Charles said he could not listen to a sad song the other day. I realized something then. I don't always listen carefully to the lyrics of songs. I go more for the sound of it rather than its narrative.
Anyway, what is your favorite happy song? Charles and I want to know.
( The one above comes from the time Phil and I were getting together. I wonder if that has an influence on what makes you happy._
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves. I always feel happy when I hear it. And, of course, Pharrell Williams's "Happy"--but that's almost a parody of itself by now.
I actually have several 'Happy' songs I listen to, Patti. One that first came to mind when I read your post was Bob Marley's One Love (People Get Ready), but there are lots of others.
Definitely. We started dating New Years Eve 1966/67, and when "Happy Together" came out in the Spring it was our song. I still like it a lot. On more recent (not modern, because I don't listen to "modern" music - and keep off my lawn!) music I'm with Deb: "Walking on Sunshine" has it all, a bouncy rhythm and all around fun feel.
Love that song. I heard an interview with her on FRESH AIR and her speaking voice is very different. She sang several songs and I liked them all. Might have to get a CD.
Either from listening to BBC 6 Music online or one of the library's Pages.
I used to listen to 6 Music every night after work. They play an hour long music documentary every weekday at 9PM or 10PM my time. I still listen to the channel at work but will do so in fits and starts.
I'm always surprised by new bands and musicians. Anyone who says today's music is moribund needs to widen their search.
I Want You Back - Jackson 5 Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield Victoria - The Kinks All I Need Is Your Sweet Lovin' - Gloria Gaynor Here Comes The Summer - The Undertones Mendocino - Sir Douglas Quintet
Also these less known items... Hold On - The Radiants She Does Everything For Me - Robbie Peters
From Denmark - Gasolin' (yes, apostrophe). This was recorded in Malmö, Sweeden, on their farewerll tour. The resulting album was totally everywhere in 1978/79. The song itself had once been a ballad, but it's this uptempo version that counts. To borrow a phrase, it has the inevitabilty of a masterpiece. It virtually sings itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY0g_SJjA6Q
Next stop Finland and something completely different. Hurriganes (sic) made all other music seem pretentious. This still makes want to jump up and down and behave like an idiot - and I'm 52.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1pPwnah_eM
And on to Sweden. No, not Abba. The line "having the time of your life" from "Dancing Queen" implies that it's downhill from here, kiddo. That's not a happy song. However, Sven-Åke Högberg - using his alias Hank C. Burnette - recorded this in his parents' garage and it eventually sold 8 million copies worldwide. Really. Check the youtube comments, the guy himself has added a ton of info. 40-something years later, this instrumental still makes me grin from ear to ear. I could probably listen to this 20 times in a row and still be grinning.
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves. I always feel happy when I hear it. And, of course, Pharrell Williams's "Happy"--but that's almost a parody of itself by now.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete"The News" by Carbon/Silicon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbu4Of75CAw
-Kieran
New to me, Kieran. I will play it once Phil leaves the house.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI actually have several 'Happy' songs I listen to, Patti. One that first came to mind when I read your post was Bob Marley's One Love (People Get Ready), but there are lots of others.
ReplyDeleteWay too many to name all of them. I like "Happy Together" a lot. Lately "Hello, Mary Lou" has been running through my head.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. We started dating New Years Eve 1966/67, and when "Happy Together" came out in the Spring it was our song. I still like it a lot. On more recent (not modern, because I don't listen to "modern" music - and keep off my lawn!) music I'm with Deb: "Walking on Sunshine" has it all, a bouncy rhythm and all around fun feel.
ReplyDeleteJeff M.
Currently I like the song they are using as the theme on Season 2 of THE LEFTOVERS: "Let the Mystery Be" by Iris DeMent.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Love that song. I heard an interview with her on FRESH AIR and her speaking voice is very different. She sang several songs and I liked them all. Might have to get a CD.
ReplyDeleteWALKIN' ON SUNSHINE by Katrina and The Waves.
ReplyDeleteParadise city and Sweet child o mine by Guns n Roses.
ReplyDeleteThe first one I thought of was "Happy Talk" by Nancy Wilson and the Cannonball Adderley Quintet.
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry folks, but I find "Walking on Sunshine" just annoying.
Jackie wants to put in a vote for "A Wonderful Dream" by The Majors, a one hit wonder group from 1962. Also, "Under the Moon of Love" by Curtis Lee.
ReplyDeleteJeff M.
For me, add "Even the Bad Times Are Good" by The Tremeloes.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Took me a while to find one. I'M A CUCKOO by Belle and Sebastian.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/NwDLpFqyxz8
Wow, Gerard. How did you come across that one?
ReplyDeleteEither from listening to BBC 6 Music online or one of the library's Pages.
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to 6 Music every night after work. They play an hour long music documentary every weekday at 9PM or 10PM my time. I still listen to the channel at work but will do so in fits and starts.
I'm always surprised by new bands and musicians. Anyone who says today's music is moribund needs to widen their search.
Sam Cooke's Good Times has been one of my favorite songs for about 30 years.
ReplyDeleteTruckin' (just typing the title brought it to life--now it's an ear worm)
ReplyDeleteWay Down in the Hole (you wouldn't think so from the title, would you, but it was the theme for The Wire. makes my toes start to boogie)
After some more thought...
ReplyDeleteI Want You Back - Jackson 5
Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
Victoria - The Kinks
All I Need Is Your Sweet Lovin' - Gloria Gaynor
Here Comes The Summer - The Undertones
Mendocino - Sir Douglas Quintet
Also these less known items...
Hold On - The Radiants
She Does Everything For Me - Robbie Peters
So many songs I don't know here. The demise of good radio has caught me short.
ReplyDeleteMay I also offer some Scandinavian treats?
ReplyDeleteFrom Denmark - Gasolin' (yes, apostrophe). This was recorded in Malmö, Sweeden, on their farewerll tour. The resulting album was totally everywhere in 1978/79. The song itself had once been a ballad, but it's this uptempo version that counts. To borrow a phrase, it has the inevitabilty of a masterpiece. It virtually sings itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY0g_SJjA6Q
Next stop Finland and something completely different. Hurriganes (sic) made all other music seem pretentious. This still makes want to jump up and down and behave like an idiot - and I'm 52.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1pPwnah_eM
And on to Sweden. No, not Abba. The line "having the time of your life" from "Dancing Queen" implies that it's downhill from here, kiddo. That's not a happy song. However, Sven-Åke Högberg - using his alias Hank C. Burnette - recorded this in his parents' garage and it eventually sold 8 million copies worldwide. Really. Check the youtube comments, the guy himself has added a ton of info. 40-something years later, this instrumental still makes me grin from ear to ear. I could probably listen to this 20 times in a row and still be grinning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8FfzZvqjAM
Thanks, Anders. Great stuff. I must admit my favorite was the Finnish "Get On."
ReplyDeleteJeff M.
I saw this group live once! Such a fun concert
ReplyDeleteOff the top of my head:
ReplyDeleteSimon Smith & His Amazing Dancing Bear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8zI5xjwKYw
Waltzing with Bears
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbv7Lfnu5OU
Wnderful World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3yCcXgbKrE
(I threw in the third one because I was afraid I was starting a "bea"r theme.)
How about THE TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC.
ReplyDelete