dogg)
Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, from what may be the happiest album ever: Songs in the Key of Life.
‘Surfin’ Bird’ — The Trashmen
‘This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)’ — Talking Heads
‘Shake Some Action’ — The Flamin’ Groovies
‘Teenage Kicks’ — The Undertones
‘Temptation’ — New Order
And to echo a few previous selections:
‘Roadrunner’ — Modern Lovers
‘Ooh Child’ — The Five Stairsteps
‘Cheek to Cheek’ — Fred Astaire
‘I Want You Back’ — The Jackson 5
‘Surrender’ — Cheap Trick
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
ABC – Jackson 5
Surrender – Cheap Trick
Rosalita- Bruce
Twistin’ by the Pool by Dire Straits.
Happiest Song Ever.
Paradise By The Dashboard Lights & All Reved Up – Meat Loaf
Glory Day – Bruce Springsteen
Photographs – Nickelback
High On You – Survivor
Time Of Your Life
U2, Angel of Harlem
I’m sure it’s been said, but Walking on Sunshine, of course.
Feist, 1 2 3 4 (original or Sesame Street)
& 2 covers: Neko Case’s This Little Light of Mine
& Joey Ramone’s What a Wonderful World
Daylight by Matt and Kim
Happiest song ever
Oh. Proof link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrLe7XPG4XU
Ooh La La by the Faces and Three Little Birds by the Great Marley. Hard not to smile with either of those.
Always make me smile (and are not mentioned before i think)
Somebody Told Me- The Killers
Basket Case – Greenday
Accindentally in Love -Counting Crows
Parachute – Something Happens
My Sharona – The Knack
“The Littlest Birds” Be Good Tanyas
“Is This Love” Bob Marley
“Mercury Blues” David Lindley
“Laughing River” Greg Brown
“Dixie Chicken” Little Feat
“Good Morning Aztlan” Los Lobos
“Diner” Martin Sexton
“Come A Long Way” Michelle Shocked
“Itchycoo Park” Small Faces
“This Must Be The Place” Talking Heads
“A Bottle Of Buckie” Ted Leo
“Domino” & “Wild Night” Van Morrison
Wow… so many great ones on the list so far. Two people beat me to “Jackie Wilson Says” at the last minute, good on ya. Also dig “Yakety Sax” showing up. Great song. Trying not to duplicate with these:
Donovan, “Sunshine Superman”
“Soul Finger”
Greatful Dead, “Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion”
Smashmouth, “I’m a Believer”
Sly and the Family Stone, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”
Bill Haley and His Comets, “Rock Around the Clock”
The Rascals, “A Girl Like You”
The Pillows, “Super Trampoline School Kid”
XTC, “The Mayor of Simpleton”
Seatbelts, “Too Good Too Bad” and “Bad Dog No Biscuits” (among others)
KT Tunstall, “Suddenly I See”
Neil Diamond, “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show”
Average White Band, “Pick Up the Pieces”
James Brown, “Ain’t it Funky Now”
Santana, “Everybody’s Everything”
Duran Duran, “Rio”
The Flaming Lips, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”
Herb Alpert, pretty much anything
the Cantina Band song from Star Wars
Barry Manilow, “Can’t Smile Without You” (yeah, I’m going there. It’s the happiest-sounding break up song ever, complete with clapping and rave-up sing-along ending)
nearly any Schoolhouse Rock, but especially “Three is a Magic Number,” “Conjunction Junction,” “Verb (That’s What’s Happening),” “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” and “Rufus Xavier Sasarpilla” – ’cause sayin’ all those nouns over and over can really wear you down.
‘For Once In My Life’ – Stevie Wonder
‘Wake Up’ – Arcade Fire
‘The Tide Is High’ – Blondie
‘Unless It’s Kicks’ – Okkervil River
‘Just Like Heaven’ – The Cure
‘Cheek to Cheek’ – as sung by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Waitin On a Sunny Day – Bruce Springsteen
American Land – Bruce Springsteen
I’ve Got My Mind Set on You – George Harrison
Toes – Zac Brown Band
“I Can See Clearly Now (the rain is gone)” – Johnny Nash
“Against the Wind” – Bob Seger
“Dancin’ in the Moonlight” – Van Morrison
Apologies if I duplicate a lot of songs; that’s an awful lot of comments. Just brainstorming:
“Ultimate” by Gogol Bordello.
“Liberation” by Pet Shop Boys.
“I Want To Take You Higher” by Sly & the Family Stone.
“Books About UFOs” by Husker Du.
“American Saturday Night” by Brad Paisley.
“I Second That Emotion” by the Miracles.
“Good Things” by Paul Revere & the Raiders.
“Formed A Band” by Art Brut.
“I Saw The Light” by Todd Rundgren.
“My Feet Keep Dancing” by Chic.
“Domino” by Van Morrison.
And, what the hey, “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life” by Monty Python.
“Flathead” by the Fratellis
“Holiday” by Weezer
#1 of all-time? “Dry the Rain” by The Beta Band. Put it on, roll the windows (or put the top) down, and drive. “I will be alright, I will be alright.”
Colin @ #11 mentioned my first choice: Happy Together by the Turtles. The song always, always, always brings a smile to my face. Maybe if I heard it more often, I’d feel differently.
Other songs that make me happy when I hear them:
* Daddy’s Little Girl. Preferably Al Martino’s version. The song always makes me think of my daughter. Kinda obvious why, I guess. When she was a baby this was her lullaby song at bedtime.
* You Are my Sunshine. This makes me think of my son. This was his lullaby song when he was a baby.
* Buttercup by the Foundations. Again, maybe if I heard it more often I’d start to dislike it. But this is another song that never ceases to bring a smile to my face.
