In these dark days of economic recession, wars and looming destruction of the earth if we're to believe those pesky Mayans (about eighteen days and counting now) it's nice to have those songs that can lift you out of yourself, make your smile, and brighten your day. Sometimes it's hard to know why this happens, why certain songs make us feel good, but often it's enough that they do. Here are some that always cheer me up.
There's something about this Hall and Oates song. I remember back when I used to work, getting into a taxi late for work and fretting about giving my excuse --- we all just hate walking in late, don't we? It's the worst way to start your day --- when this came on the radio. Somehow, it just cheered me right up and I said to myself, if I ever make a collection of happy songs this is gonna be on it! And here it is.
“Kiss on my list” --- Daryl Hall and John Oates, from the album “Voices”, 1980
A real summer song, I just love the energy and enthusiasm that's in this, from the first yelp from Katrina to the almost rockabilly fadeout ending, to say nothing of the guitar solo in the middle. And then there's the joyous brass. Yeah! Just makes ya feel good!
“Walking on sunshine” --- Katrina and the Waves, from the album “Katrina and the Waves”, 1985
I'm also fond of this late eighties hit from the Thin White Duke. Just something very up and catchy about it, and I think it rips along at a fine lick, comes across as very uplifting, to me at any rate.
“Modern love” --- David Bowie, from the album “Let's dance”, 1983.
Probably no coincidence that many of the songs that make me feel good come from the eighties, as that's when I was in my twenties and listening to music most. It remains my favourite decade, with the seventies a close second. Rap or hip-hop is something I don't tend to listen to really at all, but back then they had a more innocent vibe, with songs like DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and this one, from Whistle.
“(Nothin' serious) Just buggin'” --- Whistle, from the album “Whistle”, 1986
and finally, though I know little of his music, I always get a surge of happiness and optimism when I hear this one from Eddie Money. Yeah, it's from the eighties again: whaddya gonna do, huh? Hey! Waitaminnit! The
album was released in 1989, but the single didn't chart till 1990! How about that? Also, this song was only on his greatest hits album: how strange is that? Great song though.
“Peace in our time” --- Eddie Money, from the album “The sound of Money: Greatest Hits”, 1989