Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Life's a Happy Song

Image found here.
I've been talking to my therapist a lot about my feelings.

(SUCH a novel idea, I know!)

Anyway, we've been working through changing my thoughts and overall mindset in order to feel generally happier and better.

One of the ways I'm trying to do this is to listen to more upbeat, positive, happy music.

So I made a playlist on my iPod of some of my favorite happy songs.

Songs like:

"Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars," by Bon Jovi
"Friday I'm in Love," by The Cure
"Hey, Soul Sister," by Train
"Jump (For My Love)," by The Pointer Sisters
"Twist and Shout," by The Beatles
"Life's a Happy Song," from the Muppets Soundtrack
"Daydream Believer," by The Monkees
"Don't Rain on My Parade," from Funny Girl
"Tubthumping," by Chumbawamba
"The Shoop Shoop Song," by Cher

That's not a complete list, but you get the idea.

I have to say, I was a little bit skeptical. I've always pretty much listened to the music that matched my mood, rather than trying to match my mood to the music. But honestly, this new strategy has been working fairly well. 

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm suddenly happy now and in the best spirits ever. But the irritable grumpiness has noticeably faded. Which is a start.

The thing is, my playlist is WAY too short.

Which is where YOU come in. Because I gotta ask.

What are some of your happy songs? What should I add to my playlist? What songs and/or singers lift you up when you're feeling down? And, most importantly, are they available on iTunes?

Photobucket
You are awesome. And if you share this post, you'll be even awesomer!
Posted by Karen Peterson
This post is: 
at 7:58 AM
Labels:

45 comments:

  1. I usually go old-school country for a pick-me-up, which I know is not everyone's cup of tea! But when I listen to Dolly Parton or The Judds, it's just impossible for me to be in a bad mood. Particularly 9 to 5. That song might be the only reason I haven't stabbed anyone yet ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Wow, I haven't heard The Judds in YEARS! And 9 to 5 is definitely a good one!

      Delete

  2. My happy songs would probably scare you...

    ReplyDelete

  3. Music definitely plays an important role in mood and emotions. I talk a lot about that with the kids I work with. Which is why I listen to a lot of judgey songs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Judgey songs are great. I think that'll be my next playlist...

      Delete

  4. Music that makes me happy isn't always the one with the most rosy lyrics. It's the one that sounds better LOUD, makes me want to sing and dance, and just generally pumps me up. Here's my list

    "Little Bird" by Annie Lennox
    "Freedom 90" by George Michael
    "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai
    "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
    "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie
    "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + the machine
    "Anything Anything" by Dramarama (the lyrics are kind of angry, but it pumps me up)
    "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
    "Shook Me All Night" by ACDC
    "I Like Big Butts" by Sir Mix A Lot
    "Push It" by Salt n Pepa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. These bring back some memories! I can't believe I forgot about Marky Mark and Sir Mix a Lot!

      Delete

  5. I was just talking to my husband last night about how he and I seem to want different things from the music we listen to. He listens to a lot of mellow stuff, because it seems like he looks to music to help relax and soothe him. I do not use music that way. I use silence to relax and soothe me. Music is to get me moving! Most of the songs on my iPod are peppy songs. That and Christmas tunes. Also, remember that there's no shame in having some guilty pleasure songs if they make you happy. I listen to Moves Like Jagger all the time BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY.

    Here are some of my other go-to songs:

    "Junk of the Heart" by the Kooks
    "Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte
    "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel
    "Alright" by Supergrass
    "Marry You" by Bruno Mars
    "Hey Ya!" by OutKast
    "Tangerine Speedo" by Caviar
    "The Goonies R Good Enough" by Cyndi Lauper
    "When We Swam" by Thao
    "Waterloo" by Abba
    "Don't Feel Like Dancing" by Scissor Sisters
    "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne
    "Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I LOVE "Moves Like Jagger" for the very same reason.

      Great choices! I definitely need more ABBA in my life.