I could probably come up with more songs if I put more more thought into it. But part of me thinks that putting more thought into it sort of defeats the purpose of the exercise. And I’m lazy, which is another point in favor of less effort.
By the way, I’m getting married in June and my reception (30 people) is in the wine cellar of an Italian restaurant in NYC. As it is, I get to put together the playlist for the evening. The comments on this blogpost are going to be a GREAT resource, thanks to everyone (and keep going!).
“Wondering Where the Lions Are” – Bruce Cockburn
“My Old School” – Steely Dan
“Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?” – Ted Leo
Finally, after the better part of the day racking my brains I finally managed to come up with:
Yeha-Noha (Wishes of Happiness and Prosperity)- from that Sacred Spirits Cd
Kingdom Come – World Party
Big Bottom – Spinal Tap (“the looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand” – if those lyrics don’t make you happy, you must be a eunuch)
Love this blog!!! Nina Simone mention (my favorite jazz singer), Royal failures, baseball discussion, pop culture, Banny Log, 64 second brackets, and enough written material to keep me busy at least 5 hours a week. Is this heaven?
- “This Is the Day” – The The
- The entire B-52′s catalog
- “Someday Someway” – Marshall Crenshaw
- “Michael Caine” – Madness
- “Picture Book” – The Kinks (actually make it the entire VGPS album)
- “Sweetie” – Josh Rouse
“Doing It Right” – The Go! Team
“Nearer Than Heaven” – The Delays
“Punk Rock Girl” – Dead Milkmen
“In The Summertime,” By Mungo Jerry
“Walk Of Life,” By Dire Straits
This far and no mention of “Afternoon Delight” by The Starland Vocal Band?
Ron Burgundy is not happy.
“Tell Me Baby” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Break My Stride” – Matthew Wilder
2nd the mention of “Africa” by Toto
F*** the Police by N.W.A.
As #44 says, ‘Sly really needs to be included in this list, I think.’ I’ll second the nomination for “Want to Take You Higher” It is not only one of the happiest songs ever, but also stars as the background music in a strip of Ernie Pook’s Comeek which rightly focuses on the song’s ability to make the listener, you know, happy.
If anyone has a scan of that strip, please post a link.
“Olsen Olsen,” Sigur Ros
“Here Comes the Sun,” The Beatles
“Mean Mr. Mustard,” The Beatles
“Worrywort,” Radiohead
“Columbia,” Oasis
“Film,” Aphex Twin
“Hey Ya,” Outkast
“Barely Legal,” The Strokes
“Alec Eiffel,” The Pixies
“Captain EasyChord,” Stereolab
“Such Great Heights,” The Postal Service
“Float On,” Modest Mouse
“The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth,” Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
“Lantern,” Brian Jonestown Massacre
“Bron-Y-Aur Stomp,” Led Zeppelin
“Friends,” Led Zeppelin
“Clock,” Beck
“Radio Song,” REM
“In the Flowers,” Animal Collective
“Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues,” Eels
That list got a lot longer than I thought it would…
“Flood of Sunshine” by the Posies (and yes, they did blatantly steal that organ part from Led Zeppelin)
“Ain’t That Good News”, Sam Cooke
“Mersey Paradise” Stone Roses (you have to sort of ignore the lyrics, which aren’t happy at all, and focus on the gorgeous, chiming of the guitars and the way the drums push the song into the chorus)
“Fisherman’s Blues” and “Church Not Made With Hands” by the Waterboys.
“Bust a Move” Young MC – seriously, if that bassline doesn’t make you feel good, check for a pulse.
OK, three more…then I’m done…
“Doin’ Time,” Sublime
“Instant Karma,” John Lennon
“Little Secret,” Passion Pit
Another vote for “Blue Sky” by the Allman Brothers, and I’ll add “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five” by (Paul McCartney and) Wings. No idea what the song’s about, but it always makes me smile.
Has any one taken to creating an ultimate suggestions list?
I’d love to have it sent to Poz so he can post it for all to enjoy.
I would do it, but I’m afraid I’m too busy this week and would not be able to accomplish the task in a timely manner.
“Gymnopédies” — Erik Satie;
This probably makes me more pensive than happy, but sometimes I’m happy to be pensive.
“Summertime Blues” — The Crickets;
Anything by Buddy Holly could probably make the list.
“Strange Meadow Lark” — The Dave Brubeck Quartet;
For 20 seconds starting at the three-minute mark, no song makes me happier.
“Eidelweiss” — Rodgers and Hammerstein;
Mostly because my wife sings it to me.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” — U2;
Like Joe says, the song itself doesn’t have to be happy…
“Human” — The Killers
Not a big fan of their stuff, but a guy in a class put together a music video that makes me smile:
http://vimeo.com/2481399
Top of my list is “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi. The first day it doesn’t make me smile is probably 18 days after my funeral.
I can second many of the entries brought out so far, and this is by no means the only one I’d probably add after a lot of consideration… but I did want to suggest:
“I Wanna Be a Lifeguard”, by Blotto
Man, there are some good (happy) songs here already. Most of my candidates have been listed time and time again, so I won’t repeat. A few additional suggestions:
“September Gurls” – Big Star.
“My Baby Just Cares for Me” – Nina Simone
That song from School of Rock that Jack Black sang (“So if you wanna be the teacher’s pet/lalala/baby, you better forget it . . .”
“Step Into My Office, Baby” – Belle & Sebastian
Pretty much any Django Reinhardt tune
“Heading for the Light” – Traveling Wilburys
“Slow Dog” – Belly (definitely one of those sounds-happy-but-probably-isn’t songs)
Oh, and “Number 9 Dream” – John Lennon
Which reminds me that “My Sweet Lord” sounds happy . . .
