Click on the photo to hear Happy!
If you only know me from my blog posts you might think I’m a very serious person who thinks way too much. Actually, I am one of the most upbeat, optimistic and happy people I know. While I do enjoy digging deep into subjects that catch my interest, I also love to laugh, dance and have fun as much as possible. Some of the best ways to do that is to listen to uplifting and happy music. With that in mind, I went through my itunes playlist and came up with fifteen songs that I believe make it impossible not to want to smile and offer the potential to lift your spirit this summer.
Of course before I get into the music, I want to remind you of the post I wrote last summer about the vibration of music and how it affects both our mood and our health. You can read the entire post HERE, but what’s most important to remember is that the music you listen to has the ability to change the very chemicals within your cells. So ask yourself: are the cells of my body happy or depressed? For anyone who is concerned about living a happy and SMART Life, I suggest we all pay attention to the music we listen to, and monitor how it makes us feel.
With that in mind, I suggest you either watch the videos I’m linking below or plug them into itunes music for a preview. Then plan on getting happier:
- Happy—Pharrell Williams. It should be no surprise to anyone that this song is at the top of my list. The first time I heard it I swooned—seriously! I love it so much that I have it as my ringtone on my iphone AND I made the attached video (see photo above) on jibjab as soon as they started offering it. I dare you to watch the video and not crack a smile. Better yet, get up and dance! (Click on photo above for link.)
- Walking on Sunshine—Katrina & The Waves. Until the Happy song listed above came along, this was one of my longtime favorites. While the words aren’t “rocket science” they are catchy enough to get your feet tapping. Link to video
- Love Shack— The B-52s. This song is one of those that roll around in your head and makes you want to get behind the wheel of a car and just drive. Thom’s not crazy about it but I know every word and sing it (loudly) any time it plays. Tin-roof-rusted! Link
- I Gotta Feeling—The Black Eyed Peas. This song has some goofy words to it, but I love it anyway—after all it’s all about the “feeling” anyway. You might want to ignore the line, “I got my money, Let’s spend it up” for obvious reasons. Link
- Best Day Of My Life—American Authors. This is one of my new favorites and it reminds me that today is the best day of my life. I dare you to listen to it and not want to get up and MOVE! Link
- Summer Lovers—Michael Sembelo. Thom and I saw the movie Summer Lovers back in the 80s and this song and the movie appealed to our young and adventurous spirit. Still llove the song and still have a young and adventurous spirit. Link
- I’m Alive—Michael Franti & Spearhead. This is a relatively new song by a favorite artist who makes happy music on a regular basis. Thom and I have seen Michael in concert and he’s fabulous. Link
- Smile—Uncle Kracker. While this song isn’t as upbeat as the others it offers a gentle way to remember the good in your life. And it always makes me smile. Link
- True To Myself—Ziggy Marley. Here is my regge selection for staying happy and true to myself. Link
- The Lazy Song—Bruno Mars. This song is a tribute to summer and slowing down. If you have a serious case of busy going on, then I suggest you learn the lyrics to this song and sing it to yourself over and over again. Link
- Beauty In The World—Macy Gray. This is the only song listed here that I put on my post from last year as a favorite. But it makes me happy and it makes me sing and dance so it will likely do that for you too. Link
- Don’t Worry About A Thing—SHeDaisy. For all you country fans out there this is a positive country song that will make you want to sing along with a twang! Link
- Roar—Katy Perry. I discovered this song last year when researching videos to inspire the high school girls that I mentor through The Ophelia Project here in my community. The thing is, it inspires me too! Link
- The Good Life—One Repubic. I first heard this song on the sound track for the movie version of Eat-Pray-Love and had to have it. Not only does it remind me of how much I love to travel, it is a GREAT reminder in my life that “there is nothing to complain about!” Link
- Unwritten—Natasha Bedingfield. This one is for us writers. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page this is inspiration. Be yourself. “No one else can speak the words on your list.” Link
Bonus Song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World—Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. I can’t imagine any list of happy songs that doesn’t include this amazing selection by this amazing artist. Listen and get happy. Link
While there is certainly enough in this world to be serious about on a regular basis, most of the time it doesn’t do the situation any good at all to focus on worry and pain. In fact, there is a huge line of metaphysical teaching that suggests that feelings of anxiety and fear only add to the creation of just that—if not on the global scale then certainly in our personal lives. While we should never ignore action we are called to do, if we get caught in the grips of fear or worry it might be SMART to turn on the music, clear our head, and dance.
Question: Okay, what is your happy song? Please share it in the comments below.