      Delete

  6. All Summer Long - Phoebe Kreutz
    Are You Gonna Be My Girl - JET
    Be My Escape - Relient k
    Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
    Brand New Day - Joshua Radin
    Closer to Free - BoDeans
    Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
    Dream Big - Ryan Shupe
    I Run For Life - Melissa Etheridge
    Kiss At the End of the Rainbow - Mighty Wind Soundtrack
    New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
    One Voice - The Wailin' Jennys
    Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
    Take a Chance on Me - ABBA (Erasure cover is good too)
    Today was a Fairytale - Taylor Swift
    When I'm With You - JJ Heller

    I bought almost all of these on iTunes. Or, I suppose I could be troubled with just making you a mixed cd. :)

    ReplyDelete

  7. My Worship playlist is always uplifting to me no matter how I'm feeling. And I have a list of pop-ish things I love like... LMFAO, Ke$ha, Avril Lavigne, etc. But truly- my contemporary Christian worship songs are what lifts me up when I"m sad or soothes me when I'm angry or just increases my joy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Worship songs are definitely good for boosting the mood AND the spirit!

      Delete

  8. Music is so awesome! It's definitely a motivator for me. Some of my happy songs...

    Down on the Corner - CCR
    Hippy, Hippy, Shake - Beatles
    Fantastic Voyage - Coolio
    Smooth - Rob Thomas
    Beat It - Fall Out Boy
    Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - The Andrews Sisters
    Most anything by Elvis...

    My musical tastes are all over the place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. These are some really fun choices! And I like how diverse they are.

      Delete

  9. I know nothing about iTunes, but I do know about happy songs. I'm a huge fan of soundtracks from movies that make you happy. Like Danger Zone and Playing with the Boys from Top Gun. Or some of the songs from Coyote Ugly (ok, so those aren't the best examples, but for some reason they're the first ones that popped into my head). It may sound silly, but the Fern Gully soundtrack rocks, too. Just think of movies that make you happy and you have an instant in to tons of happy songs.

    Jimmy Buffett is also an excellent font for happy songs. I recommend the albums Banana Wind, Barometer Soup, and Fruitcakes, but really all of them are awesome. And if you listen to Off to See the Lizard then read the book Tales from Margaritaville, it will give you lots of happy thoughts.

    I noticed you had one Cher song, so I recommend more. It's in His Kiss, and Dark Lady for starters.

    Oh, I could go on and on about this! I have always been an upbeat music sort of person. I don't like things that depress me. I'm shallow like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I LOVE soundtracks.

      And Jimmy Buffett. I haven't listened to him in ages, but you're so right. Definitely happy songs!

      Delete

  10. So many good songs! I love the old Motown 60s songs and anything by the beach boys for a quick pick-me-up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Motown is a great choice! And I love the Beach Boys. They used to be pretty much all my mom listened to when I was a kid.

      Delete

  11. "Bubble Toes" Colbie Callait, "Banana Pancakes" Jack Johnson, "Back in Black" AC/DC, a SUPER happy song called "Don't Falter" by Mint Royale, "But Not Tonight" Depeche Mode, "Friday I'm in Love," The Cure (strangely enough for a happy list, and that Fireflies song by Owl City. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I am totally going to check out all of these. Because I have learned NEVER to question your taste!

      Delete

  12. "Closer I Am to Fine" by the Indigo Girls
    "Beauty in the World" by Macy Gray

    I also like a lot of Glee's first season music--especially the mash up of Halo/Walking on Sunshine...

    Happy music, happy day, happy you! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I do like the first season of Glee. Good call.

      And I haven't heard the first two songs you mentioned, but I'm definitely going to check them out.

      Delete

  13. You're going to make me admit my Taylor Swift love, aren't you? Her more upbeat songs always put a smile on my face. And 60s pop is such fun! Also, "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble. I frequently have a solo dance party to that song. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I kind of love Taylor, too. :-)

      60s pop is awesome. I need more of that. And I LOVE Michael Bublé, but I don't think I know this song. Will absolutely look for it.

      Delete

  14. I'm a huge fan of happy music. I try to listen to happy music on my way home so I'm in a good mood when I get home (versus the bad mood I'm in if I listen to the news on the way home.) I'm not sure my songs technically qualify as "happy songs," but they sure make me happy.

    "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire
    "1985" by Bowling for Soup
    "Breathless" by The Corrs
    "For Boston" by Dropkick Murphys
    "Hold On" by Jet
    "Read My Mind" by The Killers
    "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield
    "Rainy Monday" by Shiny Toys Guns

    And almost anything 80s (Especially Karate Kid soundtrack. Who can't be happy listening to "You're the Best"?)