Whcih reminds me of Phil Spector, which leads me to suggest ANYTHING off the Phil Spector Christmas Album, which just might contain the happiest sounding music in human history.
Anyhow, carry on. And speaking of “Carry On,” how’s about “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by CSN. Happiest coda you’ll ever find.
Love the idea
“Politics Polka” Tina and the B-Sides
Summerfling by kd lang
C’est La Vie – Always 21 by Ace of Base
Someone beat me to Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, but I’ll offer up Fun It, also on Queen’s Jazz album. (Yes, the same album with Fat Bottomed Girls and Bicycle Race… maybe the most under-appreciated and “happy song” Queen album of all.)
Al Green- tired of being alone
Otis Redding- Happy Song
John Prine- Fish and Whistle
Black Eyed Peas- I gotta fealing
Wreckless Eric- Whole wide world
Gerry and the pacemakers- you’ll never walk alone
My Old School, Steely Dan.
List could use some Otis Redding. “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” isn’t the only option, but it’s a good one.
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. Absolutely nothing about the song makes me happy. However, whenever I hear it, I can’t help but think of Will Ferrell banging away on the cowbell. And how can that, not make a guy happy.
Rush, The Spirit of Radio. If I hear that song on the ride into work in the morning, that day would have to be catastrophic to become a Bad Day.
“7 Stars” by Apples in Stereo
“Death Dance of Omipapas and Songs for You” by of Montreal.
Both songs get my dancing and singing along right from the beginning
(Simply) The Best by Tina Turner
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” – Blue Oyster Cult
Just beautiful, and for me, very happy.
Damn, Ryan beat me. Well, I agree with him on that aspect of the song too.
Swingtown – Steve Miller
I actually call this my ‘happy song’ for entirely personal reasons. (long story)
Istanbul – TMBG. Especially if you’ve seen the Tiny Toons cover.
Movin’ Right Along, Mahna Mahna – Henson et al.
“Cleaning Windows” by Van Morrison
Lots of great suggestions… (Actually, too many)… LOL
Of the ones already offered I like (in no particular order):
-”Walkin’ On Sunshine”
-”Centerfield”
-”Here Comes the Sun”
-”I Gotta Feeling” (my kids LOVE this song)
-”Say Hey (I Love You)”
-”Cecilia”
-”Glory Days” & “Walk of Life” (sports-related videos from back in the day)
-”If I Had a $1000000″
-”No Rain”
-”Oh La La” (GREAT call!)
Ones I like but not mentioned:
-”Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn–how can that song NOT uplift someone?
-”Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel–my favorite from Gabriel
-”Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby” by Counting Crows–one of my top five favorite songs, ever
-”Spider Fingers” or “Rainbow’s Cadillac” by Bruce Hornsby
-”So Moved On” by O.A.R.–particularly great if you are coming off of a divorce LOL
-”All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow
-”Summer Sun” by KC natives Shooting Star
OK–WAY too much time spent on this… LOL
Hall and Oates!!!
“I Wanna Be a Boss” by Stan Ridgway.
“Born to Run,” “Sweet Home Alabama” as soon as I hear the opening notes of each of those songs, the volume goes up, the top goes down, and the car speeds up. Both of those songs just make me happy.
down to the final four
Stones-Jumpin Jack Flash
Jimi-Watchtower
Rascals-Good Lovin
Kingsmen-Louie Louie
dam goin with Louie Louie
That’s easy for me; Autograph’s “Turn Up the Radio”. Whenever I hear it, I do…
Practically anything by the Four Tops….
Bob Dylan’s “Stuck in Mobile w/the Memphis Blues Again” for personal reasons mostly.
I can’t believe that with all the Simon and Garfunkel songs mentioned, no one said “The 59th Street Bridge Song” (Feelin’ Groovy).
Only made it ot about #25 before I had to protest. The happiest (and also the saddest songs) come from the country side of the dial.
“Good Brown Gravy” by Joe Diffy–I can still see my 2 year old nephew ebing led to dance by this song.
Anything by Ray Stevens, but especially his Grammy award winniing version of “Misty”
Any of the old patriotic songs by Johnny Horton.
I have to say Kool and the Gang “Celebration”
Mel McDaniel “Louisiana Saturday NIght” or “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On”
“Swingin’” and “I’m Just an OPld Lump of Coal” by John Anderson
“White Lightnin’” by George Jones
I have to stop because a hundred songs are flooding to my memory.
Am I the only one who contemplates suicide when they hear “Walkin’ on Sunshine”? That’s a contender for most annoying song of all time; I cannot understand what it is doing anywhere near a happiest songs list.
Right behind “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and “Shiny Happy People.” Just because “happy” is in the title doesn’t mean it makes you happy, dammit!
I’m w you Dave E. (#195)
I want to burn in hell when I hear “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
“Island In The Sun” – Weezer
“15 to 20″ – Phenomenal Handclap Band
“Me, Myself & I” – De La Soul
“You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates
“I Feel It All” – Feist
Wow, a lot of responses.
The obvious answer, suggested by several others, is Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard. I’ll also suggest Boy Least Likely To’s rendition of ‘Faith.’ There are banjos.
Shiny Happy People by REM
I Want To Hold Your Hand by some band.
Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & the Waves
All You Need Is Love
I’m Happy and Peppy and Bursting With Love by The Odd Couple
Switching To Glide/This Beat Goes On by The Kings
NMark W, every time I hear one of the songs I listed, I wonder if I’ve already died and gone to hell. How much worse could real hell be?
Oh, I forgot, “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry. Any song that includes the lyrics “Chh chh-chh, unh” and “de-da-do, do-da-do, dottin-da” has to make you smile.