No-6-Summer Lovers—Michael Sembelo is just awesome for always! It is a superb selection, Kathy. By the way, Do you have any plan to make a sad song list in the near future? Please let me know. I have bookmarked your site for further update. Thank you and have a good day dear! 🙂
Hi Lazar! Glad you liked this post. But no, making a list of “sad songs” would not be SMART! ~Kathy
Too cute, Kathy!! You put a great list together
Thanks for joining the first #funsummerfinds linkup!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Hi Shellie! Welcome to SMART Living and I’m glad you like my list. They definitely put me in a happy summer mood! And thanks for #funsummerfinds linkup! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
That’s a really interesting and awesome collection of great songs. Among your top 15 songs, Summer Lovers and Roar are my favorite. Especially when I watch the music videos of these two songs, I reminds me of my old days.
Nice list of happy songs to make others happy. I want to say i like the title of your blog very musch.
From your list Lazy Song and Roar are my favorite songs. You put all the songs in the list with links and that’s a great help to go directly to that particular song.
Hi Kathy, I just happen to stumble on your website. I love these songs. Very entertaining! Thanks for sharing
Hi Adrian! Thanks for stumbling by SMART Living. Glad you liked my songs! ~Kathy
Oooh, thanks for these, so many I hadn’t heard before and really like! And while I liked the tune to “Blurred Lines,” I *loathed* the lyrics – am delighted with the Weird Al parody, Word Crimes, if you haven’t seen it, you must watch.
Hi Beverly! Hahahaha! I’d never seen that before so thanks for sharing…for anyone else who writes and wants a laugh here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc
Of course I sincerely hope he wasn’t singing about me!!!! 🙂 ~Kathy
My Anthems playlist includes Paul Simon’s Kodachrome, Melanie’s Brand New Key (love that one!!), and definitely some Michael Franti, Say Hey!
Hi Laura! Yes Kodachrome and Brand New Key are happy and uplifting songs for sure. And DEFINITELY “Say Hey!” I really had a difficult time choosing between that one and his “I’m Alive” but picked “I’m Alive” cuz it makes me want to dance when I hear it! Thanks for your ideas! ~Kathy
I think my taste in music stopped somewhere in the early 7o’s!! I’ll have to look some of these up. Thanks for the titles, Kathy! Great job.
Hi Cathy! YES! I am partial to some of the 70s music but there are some current great ones out there as well…check out the Youtube version and I promise you will get happy! ~Kathy
Good supportive stuff.
Beyond a ‘perfect–pick-me-up’, Music can serve us in other positive ways as well:
It Can Help Us 2 -*->
-Pick^Up- ->Gather-In<-
Thanks for offering this -*- Keep the Music Alive …
Hi Jay! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living and sharing your thoughts–and your *happy*! Yes to keeping the music alive! ~Kathy
My good energy songs are anything from the 80s. Like You Spin Me Round. That always gets me going!
Hi Jodi! I remember that song! Yes, there are hundreds of songs out there and one’s that bring back special memories are ALWAYS good. Thanks for sharing a favorite! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy Gottberg,
Once again you came up with a great post. 🙂
Really its so entertaining blog especially for me.I use to watch all these songs on you tube and feel so happy.
Thanks for sharing…..
hire real estate VA
Hi Daniel! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living. I’m glad you liked my songs and that they made you happy! Mission accomplished! ~Kathy
Kathy,
What a great list of songs! Of course I have Happy. Many of the others are ones I’ve loved, too. I’ll go and listen to the ones I don’t know. In fact I think I’ll make this into a playlist. What a great post. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hey Betsy! Thanks for stopping by SMART living and sharing your thoughts. I’m glad you liked the songs and am happy that you found them as inspiring as I do. Are there any that you’d like to add? I’m ALWAYS looking for new songs to add. ~Kathy
I love these songs. Reading the titles makes me want to dance sing and smile!
Yay music! “Happy” there is nothing like banging out that boogaloo groove on the piano and 70 high schoolers belting this song out as they dance their butts off! “I gotta Feeling”: we did this song 5 years ago as a closer in show choir. The kids got so excited and sang so soulfully. Tears came to my eyes each time they performed that one. And the lifts! Young men throwing the girls up on their shoulders at the end of the tune. I was banging this one out at the piano, too. And lastly “Roar” this year the beginning choir sang this one and got such a sweet reaction from the audience. At first they were shy about singing out, but then started to relax and have fun as the audience responded to this awesome song! Your list is great.
Hi Cheryl! So glad you liked my list and THANK YOU for adding such great back stories to some of the songs. Isn’t it amazing that music can so transform us and yet we (or at least I do) forget how transformational it can be? Singing and dancing to every one of these songs (and any other personal favorites!) should be MANDATORY! Thanks for your comment! ~Kathy
I love your list! Your “bonus” song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World is definitely my #1 Happy Song. My husband and I walked down the aisle together to that 11 years ago.
Just reading this made me happy. Seriously. Thanks for the pick-me- up. Sometimes I fall into the category of serious….but I like to be happy, too! I think I will start taking my happiness more seriously. Lol
Hi
all 15 songs are realy cool. i have allready collected some of the songs with my self. now going to listen remaning songs. thanx for sharing your nice research with us.