    I'm excited to look over all the suggestions everyone else made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. "1985"! I LOVE that song! These are some really great picks. I think I even have a couple of them on CD somewhere. I guess I should import them...

      And I'm with you. My mood is noticeably different if I listen to the news or talk radio on the way home. I like to be informed, but there comes a point where it's too much.

      Delete

  15. When my boyfriend dumped me my senior year of high school I listened to the album "Cheer Up" by Reel Big Fish for about a month straight. Basically any late 90s ska/pop-punk band should do the trick.... at least it always works for me.

    ReplyDelete

  16. LOVE numbers 1 and 7!!

    You need to get the Sons of Prove soundtrack! You cannot listen to it without giggling. Have you seen that movie?

    ReplyDelete

  17. Natasha Bedingfield is my happy song artist. Most of her music is very optimistic, the rest is emotional. Kelly Clarkson is my "girls kick butt" mood singer. That is all I can think of in this moment. Oh let's add punk music like Less Than Jake and AFI make me happy, especially Less Than Jakes album In With The Out Crowd. It is really upbeat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Natasha is pretty good at the happy songs, isn't she?

      And you are so right about Kelly Clarkson. I LOVE her newest single.

      As for Less Than Jake and AFI, thanks for the tips!

      Delete

  18. I don't have a happy playlist but maybe I need one now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I've decided EVERYONE needs a happy playlist!

      Delete

  19. Colbie Caillat, "Brighter Than the Sun"...I know it's a love song, but the music always makes me want to dance

    Newsboys, "Something Beautiful"

    Those are the first two that came to mind

    I wish I had my mp3 player with me so I could look through my songs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Ooh, that Colbie Caillat song is a good one! I'm not sure if I'm familiar with the Newsboys song, but I'll look for it. Thanks!

      Delete

  20. I'm having fun seeing everyones choices!

    I really like "BE OK" by Ingrid Michaelson. I feel like it always makes me feel a little happier.

    ReplyDelete

  21. Are you that goofball who hates Dave Matthews? If not, try Pig by DMB.

    ReplyDelete

  22. How about 'Happy Together' by The Turtles? Yeah, it's archaic, but a good happy song nevertheless.

    I had a Christian friend who once showed me in the Bible where Satan was and is in charge of music. If memory serves me correct, his evidence came from Ezekiel 28.

    I was skeptical, of course, however given the backtracking I have heard on the Internet.

    What is your opinion on that? I truly believe that music affects our individual moods.

    ReplyDelete

  23. I totally agree with this. I used to set my alarm to a song and would make sure it was a happy, upbeat one. It helped get me out of bed and set a good tone for the day. My happy music is ‘80s pop: George Michael/Wham!, Hall & Oates, Journey, Chicago, Prince, The Cars, Abba, Queen etc. You just can’t be mad grooving to that awesomeness. Britney Spears always does it for me too :)

    ReplyDelete

  24. Did no one mention Bobby Mcferrin? Don't Worry, Be Happy is my best happy song ever.

    Charlie Daniels Band- Devil Went Down to Georgia
    Pink - Get the Party Started
    U+UR Hand
    Leave me alone, I'm Lonely
    So What
    Trouble
    Lady Marmalade
    Bad Influence
    F***** Perfect
    Raise Your Glass
    Stupid Girls
    (Yes, I like Pink)
    Men in Hats - Safety Dance


    There are otherss, but my iPod is being contrary right now.

    ReplyDelete

  25. I just love love love Daydream Believer. Fat Bottom Girls and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen are two of my faves. I also love Jet's Are You Gonna Be My Girl.

    ReplyDelete

  26. Try "Hikky Burr". It's by Bill Cosby and Quincy Jones

    ReplyDelete

  27. Oy! I'm so far behind on your posts.... ok, music is kinda my thing.... let me see what I can come up with...

    RENT soundtrack...that's always inspiring "no day but today..."
    Kip Moore - he's country but there's just something about a truck. mmm hhmmmm.
    Sister Hazel, Amos Lee, Joshua Radin....
    Pitbull is a good choice for up beat energy...
    Um,
    Ohhh, I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

    Hold on - Wilson Phillips...

    Actually I have a cd mix I made a while back called the feel goodness... if I find it, I'll send it to you.

    ReplyDelete

"You know what they say. If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me."

~Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)