Quick check of the iPod reveals:
“Good Thing” — Fine Young Cannibals
“’92 Subaru” — Fountains Of Wayne
“Hey Jack Kerouac” — 10,000 Maniacs
“Zoo Station” — U2
“Fire Escape” — Fastball
“Vienna Calling” — Falco
“Run-Around” — Blues Traveler
“Dyslexic Heart” — Paul Westerberg (from the Singles soundtrack)
“This Must Be The Place” — Talking Heads
“Praise You” — Fatboy Slim
“Graceland” — Paul Simon
In part to tweak Joe, I’ll add “Your Love” by the Outfield to the mix, if it hasn’t been mentioned yet.
They Might Be Giants – NYC, its a bit corny but fantastic.
Decemberists – Oceanside, really paints a beaufiful scene in my mind.
Postal Service – We Will Become Sillouttes, as happy a song about nuclear winter can be….youll see what I mean(why not go with 99 luft balloons here as well to go with the theme)
The Talking Heads – Stay Up Late
“Bustin’ Loose” – Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers. Try and sit still through this whole song. I dare you.
” In the Jungle” The Kingston Trio
Anything by James Brown as long as there’s a few well placed grunts, and one “Good God”.
If I have to pick one I’ll go with “popcorn” but there’s any number of alternates.
“Pants on the Ground” By that old guy.
And “The Hey Song”
Go Chiefs
Two more:
Lust for Life – Iggy and the Stooges
Bang the Drum – Bad Manners
La Ti Da, and Chasing Fireflies- The Icicles
Can’t Buy Me Love – The Concretes
Scarlet – U2
Everbody clap your hands
Big thumbs up to the recommendations of July, July! by the Decemberists, The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side by Magnetic Fields, Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues by eels, pretty much anything by the Polyphonic Spree, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by Flaming Lips, Teenage FBI by GBV, September Gurls by Big Star and some others I’m too lazy to sift through 200-plus comments to find.
I’ll also second Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, though I’d go with Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood (not the most uplifting song title, I know) or Underwater. Apples in Stereo, I’d go with Energy or Signal in the Sky. Of Montreal’s Sing You a Love Song is catchy and poppy. And New Pornographers have a bunch – I’d pick Mass Romantic as one that I can’t not sing along to.
I’d also nominate Wilco for Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway or Outtasite (Outta Mind.)
OK Go (the guys with the treadmill video) have This Too Shall Pass, which is catchy and has the positive message.
I’m in love, despite its inanity, with Nature Anthem by Grandaddy. I’ll also suggest the La’s There She Goes.
And the Canadian in me has to suggest Sloan’s Everything You’ve Done Wrong or The Good in Everyone and Rheostatics’ Aliens (Christmas 1988.)
Blue Indian by Widespread Panic
Cleaning Windows by Van Morrison.
Circle me stoopid. How in the wide wide world of sports could I have possibly forgotten.
The Camptown Ladies. oh come on you know
De Camptown ladies sing dis song, Doo-dah! doo-dah!
De Camptown race-track five miles long, Oh, doo-dah day
A couple of songs from Abbey Road. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window and Octopuss’s Garden.
A couple of Kenny Loggin’s songs from great 80′s movies. Footloose and I’m Alright. A great song to wake up to is Daybreak by the forgettable Barry Manilow.
I’d second Simon and Garfunkel’s “59th Street Bridge Song.”
And I’d throw in John Lennon’s “Oh Yoko.” I started doing some (fairly) long distance running a couple of summers ago. I’d heard folks talk about getting a “runner’s high” towards the end of a long run. Never happened to me. Until I added “Oh Yoko” to my playlist.
The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” always makes me smile too.
Subterranean Homesick Alien – Radiohead …Pyramid Song – Radiohead…Hey Ya – Outkast…Lateralus – TOOL…Rocklobster – B-52s how can you not smile during the sea creature rundown?
Mainstream, I’m throwing in “Tequila” by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Perhaps in part b/c I’m of an age to associate it with Pee Wee Herman dancing, but I think it’s pretty spirit-lifting even without that.
To throw onto the indie rock discussion, I’ll mention “Your F—ing Sunny Day” by Lambchop and “My Baby Portable Player Sound” by the Pizzicato Five.
Blue Indian is a great choice. Swamp or Girlfriend is Better – Talking Heads. Soul Shine – Govt Mule (Warren Haynes). Joyful Sound – String Cheese Incident
I was gonna say “Tighten Up” and “I Want You Back,” but I see Mikey beat me to it. Good calls, Mikey.
“Party at Ground Zero” by Fishbone is relentlessly happy-sounding. But it’s actually a cold war era song about the fear of nuclear annihilation.
Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel
Maggi, Pierce & E.J. – Space
The Dutchess & The Duke – Armageddon Song
Outfield – Your Love
Any song from the Juno soundtrack.
I see I’ve been beaten to the punch by everyone on most all of these, but I’ll chime in with seconds and thirds:
“Walk Of Life” — Dire Straits
“You Make My Dreams” — Hall & Oates
“The Middle” — Jimmy Eat World
“Pride and Joy” — Stevie Ray Vaughn
“Walking On Sunshine” — Katrina and the Waves
“Every Little Thing She Does” — The Police
“How Sweet It Is” — James Taylor
“Hey Jude” — The Beatles
Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros
ABC – Jackson 5
Hey Girl – OAR
Octopus’s Garden – Beatles
Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
but the song that makes me happiest of all is definitely Ripple by the Grateful Dead. No question.
Devil Went Down To Georgia- Charlie Daniels Band
New York, New York- Frank Sinatra
Wavin’ Flag- K’naan
forgot one!
