5 Songs that Make You Smile

[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. 








 

[Ghost]

Fun!
These are my favorites for right now.

Lava (Youtube) : My husband plays this for me

Wonders (Youtube) : (*tw uses the word bl**d) It reminds me that I have always gotten up and tried again and faced everything with hope and love and in my heart I want adventure

6 Underground (Youtube) : it makes me feel like I'm floating away to the '90s

Humbling River (Youtube) : beautiful and helps me feel like it's ok to ask for help

Feeling Good (Youtube) : it feels good to sing it

[Goosey]

Oh, this sounds fun. I love music a lot.

1) My Attitude — Bratz
I had the Rock Angelz CD growing up and honestly? Bratz songs are genuinely good. This song makes me feel like a confident princess-diva who deserves to take up space with no apology. It's basically a girl power anthem.

2) The Best Day Ever — SpongeBob SquarePants
Loved this movie as a kid. I still sometimes listen to this song when I want to listen to something unapologetically and childishly happy. This is just a song of SpongeBob singing about how it's... well, you know, the best day ever.

3) Metalingus — Alter Bridge
Absolute power anthem. Does remind me of trauma, a bit, lyrics are both sombre but optimistic in a way. Seems to be about waking up from a bad situation and deciding to move on, fight for yourself, that sort of thing. This is also a loud and heavy song, for those who don't like that. Also, this is Edge's entrance theme, and I love WWE.

4) I Said Meow — Azazal & Said
Fun, peppy electronic song that kinda sounds like what cotton candy and pop rocks taste like. At least to me. Weird explanation I know, but I have no other idea how to describe it LOL. This song has no lyrics, as far as I can recall. Other than little "meow!" sounds.

5) Collector — Photon Maiden
Putting this one here since it's currently the song I'm listening to the most and I keep coming back to it. Something about the melody in the chorus is so nice. It makes me feel nostalgic even though it is extremely recent, I'm not sure why. This is sort of a playful love song of sorts where the singer talks about wanting the subject "in her collection" and continues that metaphor for the duration of the song. At some points it may come off a bit patronizing or objectifying, just a warning for anybody, but I don't think it's malicious. Just kind of cheeky.

[Ghost]

4) I Said Meow — Azazal & Said
Fun, peppy electronic song that kinda sounds like what cotton candy and pop rocks taste like. At least to me. Weird explanation I know, but I have no other idea how to describe it LOL. This song has no lyrics, as far as I can recall. Other than little "meow!" sounds.

That is totally cotton candy pop rocks!

[Bermuda]

Thanks for this. When I do listen to music it tends to be quite somber, and even my happy music has quite somber undertones, but when I feel great resolve this song pops up in my mind:

Fyfe Dangerfield - High On The Tide ...I'm pretty sure that song is about my life...

Emiliana Torrini - Big Jumps ...My internal pep talk song

Feist - Tout Doucement ...Also a pep talk song.

[PaperDoll]

Bermuda, I hadn't heard that Fyfe Dangerfield song before. I looked it up to listen to it and I really like it. I am a fan of his band Guillemots.

[Bermuda]

PaperDoll: I've never really listened to the Guillemots but that particular song just has the right amount of desperate abandon that has been a positive motivator in my life. I'd rather the salt in the air come from the sea, so I chose that at all costs, and here I am still alive as an act of spite, free-will, and civil disobedience. Sometimes I just have the urge to sing it to the gulls, "I really and truly don't care!!!!"

[NarcKiddo]

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" BUT the version by Toots and the Maytals. The original does nothing for me, but Toots's reggae version is inspired and for me is a really feel-good song.

"Heaven in a Wheelbarrow" by the Dead South. Super Bluegrass. Rather rude but makes me laugh every time I hear it.

"Oranges and Lemons Again" by Jools Holland and Suggs. About the late, great Ian Dury.

"Billericay Dickie" by the late, great Ian Dury.

And for a bonus number "Ca Plane Pour Moi" by Plastic Bertrand, because I cannot resist a bit of cheesy Europop.

"Lip Up Fatty" by Bad Manners. Makes me want to dance.

[Bach]

...the late, great Ian Dury.

"Hit me with your rhythm stick! S'nice to be a lunatic..." 

[sanmagic7]

This is fascinating to me, especially how many of these artists i'm not at all familiar w/.  Thanks for starting this. 

i have to begin with Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and the Stones - anytime i hear anything from any of them brings me back to the beginning of personal freedom from the repression under which i was raised, the start of my independent thinking, and awareness , and the drive to protest against the norms when i saw something amiss.  any of their songs bring a smile to my face for understanding more of the world not only in which i lived, but empowerment to advocate for myself and others as needed. a true awakening of my spirit that emboldened me to be who i am. 

'End of the Line' Traveling Wilbury's.  it touches on so many subjects about being ok with yourself, others, and life. almost my daily mantra to keep me moving forward no matter what.

'You'll Think of Me' - Keith Urban.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk1nw4Uoxig  this live version is the best breakup song ever, to my mind, and so great to listen to when i need to get some anger out at past relationships. definitely a catalyst to emotions.

anything by Queen.  always makes me want to sing and dance, whether on my feet or in a chair. 

[Lonewolf86]

Here's some songs that have helped me along the way:

Who the Cap Fits - Bob Marley https://youtu.be/wE4TpnYIsW4?si=D32t9yey0iEQKkgI
House of Pain - Faster Pussycat https://youtu.be/6I0dJUkkIHM?si=RvvFemueMeyupPq8
Lightning - REO Speedwagon https://youtu.be/IWkgdz4mwxw?si=aBC9HMH80FYJF9mt
Pushin On - REO Speedwagon https://youtu.be/bCFkSAqqMLs?si=JRsnAeULmZYRkH85
Time for Me to Fly - Reo Speedwagon https://youtu.be/54OtWleMQeQ?si=McTrbypc1xFhJweh


Yeah I like REO Speedwagon a lot.  There's a lot of other songs too.  Music is my goto healing modality.  I've always loved music. My dad told me the last time I saw him "I hate music" so I've been doubling down on my music lately.

Also - I have been way into hip hop lately since i can relate to a lot of that music too.

[geckoskittlezx7900338]

Good Morning, Captain by Slint
October All Over by Unwound
Castles In The Sky by Ian van Dahl
god bless eric taylor by marietta
Oblivion by Grimes