[CactusFlower]

Hey all, Bee inspired me!

Let's each list 5 songs that make us smile for whatever reason when we hear them. Maybe we can then make playlists to cheer ourselves up, possibly.

Please include what each song is about so someone can avoid something if it's not what they would like.  Here, I have an example.

"Big Girls" by Mika - body positive song about appreciating plus size women, sung by a skinny young cute guy. Has lovely plus size women in corsets dancing in the streets.

"Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake - from the animated movie "Trolls". never saw it, but it's basically a lot of random everyday folks dancing in their homes and workplaces and all, and a little of him as well. Song is all about happy feelings and dancing.

"Roar" by Katy Perry - about getting out of a bad relationship with lots of gaslighting and verbal abuse (nothing specific in song), finding your own power and embracing it.  Silly video of surviving in a jungle after a plane crash, wild animals, and, uh... flower and leaf bikinis. LOL

"Happy" by Pharrell - repetitive song about feeling happy and deciding to be happy. Video is lots of famous people doing silly dances and walks, along with other random people. NOTE: Wierd Al Yankovic has a parody version called "Tacky" and got a lot of famous people to help him too. If you thought 80's neon print clothes were ugly, this will make you laugh.

I actually couldn't decide for my 5th one. It's not so much that they're happy in theme or lyrics, but that they all have good memories. I suppose I could choose "For Good" from the musical "Wicked". We sang that in chorus. It's between Elphaba and Glinda and basically talks about how even though they didn't always get along or do well (lots of metaphorical imagery in song), just knowing each other was life-changing.

So... What are your choices?

[rainydiary]

Love it, my songs are:

1. Can’t Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake - such a fun and catchy song. Most students I work with love this song too - it may speak to our inner children. 

2. Any song from Grease - I loved the movie growing up and the songs stay with me

3. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley - it always brings me up

4. Wide Open Spaces - The Chicks - living in the American West, I love the big skies as it feels like possibility

5. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman - this song is by no means upbeat but I feel empowered at the end of it 

[Bach]

#1 song that always makes me smile: "The Camera Eye" by Rush, because it's spirited and energetic and the lyrics paint a picture of two cities that have been significant in my life. Plus, it evokes fun memories with good friends and road-trip adventures.

#2: "Beginnings" by Chicago. It has the bright sound of a sunny day and speaks the experience of being in love and happy and not knowing what to say. "I wish I could sing it to you..." 

#3:"I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. Because I won't, and because Tom was a brother in trauma who turned pain into beauty.

#4: "The Mayor Of Simpleton" by XTC. The sweetest and cleverest love song ever.

#5: "Girls Talk" by Dave Edmunds. Just because I can't resist that sweet sweet acoustic guitar pop rock candy sound.

Honorable mention: "Evenfall" by Michael Penn, for the same reason as "Girls Talk" and also because there's a wry personal significance for me in its ambivalent lyrics.

[woodsgnome]

So many songs ... but narrowed down, I guess I'd label these among my favourites. My favourite music genre is folk/acoustic as reflected in these selections. They're all available on YouTube.

1. Across the Great Divide ... written and first performed by Kate Wolf, later done by Nanci Griffith (the latter won a grammy). The lyrics speak of leaving the past behind and flying 'across the great divide. Kate Wolf version:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Kn3j7o2yY&ab_channel=Anarquista3517257

2. next up is "From a Distance"; written by Julie Gold, performed here by Nanci Griffith. The tune is lovely and the lyrics speak directly to our hopes for peace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBBi1dk-_HQ&ab_channel=DonGiller

3. "The Wandering Soul", by John Denver -- unreleased during his lifetime, this version was sung at a 1990's Windstar Foundation gathering. I have a hard time with adapting to the idea of love, but I think these words, and music, speak to those aspirations in a powerful way ... and also a sort of nostalgic "if only". The song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ch63Bn3NyM&ab_channel=JohnDenver-HealingTimeOnEarth

4. "You Can Relax Now" by Shaina Noll. This tender song to one's inner child brings a smile, yes; but usually accompained by some tears too, for its tenderness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-mfPQIEaUA&ab_channel=ShainaNoll

5. "Be Like The Sea" written and sung by Cathie Ryan. About finding peace and leaving the worst behind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl4BZDt34b4&ab_channel=gcbfolk

6. My 'bonus' track, so to speak. This one is by Maddy Prior (Cathie Ryan also has a version). It speaks to those dreams of what might be just ahead. I view this not as a search for a person, thing, or place; but for finally finding one's Higher Self.  The song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIhC3Ury_M&ab_channel=MaddyPrior-Topic

As mentioned, there's also another version by Cathie Ryan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy9IcXUdJPA&ab_channel=lmfineart

I'd have to call those my starters, as I have hundreds of "favourites" I call on when I have a yen for listening.