Chicago- Sufjan Stevens
Take The Skinheads Bowling – Camper Van Beethoven
Charlie Brown – Coasters
I’m Left You’re Right She’s Gone – Elvis
Teen Angst – Cracker
Runnin’ Down A Dream – Tom Petty
Down The Road A Piece – Rolling Stones
She Loves You – Beatles
I Wonder Why – Dion & the Belmonts
Scared To Death – H.I.M.
Rave On – Buddy Holly
The Crusher – Novas
Time to go a bit off the board with a few of these. I’m scanning, and I don’t recall seeing any of these listed…
“Ice Machine in the Desert” – Brave Combo
“Psychobilly Freakout” – Rev. Horton Heat
“Black Betty” – Ram Jam
“Stone Cold Crazy” – Metallica
“Root Beer Rag” – Billy Joel
Roam – The B52s
Great topic. Right in my wheelhouse. Ergo a curiously long reply (my second at Joe’s site).
Anka? Hanson? Manilow? Seriously?
Kudos to #42 Latch key Kid for Doo Wah Diddy. Yes, and it counts!
Props to #122 Gene for Blue Sky. One of the best.
#47 Mel, #136 browngoat, good work on Rosalita. #86 Caryn – extra credit for specifying the exact live arrangement.
OK, a few of mine that I haven’t seen yet:
Rock around the clock
Catch a wave
Poison ivy
King Tut
Dancing Queen
Little Latin Lupe Lu
Across the universe
The Twist
Good Lovin (not a Deadhead, but their version)
Road to Morocco
Gloria (Them)
When you’re hot, you’re hot
Whispering bells
Mr. Lee
That thing you do!
Kiss on my list
Move it on Over
Boom Boom
Streets of bakersfield
Nobody here but us chickens (trust me)
Uptown girl
Do You love me
Goin’ Mobile (put the top down)
Mi Vida Loca
I Only want to be with you
Haven’t seen anything by The King.
How about The Lady Loves Me, a duet with Ann-Margret(!) on Viva Las Vegas soundtrack, with hot video on You Tube.
I’m out of gas. You’re welcome.
#230 abbaticchio:
Hadn’t read your reply when I went to press. Good call on Elvis, from the first RCA album. Great call with I Wonder Why – one of the most soaring vocals evah !
Sugar Magnolia/Sunshine Daydream, the Grateful Dead.
Sometimes in the winter I’m afraid to listen to the Live Europe ’72 version because I’m afraid it will stop the rain, force the sun to shine, and somehow alter the global climate.
Final (probably) entry: “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Feeling Good Again by Robert Earl Keen. Everything goes right in this song how can that not make you happy?
“Hey Ya” by Outkast
Great work, everyone (or, almost everyone…). What a fun exercise – which is hardly surprising, given that we are trying to generate happiness…Lots of great recommendations to add to my own list.
Might just throw in a couple other recommendations:
Ok Go – This Too Shall Pass (topical, because of this amazing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w )
The Pixies – Here Comes Your Man
XTC – I’m the Man Who Murdered Love (for a song with a happy “feel” that is entirely disconsonant with its title & lyrics).
I’ll second “Cleaning Windows” by Van Morrison.
Could easily add other Van songs such as “Bright Side of the Road”, “Full Force Gale” or “Redwood Tree.”
The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun
Bob Marley – Jammin’, Johnny Was
Led Zeppelin – Over the Hills and Far Away, Ramble On, Going to California
Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground, Big Brother
Notorious BIG – I Got a Story to Tell
Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter
Jay-Z – My 1st song
The Temptations – Papa Was a Rolling Stone
George Michael – Faith (only slow, acoustic versions though)
Santana – Black Magic Woman
Kanye West – The Good Life
Billy Idol – White Wedding (not a good song, but it makes me laugh – often hysterically)
Dave Matthews Band – So Much to Say, Two Step, #41
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Stairway to Heaven cover
Jeff Buckley – The Way Young Lovers Do (live at sin-e)…best song on this list, hands down
Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin
Everybody Wants Some – Van Halen
Big Surf – The Sentinals
Twist and Shout – Beatles
In the Mood – Benny Goodman
Whip It – Devo
Peaches – The Stranglers
She Loves You – Beatles
Sex and Candy – Marcy Playground
Flag Dub – King Tubby
Satisfaction – Rolling Stones
Get Down Tonight – KC & the Sunshine Band
Hello I Love You – The Doors
Miserlou – Dick Dale
Minnie the Moocher – Cab Calloway
Rock Lobster – B-52s
School’s Out – Alice Cooper
Dog Faced Boy – Eels
without mention songs, nor reading all 250 comments, I have to say few write a better happy song than Paul McCartney…because he is a genius.
Rhapsody in Blue
Signed Sealed Delivered, by Stevie
(love its use in Crooklyn by Spike — which remains my favorite Strat-o-matic themed movie ever).
Ooo. And Valerie, by the other Stevie W., Steve Winwood.
Can’t stop!
1234 by Feist
(the Happy Song) by Otis Redding
I also love Can’t Turn You Loose by Otis, but that is because of the Blues Brothers more than anything
Lots of great stuff. But a dearth of funk.
The Happy Song by Janitor Bob and the Armchair Cowboys- awesome guitar in this song and very upbeat. From a local band, while I was in college. Great song, great memories.
“Steal my Sunshine” Lem
That last comment, #249. The band is “Len.”
I’d also push for
“Another Sunny Day” Belle and Sebastian
“Friday I’m in Love” The Cure
“You Me and the Bourgeoisie” The Submarines “O Valencia!” The Decemberists
“We Will Become Silhouettes” The Shins’ version
“Life in Technicolor II” Coldplay
Here are a few.
Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants To Run The World”
Wake Up by Arcade Fire
Up On the Roof by James Taylor
U Can’t Touch This
One more: “One Day” by Matisyahu. I love peace songs.
