Simon and Garfunkel Ticket (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Susan Silver again brings us a fantabulously cheery post to mark our second installment in The Happy Friday Series. She shares the top five cheery songs to change your mood, and let’s see which ones she picks.
Susan Silver Says:
I have always been a pretty empathic kid, which means that I often internalize the emotions of the world around me. When the dark clouds start gathering, there is a friend who will always comfort me. I simply turn to the nearest internet radio and play my feel good playlist. These are my Top 6 in no particular order. You only need a hit of one of these to get you through the dreariest of days.
You Might Just be the One – The Monkees
I was initiated at a young age and this song has remained a favorite ever since.
I Love You More Today than Yesterday – Spiral Staircase
I can never get this song out of my head when I hear it on the radio, but the truth is I don’t want to.
Listen to the Music- Doobie Brothers
I started listening to a greatest hits album on Spotify and become hooked on their unique sound.
Commandante – Mountain Goats
This comes from John Darnielle’s Lofi period when he couldn’t afford to record in a studio.
Late in the Evening – Simon and Garfunkel
From the concert in Central Park, the album I grew up with.
Sure, these are not represented by many modern songs nor do they represent how diverse people’s tastes really are. I chose these songs because they have universal appeal. The positive energy drips from the musical notes and gives you a fine injection of positivity. The next time you are feeling rundown, close your eyes and drift away on a song.
What does your feel good playlist look like?
Susan Silver blogs at CirqueduMot and also 12Most.com. She is a copywriter and community manager. We enjoy having her post any time for this community!
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I turn to Owl City when I need some happy songs. Anything with a good dance beat can work. It gets me up and moving and makes me not obsess (as much) about whatever is bothering me.
@Erin F. What is Owl City? What type of music do they play?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing He would fall into the pop category, I guess. Fun beats and uplifting lyrics. I actually love more of his acoustic stuff, but those songs can sometimes be melancholy.
@Erin F. @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I’ve only heard one song by the guy. A few years ago he had one of the more popular songs on the radio, Fireflies.
@susansilver @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing That song isn’t one of my favorites. I actually would have passed up his music because of it. I only gave it a chance because another band I liked recommended him. 🙂
@Erin F. I’m merely a listener and enjoy tons of eclectic stuff. Sadly, I know the old stuff more than new and it always helped when I dated a guy really in to the tunes. Please write me a post, Erin…what makes you happy?
Shoot, Susan. The videos are not here! What happened? Thanks for posting today! I appreciate it so much.
I promise you, Susan. it was a gremlin that ate your frames. They were there when I put this in queue yesterday! Let’s hope they stay there now. Sorry! Thanks, Again.
Music is key for me. I have to have it and it is usually a mirror for my mood or inspires me in a certain way. Have you see my playlists on Spotify? They are unique to what I need or feel at that moment. “Power Through” is what I turn to in the last hour of the day to literally ‘power through’ on a project. “Makes me Smile” does just that. Feeling peppy? “Morning Pop” suits.
I. Love. Music.
Cheery songs? Here are a few from different playlists:
Walking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel
Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters
Take a Letter, Maria by R. B. Greaves
Can I Change My Mind, Tyrone Davis
Anything by Earth Wind & Fire and Beautiful Day by U2
🙂 Happy Friday!
@EricaAllison Love Spotify! I keep a massively long writing playlist on there. Just so I also have tunes no matter how long a session goes.
@EricaAllison I have not been able to master that darn Spotify. I don’t know what I’m doing up there so I just listen to whatever is on the radio. Dum-dum. (Erica, this is your official invite to write a quick quick Happy post for this series. I would be honored to have you here!)
Sam Cook makes me happy. Especially “What a Wonderful World It Would Be” and “Cupid” https://youtu.be/F48yOkcQWe0
Then there’s always Little Feat, “Dixie Chicken” with the trademark clever lyrics by the late great Lowell George:
https://youtu.be/OO3ZMdcL8Pc
But… I’ve probably spent more time getting my eardrums blown out by Tom Petty than anyone else. You might say he got into my head with “Make It Better”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnztiaAilWo
Of course, there’s nothing like being live at a Skip Castro Band show in Charlottesville, Va…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_5losr6dAk
Of course, there’s nothing like being at a live Skip Castro Band show in beautiful Charlottesville, Va.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_5losr6dAk
@barrettrossie Those are all good choices. I just got over a Tom Petty phase where I was listening to a live version of American Girl every day.
