Just because I need some external happiness injections today.* And also because Darren is hosting a “5 Things” Group Writing Project.
Have a bouncy happy Thursday!
- #5. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club Ok, so if you really pay attention to the lyrics of this song, it’s not really a happy song. It’s all about a breakup and feeling like you’ve been deceived. But the serious emotion is masked behind a snappy upbeat sing along chorus and blazing harmonica solo. And there’s nothing like singing about a crushing heartache with a smile on your face and a skip in your step.
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- #4. All for You by Sister Hazel Another not quite happy song, this one is at least hopeful. The lyrics convey the uncertainty of a couple staying together forever, but declare that the singer is doing everything he can to make it happen. I can’t help but sing along, and often I find that I have to listen to the song twice just so I can sing along with both harmony parts. Sister Hazel is one of my favorite bands and outside of this song, most people don’t know anything about them. That’s a shame.
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- #3. Dancing Queen by ABBA A song about being a sweet and young cocktease out for a night on the town surrounded by hot sweaty bodies, flashing lights and thumping music. What’s not to love? Also it reminds me of the Movie Moment on Interstate 24 in Tennessee. You can dance! You can jive! You’re having the time of your life!
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- #2. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! Hey baby, let’s not fight… we’ll go dancing and everything will be all right! Day-Glo shorts, white gloves, and CHOOSE LIFE tee shirts notwithstanding, this song is almost the perfect pop song. Walk up to someone who is having a bad day, look them in the eye and say, “Jitterbug” and I guarantee that you will get a broad smile from them. Even if you are a dark and gloomy Depeche Mode and The Cure fanatic, you can’t deny the bright light of George Michael breaking your misery for three minutes and fifty-one seconds.**
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- #1. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves Can. Not. Sit. Still. This song causes an instant physical reaction. My feet won’t stop moving. My big ass bounces back and forth. My hands fly up in the air along with the horn stabs. I feel transported back to particularly good summer days as a pre-teen hanging out with my friends in the clubhouse and having absolutely no worries. This song can be considered the genesis of ska-like bands that came after them like Save Ferris and No Doubt. They all owe a debt to Katrina and the Waves and this exuberant song about having your love returned and confirmed.
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So what songs make YOU insanely happy?
* Get your mind out of the gutter. Not that kind of happiness injection!
** Othurme told me a joke about this song: “I don’t understand how people didn’t know that George Michael was gay when Wake Me Up Before You Go Go came out. I mean, it’s right there in the lyrics, “You put your ball sack in to my mouth…”
that stupid song that starts “i’ve got a little change in my pocket goin jing a ling a ling” always cracks me up. never fails.
and “taking care of business” will always have me singing at the top of my lungs.
but i think those 2 songs make me so happy because of special moments in my life that involved them. the people and events that coincided with the music playing make for smiles every time.
which reminds me…akon’s “smack that” might be on the list, but that is another story…
The Hustle gets me every time!
Dancing Queen? ABBA? Seriously? And Wham, too!?
Oh Jester, sweetie, that’s too much of a cliche to even touch.
Jokes are all about timing. You have to do the jitterbug parts with the snaps before the first line for it to be funny.
And I want to be sure that David Spade gets all the credit for the joke.
But once you’ve heard the joke and the song comes on, you start singing along and there is no way to stop “You put your ball sack into my mouth” from coming out.
“Take Your Time” – The SOS Band
“Press” – Paul McCartney
“Burning Up” – Kyle Minogue
“Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille
“Sing Me Spanish Techno” – The New Pornographers
“Point Of No Return” – Nu Shooz
…and those are just off the top of my head because I’ve heard them all recently.
Dear Narf:
I told our friend Jester that I wanted you to contact me! Yes, I think you and I can have a good time kicking it. You sound like you’re one hot and fine babe. Let’s talk!
Stan your Man!
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hello – That’s “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” by the Georgia Satellites. That song and “Taking Care of Business” are so far down my list of songs they don’t even register. We have very different taste in music!
Craig – I think we need to see video of you dancing to the Hustle.
Miss Britt – The thing is, I could have made this list when I was 14 and those songs would have made the cut… and I didn’t know that there was a gay stereotype about ABBA or Wham. Funny.
Othurme – A joke that requires sound effects doesn’t do real well in a written forum.
Howard – You should really get that Captain and Tennille obsession checked out.
Stanley – Give it up. She is WAY out of your league.
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“Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M. and “So Happy Together” by The Turtles are two of the songs which feature heavily, along with many of yours, in my “Happy Music” iTunes Playlist. The latter because I think of Florence Henderson performing it with the Muppets, and Muppets = Happy (See also: Anything from Fraggle Rock). The prior is because I know that Michael Stipe HATES the song, and I love it, so me playing it is pissing him off…and I find that oddly inspiring.
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like i said, those songs make me happy because of certain events that directly involved the songs, not because the songs themselves are insanely happy.
with that being said, “the rain, the park and other things” by the cowsills gets me up EVERY time i hear it. can’t help myself. gotta love a song that screams “happy, happy, happy!”
xoxo
Man, TOTALLY agree with your choices, EXCELLENT music for a Friday!
I’m listening to all right now!!!
best
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I love this idea for a top 5 list. Glad I found it. As for my fav songs…
I’m sure more will come to me later, but the only one I can think of right now is song from Harold and Maude.
One More: dancing queen makes me wanna jump out of my office chair and dance dance dance!
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Those songs make me so happy too! I feel good just reading about them. And I’d add “Love Train” — that song makes me want to dance with joy.
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Oooohh!!! I love all of them!
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Heck yes, Dancing Queen!
Myles – Welcome! I have a secret love of all things “muppet.” I have an album of muppet duets that makes me laugh every time I even think of it. What did Michael Stipe ever do to you?
Hello – Oh I get that there were cool events tied to those songs. I still don’t like them! I haven’t thought of the Cowsills in forever. Where’s my soundtrack to Hair?
Paula – Welcome! Glad I could inject some happy into your day, especially Dancing Queen!
Mary – Welcome to you as well! Love Train is a great song, too! That’s the OJay’s right?
Dutchy – We totally have to go out dancing when we meet!
Thanks to everyone who has linked back to this article from the Writing Project! I’m enjoying everyone’s list and I’ll be adding a lot of you to my feed reader and blogroll!
Never teh Bride – Welcome! Nothing like some ABBA to get your weekend jump started, huh?
Oh my gosh, I love Karma Chameleon, Dancing Queen, and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go! I haven’t heard those songs in such a long time; this post definitely put a smile on my face.
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Chelich – You have great taste!
Welcome… hope to see you around again!
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