Polyphonic Spree- “Light and Day”, try not to dance to that song, it’s impossible.
of late LCD Soundsystem … Losing My Edge
Had to go to Youtube after these posts and reacquaint myself with some great videos. One of my favorite all time is Paul Simon and Chevy Chase in “You Can Call Me Al.”
Hilarious.
How could you not be happy after seeing that video?
Van Morrison – Cleaning Windows
If that song can’t make you happy, good luck.
Probably as much because of the movies they come from but I offer up these two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNPp6x7j9I8
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvDnG8TqPt8&feature=related
(non-movie entries would be Slick Rick/Doug E. Fresh – “The Show” and Dave Matthews – “You and Me”)
I little piece of me just died when I read that the Fergie sings “I gotta feeling”. I hope it’s not the same song as the beatles. I’m not one of those beatles nutsos, but still, that’s all kinds of wrong. the BEPs may need to be put down.
Thanks for someone above mentioning Steve Winwood. His ‘Back In the High Life Again’ was a fave of mine back in ’87-’88.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKOvbzXiCKc
I don’t know what she’s saying… but it’s awesome and it makes me smile everytime.
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
Soul Singing – Black Crowes
Sunshine Daydream – Grateful Dead
Land Down Under- Men at Work
Lookin Out My Back Door- CCR
Crazy Little Thing Called Love- Queen
Crocodile Rock- Elton John
Bicycle Race- Queen
39- Queen
Billie Jean- Michael Jackson
Shiny Happy People – REM
Girls just wanna have fun – Cyndi Lauper
I’m walking on sunshine – Katrina and waves
Keep telling that history:
Read the novel, Rescue at Pine Ridge, “RaPR”, a great story of black military history…the first generation of Buffalo Soldiers.
How do you keep a people down? ‘Never’ let them ‘know’ their history.
The 7th Cavalry got their butts in a sling again after the Little Big Horn Massacre, fourteen years later, the day after the Wounded Knee Massacre. If it wasn’t for the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, there would of been a second massacre of the 7th Cavalry.
Read the novel, “Rescue at Pine Ridge”, 5 stars Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the youtube trailer commercial…and visit the website http://www.rescueatpineridge.com
I hope you’ll enjoy the novel. I wrote it from my mini-series movie of the same title, “RaPR” to keep my story alive. Hollywood has had a lot of strikes and doesn’t like telling our stories…its been “his-story” of history all along…until now. The movie so far has attached, Bill Duke directing, Hill Harper, Glynn Turman and a host of other major actors in which we are in talks with…see imdb.com at; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0925633/
When you get a chance, also please visit our Alpha Wolf Production website at; http://www.alphawolfprods.com and see our other productions, like Stagecoach Mary, the first Black Woman to deliver mail for Wells Fargo in Montana, in the 1890′s, “spread the word”.
Peace.
Erich
I’d like to suggest a couple:
Keep Hanging On by Husker Du
99 by The Minutemen
Probably missed the cutoff to add here, but I would like to throw in “In a Daydream” by the Freddie Jones Band. I’m not sure but I think they are a Chicago band, maybe not too well known. I do know that I associate them with Chicago, in particular standing outside Murphy’s Bleachers, cold Old Style in hand, waiting to hit Wrigley for a day game. There aren’t many happier memories for me than that!
Thought of one more, probably a bit obscure for the clientele here.
“Sing It One More Time Like That” — Trout Fishing In America
All their children’s music is happy stuff, as are many of the more pop oriented tunes like this one.
I already commented on your Facebook page, so I’ll spare a repeat. However, I feel ashamed for leaving off one song:
Heart of Mine … Peter Sallett (from the Keeping the Faith soundtrack)
No one has mentioned any Dee Lite song? Groove is in the Heart (frankly, any song from their first (only?) CD works for me).
Satisfy My Soul, Bob Marley.
I’m so happy people are mentioning XTC—-but I’d have to say Pink Thing is the song that always makes me smile/laugh (except when my teenage sons are in the room…..) the most of their songs. Mayor of Simpleton is one of the all time under-rated love songs.
I really should have thought of this more: Super Bon Bon by Soul Coughing….
Metallica/Thin Lizzy–Whiskey in a jar
Red Hot Chili Peppers–Hey Oh!
Dire Straits–Sultans of swing
Fools Garden–lemon Tree
Sam Cooke(one of the great voices)–A change is gonna come
Zac brown band–Toes
Elton John–Tiny Dancer
Train–Hey soul Sister
Bob Marley–Nowoman no cry/3 little birds
Peter tosh–Legalize it
Concrete Blond(great female voice)–Mexican Moon
America–Woman tonight
Police–Walking on the moon
Plus many more that I cannot think of right now and alot that have already been mentioned…Damn I love music.
Joe, one request: when you put up the forthcoming poll on happy songs, I’d like to see a parallel poll for most annoying songs of all time to see what the correlation is.
’cause Dee Lite is another band that makes me want to stick needles in my eyes.
Nilsson: Lime in the Coconut
Bugs and Elmer: Wagner’s Kill the Wabbit overture.
Anything from Fantasia
Joplin: Mercedes Benz
Dylan: Tangled up in Blue
Don McLean: American Pie
Annie Lennox: Sweet Dreams
Heart: Barracuda
The Hollywood Argyles: I Only have Eyes for You
Aerosmith: Dude (Look like a lady)
The Cars: Moving in Stereo
Joe Cocker: When the Night Comes
Meatloaf: I Wont do That
Queen: Fat Bottomed Girls
Three Dog Night: Mama Told me not to come
Duke Ellington: Sophisticated Lady
I know this isn’t supposed to be sports related, but I love Orioles’ Magic and How ‘Bout Dem O’s. NOt exactly my favorite genres, but they’re so uplifting and since the Orioles are eternally horrendous the optimism (especially in How ‘Bout Dem O’s, which was written last year) is inspiring because of the abysmal situation that is the Baltimore Orioles. I’m loyal to the end.