@barrettrossie I’m so impressed. Please write me a Happy post for this series, Barrett? This is your official invite. I would be so honored.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Oh gosh… that’ll be fun. Thanks J!
Oh, a few new songs for me here! I listen to a lot of Indian music and my playlist has a lot of them! 🙂
@Hajra Hajra, I already invited you on Twitter, but please do write me up something that makes you happy, will you? I would love your perspective. Great having you back in the stream! You were missed.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Oh I would love to! Though I have exams right now and so mixed up with everything that you have to give me some time! 🙁
@Hajra I will wait for you! Understood about the timing. Thanks for considering!
I love this idea! Music is so inspiring and uplifting…I wish I’d thought of this for blogging! Way to go and thanks!
@SandyAppleyard Girlie, this series can be about anything that makes you happy. You’re an author, are there books that delight you? Will you share them in a post for me and I’ll run it on a Friday? Please consider it; so happy to be seeing so much of you around the ‘webz! Thanks!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Thanks Jayme! I’ll certainly try to squeeze it in this week 🙂
@SandyAppleyard @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I would love to see what you have to write 🙂
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing It would be easier to just list my favourite authors…way too many books to list! I also looooove music! It keeps me going and lifts my mood guaranteed. This is a great idea for a blog post…..love it!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing 1. Walkin’ on Sunshine-Katrina and the Waves.
2. You Make my Dreams Come True-Hall & Oates.
3. Things Will Only Get Better-Howard Jones
4. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting-Elton John
5. Dancing Under a Latin Moon-Candy
Can you tell I’m a major ’80s fan??!!! 🙂
Happy Friday!
I was driving late one evening listening to BBC interview with Aung San Suu Kyi. She was selecting music she listened to during house arrest and that others sent her. Lo, Tom Jones The Green Green Grass of Home, played and took me waaaayyyy back to childhood when my folks played that over and over; or was it Gramma?
I thought of this post and how much music plays a role in our lives. As Betsy Cross would say, “What If…There Wasn’t Any Music?”
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Betsy Cross I would surely shrivel up and dieee!
Oh, and P.S. The whole point of this series if for ME NOT to have to write a post. I’m seeking, please, a writer for next week…will anyone take me up on that offer? I would be so terribly delighted. Thanks!
The Monkees! Yay! What memories. I love being taken back to my childhood with them. Now I listen endlessly to Spotify radio (James Morrison, Gavin Degraw, George Winston…anything really. If I go without music for too long, and then turn it on, I sya, why in the world did I stop listening!!!
@BetsyKCross I just remembered to turn on Spotify and hit Tina Turner; one of my absolute faves with so many happy memories! I love her. Thanks for letting me lure you over, Betsy!
@BetsyKCross I am grateful that we finally got Sptotify in the US. I was so jealous of my UK friends! I think they have the best selection, even though a lot of bands I love aren’t there yet. They have a surprising number of indie artists though. I guess it is easier to get their catalogs because they need the exposure.
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t worry be happy
Bare Naked Ladies – If I had a million dollars
Lee Ann Womak – I hope you dance
Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal
Bing Crosby – White Christmas
@SteelToad Love that list! I always remember “If I had a million dollars” from its use in one of my favorite Scrubs episodes. The Bare Naked Ladies are magical, even songs about heartbreak make you feel better by the end. Or at least that is how I feel after listening to “It’s all been done”.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing , I’m going to get radio geeky on you from my DJ days. Just give me a good Motown intro at the top of the hour and I’m good! My five:
1. This Old Heart of Mine (is weak for you)-Isley brothers
2. You Keep Me Hanging On-Supremes (doesn’t matter what the words are, that intro is powerful!)
3. I Heard it Through The Grapevine-Gladys Knight and the Pips. (Of course I love the iconic Marvin Gaye version, even CCR, but this version is just uptempo enough
4. Pretty Lady-Lighthouse (if it wasn’t for the Canadian Content requirements of the big station I grew up on, CKLW Windsor-Detroit I’d have never heard this. Had all the makings of a hit but didn’t crack the top 50)
5. Running Down A Dream-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I consider this the last great “get in the car, rev up the engine and drive” song (in the vein of “Born to Be Wild”.
@Brad_Lovett @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Running Down a Dream is my all time favorite Tom Petty song.
@Brad_Lovett What a great list, Brad. I think we have similar tastes! Thanks for sharing!