Hi Roshan! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living and letting me know you like my song list. Check them all out and let me know what you think! ~Kathy
and how i love you kathy. it’s been so long since i’ve been online and to find your list fills me with deep joy. what a joy. thank you dear one. hugs… in our news, we are deeply happy but it’s complicated a bit our reality: come see the second video on the page to see why love. hugs to you, gabi
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1362626566/the-nomadic-family-project-part-2-the-final-stretc
Hi Gabi! Yes I’ve caught a few of your latest posts and know it’s been pretty tense filled for you. I’m glad to hear you are making progress with your film and I’m hoping you all stay safe and healthy. And if any of this music helps take the edge off–so much the betters. ~Kathy
I know about half of these….the others? No clue. I”m going to have to check them out!!
Hi Carol! Do check them all out. I think (hope!) you will be happily surprised! And what about you? Any favorites I’ve left off the list? Be sure and let me know. ~Kathy
Great list, Kathy! #1 is fantastic and when I hear it I clap along (even stopped at a red light, with my 19 yo son in the car. He hates it!) “Crab in the Bucket” always makes me think of summer and moving my bod. Fun post!
Hi Lisa! Nice to hear you love the song too….I think it’s being played so much that some people are getting tired of it. But I’m still loving it for sure. A few weekends ago we went out to a place where they were doing Kareoke and Happy came on. You should have seen all of us framed on that stage clapping, singing our hearts out and having a blast. And no, I don’t usually do Kareoke but that song will convert anyone! Stay Happy! ~Kathy
Based on your smiling picture I always figured you were a happy person! Great compilation of songs. One of my favorite can’t-keep-from-dancing songs is “Groovin in the Grass” by pretty much any group. I have a steel drum version that is the cat’s meow. Also like Grover Washington sax tune called “Santa Cruzin” – makes me want to head to the beach every time I hear it. Happy is the word! 🙂
Hi Dave! I’m glad to know that not everyone things I’m a serious person and that you liked my list. And yes, “Groovin in the Grass” is a great song too…and how could any song done on a steel drum NOT remind us of a good time! Thanks for sharing! ~Kathy
Great Songs!
Confession:
Whenever I hear “Love Shack” I need to dance! I absolutely loooove that song. So many fun memories about it.
In fact, I’ve always said that if I had a yacht, it would have BIG BOLD Pink letters on the side saying KIM’S LOVE SHACK.
xx Happy Weekend!!!
Hi Kim! So glad to hear that someone else loves Love Shack. It drives Thom crazy but I don’t care. And what a great visual to think of YOUR YACHT with that names on the side! ~Kathy
LOL, I started singing “Happy” in my head as soon as I saw the title of your post! 🙂 My daughter has decided that “Happy” and “Roar” are her favorite songs.
Another good one is “Counting Stars” by One Republic. It’s kind of been our theme this summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT_nvWreIhg
Hi Bethany! Yes, isn’t HAPPY just an amazing song. Who cares if the words are repetitive–the beat is awesome! And yes, I too love Counting Stars–it’s in my top 25! Thanks for adding it in here! Be happy! ~Kathy
Thank you!! we are about to leave for a long road trip and this is just what I needed!! My best to you!!
Hi Donna! Thanks for stopping by and YES! I guarantee if you take these song with you on your road trip you will stay happy! I made them into a playlist and have been listening to them all week myself. Have a great trip! ~Kathy
And my last share is a song that is on my forever list. This is the one song that instantly lifts my spirits and soothes my soul!
Bob Marley – 3 Little Birds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LanCLS_hIo4
Hey Nancy….oh yes, we listen to Bob Marley ALL the time and 3 little birds is a BIG favorite….it was in my list of the top 20! ~Kathy
#2 on my list of happy songs is…
Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA. The song, as cheesy as it is, makes me smile, tap my toe and swing my hips. Every time! 🙂 The video I like though is not the official Miley music video, rather this one created by a group of fabulous gay men on Fire Island in NY. I dare you not to smile watching this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ezfk7s1NyY
Hi Nancy! Hahahahaha! I’m still smiling from watching that video of the gay guys dancing to Miley Cyrus. I’m not a big fan of hers so I wasn’t familiar with the song but those guys were GREAT! Thanks for that laugh! Keep smiling! ~Kathy
You have got some great selections here, Kathy. Here are some of the songs that take me to my happy place: Sara Bareilles – Brave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v Just the video alone kills me – it’s so cute!
Looks like I’ll have to make this 3 comments, because it’s limiting me to just one link at a time.
stay tuned for selections 2 and 3.
Hi Nancy! Yes BRAVE is a great song….darn I forgot about it! Now I have to add THAT one to my playlist too! Thanks for that…oh, and I guess I didn’t realize that you could only link one and a time….that’s why it kicked this comment into my spam file….good to know. ~Kathy