1) Orioles Magic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mr7mQuGmp0&feature=related
2) How ‘Bout Dem O’s
http://www.myspace.com/howboutdemos
(Click on the 3rd song, not the Stadium Edit)
[...] See the original post here: Joe Posnanski » Blog Archive » Happy Songs [...]
Forgot on my mini list earlier,
A dying Cubs fans last request- Steve Goodman
De La Soul – Eye Know
REM – Man on the Moon
Clem Snide – I Love the Unknown
The Beat (English) – Sole Salvation
Flunk – On My Balcony
MGMT – Electric Feel
Peter, Bjorn & John – Young Folks
Stone Roses – She Bangs the Drums
Santogold – Lights Out
Big Country – In a Big Country
Chemical Brothers – Salmon Dance
Human Beinz – Nobody But Me
Reindeer Section – You are My Joy
Spiritualized – Ladies and Gentleman We’re Floating in Space ( My wedding song)
Strangeloves – I Want Candy
Young Jeezy – I luv It
Surfer Blood – Swim
Har Mar Superstar – Tall Boy
Gorillaz – DARE & Superstar Jellyfish
Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
this could go on forever.
@275, you know, that’s what I’d normally say too, but for some reason, that CD gets met going. As a Taking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, XTC, Mike Doughty, Greenday fan, I generally don’t like music like Dee Lite…just shows that music can produce unpredictable outcomes I think.
I’d also add any song from Disney’s Jungle Book – that music reminds me of happy childhood times.
Can’t believe there’s only one mention of the Shins. “Australia” is such a bouncy, happy song that I felt sure someone else would’ve picked it. Well, not if you listen to the words, but still.
A lot of great tunes here but one that gets me right fired up is Huddle Formation by the Go Team. It’s the perfect mix of searing guitar and double dutch rhymes. How can that not make you happy.
On the other hand We Have All The Time In The World makes me so happy it’ll bring me to tears nearly every time. He died shortly after recording it which makes the message all the more powerful. This is also the best James Bond theme, period.
True Story.
I’m reading the comments here, and just now, as my daughter is watching Ice Age, what do I hear?
Send me on my way
Send me on my wa-a-ay
Send me on myyy way
Hmmm…
And I was instantly…
happy.
Walkin’ on Sunshine, for sure.
MmmBop, by Hanson
Hey Ya!, Outkast
Everyday, by Buddy Holly
Wouldn’t it be Nice, Beach Boys
Obla di Obla da, Beatles
Rosalita, Bruce Springsteen
Stand, REM
Beautiful Day, U2
You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher, Jackie Wilson
The Things we Do for Love, 10CC
Great lists, all -
“Walking on Sunshine” is an excellent choice, I nod to that.
“Anime Phenomenon”, Shonen Knife
“Good I Feel Bad”, High Water Marks
Itchykoo Park – Small Faces (pre-Rod Stewart Faces)
Many excellent responses.
My addition: Love Shack
I like em fast paced to get happy, such as …
“Feelin’ Good Again” by Robert Earl Keen
“Litany” by Guadalcanal Diary
“Melt With You” by Modern English
“Save it For Later” by English Beat
“Town Called Malice” by The Jam
Great list. Lots of wonderful stuff. I’d add many, many songs from James Taylor (Smiling Face) and Norah Jones (Sunrise)
No Matter What- Badfinger
Can’t Explain- The Who
Cynical Girl- Marshall Crenshaw
Twin Cinema- The New Pornographers
“I Saw Her Again” The Mama’s and the Papa’s.
Such a happy melody for such unhappy lyrics. Must be on this list.
Walk of Life – Dire Straits
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
Holiday – Greenday
Heard it in a Love Song – Marshall Tucker
Fast Cars & Freedom – Rascal Flatts
Remind Me – Royksopp
Island in the Sun – Weezer
Toes – Zac Brown Band
Brilliant idea, Joe – it’s taken me 3 days to scroll through the hundreds of great suggestions! 3 more:
Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) – Squeeze
Amish Paradise – Weird Al
World in Motion – New Order (best football song ever, written for ’90 World Cup)
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Y Ándale (Linda Ronstadt)
Fantastic Day, Haircut 100
Having read all the comments, I’d just like to say . . .
. . . do you think I’m crazy? Who would read all the comments? They’re just lists of dopey songs.
Anyway —
Oh What a Beautiful Morning
Overhead The Moon is Beaming
Oklahoma
and that’s just songs starting with O.
No way I’m reading all the ones suggested, but I’m saying:
Salisbury Hill by Peter Gabriel (this clip is all the proof you need – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os6raCCmAFk)
I Like the Way You Move by Outkast
Happy Hour- Housemartins.
Walking on Sunshine
Blue Sky–Allman Bros
Stoned Soul Picnic—Laura Nyro
Jackie Wilson Said—Van Morrison
Groovin’–Rascals
Rosalita—Springsteen
Hoppiloppa–Sugar Rus
Morning Morgantown–Joni Mitchell
Ob-la-Di Ob-la-Da
I’ve read all the previous comments. Here are a few more high-profile songs that haven’t been mentioned:
Sh-Boom 2:29 1954 The Chords
Duke of Earl 2:31 Gene Chandler
Born to Be Wild 3:31 1968 Steppenwolf
Gimme Some Lovin’ 2:56 1966 The Spencer Davis Group
Let’s Stay Together 3:18 1971 Al Green
My Girl 2:44 1964 The Temptations 4.99
Don’t Worry Baby (Single Version) 2:49 1964 The Beach Boys
You Send Me 2:46 1957 Sam Cooke
Me and Bobby McGee 4:30 1970 Janis Joplin & the Full Tilt Boogie Band
Sweet Jane (Full Length Version) 4:09 1970 The Velvet Underground
Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) 3:00 1954 The Penguins
Joe, if you were planning on doing a poll for this, you may want to use a “Knockout tournament” format.
Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band. Heard it blaring over the loudspeakers one hot July afternoon at Royals Stadium during pre-game warmups in 1976. Ever since, when i hear it, reminds me of going to the game, among other things.
“Good Day Sunshine” by the Beatles, and “I’m Free” by The Who, which I used to hum after finishing my last final each semester in college.
If this doesn’t make you happy, nothing will.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIvIjE72Aeo
@277 — Absolutely, Brad. “Orioles Magic, feel it happen!!!”
Take me out to the ballgame
Who Says You Can’t Go Home by Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
You Baby by the Turtles
I
Glad to see some other mentions for Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros. Here’s its video for the unacquainted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EyI4p0yjDQ
“Final (probably) entry: “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs.”
Interesting. I always take that to be a song of deep heartbreak. Beautiful though.
From the same band, I’d nominate “Hysteric”.
This has got to be one of the happiest songs of all time. If only I knew what he was saying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NGSl3CldFY
Great great thread! Many on my list were on here…here’s some other songs that always bring me a smile (a couple of guilty pleasures thrown in):
The Hooters – And We Danced
Sergio Mendes – Mas Que Nada
Jesus & Mary Chain – Head On
The Cure – Hey You
Tiger Army – As the Cold Rain Falls
Eels – Packing Blankets
INXS – Don’t Change
Jesus Jones – Right Here Right Now
Ah, hopelessly buried somewhere in the 300s… To cheer myself up, I’ll put on a little Happiest Girl in the Whole USA by Donna Fargo.
“Joy to the World” 3 dog night…definitely
“Joy to the World” 3 dog night…definitely
“Joker” by Steve Miller Band
“Friends in Low Places” makes everyone happy I think
Two They Might Be Giants Songs:
New York City
Birdhouse in Your Soul
Not necessarily “Happy” but more uplifting is Springsteen’s My City Of Ruins. I find it a very uplifting song to listen to and it can really make me feel good. However my girlfriend maintains that it is a sad song.
I’m sure these are mentioned elsewhere but Waitin On A Sunny Day and Rosalita also come to mind as good “Happy” songs from the Boss.
I love Rudie Can’t Fail by the Clash.
I’ll second “Sugar Magnolia / Sunshine Daydream”
That transition live is such a kick in the pants, too.
Obviously, happy is a very subjective phrase. I’m trying to stick with songs that are innately happy music with happy words as much as possible. I’m eliminating songs that merely have happy memories, such as Beethoven’s Coriolanus Overture*. In fact, I’ll pretty stick to songs: not portions of classical pieces, not film soundtracks, not show tunes.
There was a purity list going around campus back in the pre-AIDS 70s which gave a point for, uh, intimate behaviors performed to the Coriolanus Overture. I had a copy of it because I had all Beethoven’s symphonies and overtures, and while the piece itself is far from my favorite, it led to many interesting and happy moments. Hey, nerds needed things like purity points to get any action!
I can’t imagine any Happy Songs list without some Beach Boys on it. “Surfing USA”, “Sloop John B”, and “Good Vibrations” are atop that list. But I’ll limit myself to one song per group/performer, and go with the sloop.
Ditto Beatles. “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da”, “Hard Day’s Night”, “Daytripper”, and “I want to hold your hand” would top that list. I go with “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da”; it’s the happiest song of all time.
I’d add “Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters. “Mr Bass Man” belongs there. I prefer the original, but the Muppets do a fine job with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnieQ7hUcN8 .
Paul Simon has many strong candidates: “Kodachrome” and S&G’s “Cecilia” deserve consideration, but I’ll go with “Late in the Evening.”
“Who Are You” would be my pick from The Who. Harry Nilsson’s “Lime in the Coconut” is a fine choice, just nosing out “Girl Friend” and “Everybody’s Talking”.
Shel Silverstein’s “Cover of the Rolling Stone” is there. I echo “Centerfield” from John Fogerty, and its J. Giles Band homonymic predecessor, “Centerfold.”. The Mamas and the Papas get “I Saw Her Again.” Richie Valens and “La Bamba”, and Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” make my list. And Mason Williams’ “Classical Gas” is #14, and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” .
I limited myself to stand alone songs. But if I were to go show tunes, I think any list starts with 76 Trombones, Hakuna Mutata, Let the Sun Shine In, and Bear (Bare?) Necessities. Orion’s Belt/Finale from the Men In Black Sountrack is my guaranteed wakeup call smile from a film score, although “The Big Country” gets a LOT of well deserved air play on awards shows. And the second half of Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody #4 in D Minor”, the music for the piano duel between Daffy and Donald in Roger Rabbit, tops my classical happiest favorites, just ahead of the fourth movement to Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony, the Toreador’s Song from Carmen, and The Anvil Chorus from “Il Trovatore”, both Warner Brothers Cartoon Favorites.
[...] and sincerity. Just over a week ago, sports columnist Joe Posnanski decided he wanted to compile the 15 happiest songs ever. Songs that made him happy, regardless of whether or not they were objectively happy [...]
[...] was thinking of this song a few weeks back because Joe Posnanski solicited suggestions for “Happy Songs.” They didn’t have to be particularly happy, exactly, just songs that, for you, [...]