Songs that make your heart swell?

March 9, 2010 3:30 PM

What songs make your heart feel like it's about to burst with life?

This will obviously be different for everyone, and these songs may not be *good* songs. But I'm interested, because I'd like to add to my own list.

FWIW - I haven't identified a theme,* but my list includes songs like:

- Fleet Foxes, "Your Protector"
- Charlie Daniels, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"
- Fac Alliance, "Mariama"
- Bob Dylan, Hurricane
- Bob Dylan, Seven Curses
- Taylor Swift, Love Story (sort of)
- Dolly Parton, "Jolene"
- Steve Earle, Johnny Walker's Blues (at least it used to)


*Can you?

posted by n'muakolo to media & arts (136 answers total)

Any of the tracks on BT's This Binary Universe tend to have that effect on me, though it's a completely different genre of music than the songs you listed. I'm not really sure what exactly you're looking for (are you?) and it's possible this AskMe is too broad to remain open...
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:34 PM on March 9, 2010

Stevie Wonder, As

Lots of Stevie Wonder actually, but that's the one that leapt to the front of my mind.
posted by Balonious Assault at 3:37 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

Skin I'm In by Sly and the Family Stone. Every time those horns come in, my mind is blown afresh.
posted by saladin at 3:39 PM on March 9, 2010

"Used to Be" by Beach House.
posted by Ironmouth at 3:41 PM on March 9, 2010

Tenderness, General Public.

It's the only song that makes me want to act out the lyrics. Go figure.
posted by HeyAllie at 3:43 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

"Don't Stop Believing", Journey
posted by Pantengliopoli at 3:44 PM on March 9, 2010 [5 favorites]

Not sure what you are looking for, but here are the songs on my iPod that always make me smile and put me in a good mood.

"These Are The Days" - 10,000 Maniacs
"No Rain" - Blind Melon
"Wonderful" - Everclear
"Boys Boys Boys" - Lady Gaga
"Jack and Diane" - John Cougar Melloncamp
"Louisiana Saturday Night" - Charlie Daniels Band
"rearviewmirror" - Pearl Jam
"Closer to Fine" - Indigo Girls
"Hey There Delilah" - Plain White Tees
Also - anything from the Glee soundtrack
posted by tryniti at 3:46 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, by Neutral Milk Hotel.
posted by number9dream at 3:47 PM on March 9, 2010 [12 favorites]

Beethoven's 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy)
posted by yawper at 3:47 PM on March 9, 2010 [5 favorites]

"Pata Pata" Miriam Makeba
posted by gubenuj at 3:48 PM on March 9, 2010 [6 favorites]

"I'm falling" by the bluebells. Its pure, unadulterated, pop genius.
posted by daveyt at 3:51 PM on March 9, 2010

I love this question, was just recently thinking about asking it myself! Looking forward to the replies.

My short list (only a small part of my go-to songs for this feeling) includes:

-- Bjork and David Arnold, "Play Dead"
-- Newcleus, "Jam on It"
-- Bent, "Always" (Ashley Beedle mix)
-- Duran Duran "The Chauffeur"
-- The Postal Service, "Such Great Heights"
-- The Prodigy, "Climbatize"
-- Mylo, "In My Arms"
-- MC Solaar, "Les Temps Changent"

Have to run out the door, may try to post more later!
posted by mireille at 3:52 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Neil Young's "Comes a Time"...preferably the live version from Live Rust.
Also, the Beach Boy's hang on to your ego.
posted by phelixshu at 3:58 PM on March 9, 2010

Everclear, "Learning How to Smile"

The slow build is the key in my mind. Hence why Taylor Swift "Love Story" does the same thing for me!
posted by CharlieSue at 4:01 PM on March 9, 2010

Spoon "The Underdog"
posted by bitdamaged at 4:01 PM on March 9, 2010 [4 favorites]

"Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head" by the Gorillaz makes me a little misty eyed, especially when the narrator is talking about the effect that the Strange Folk are having on the mountain. This totally caught me off guard the first time I heard it, because I don't usually react to music emotionally at all.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 4:02 PM on March 9, 2010

Tom Petty - King's Highway
posted by frobozz at 4:02 PM on March 9, 2010

Man, thinking about this has really set me to realize that the slow build is key to my favorite cheer up/ causing me to feel like my heart is going to burst songs. Two other key ones to add other than two mentioned before:

Garth Brooks, "Standing Outside the Fire"
Michael Buble, "Just Haven't Met You Yet"
posted by CharlieSue at 4:11 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Nina Simone - I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl
posted by jonnyploy at 4:12 PM on March 9, 2010

Favorite musical quotes...sorry, don't do whole songs
Led Zeppelin - All of my love - 2:36 in.
Carpenters - We've only just begun - change of pace, about 1:00 in.
Kansas - Carry on Wayward Son - about 2:47 in.
Jon Secada - Just Another Day - about 1:26 in.
Hunz - Sarah's Song - :50 in
Human League - Fascination - :07 in
Hunz - Broken Wings - about 2:15
Starship - We Built This City - 3:22?
Bastian - People Change - 5:00
Jon and Vangelis He is Sailing: 0:00 on
etc.
posted by circular at 4:13 PM on March 9, 2010

Lucky by Radiohead.
posted by geek anachronism at 4:14 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Beach Boys - Kokomo
posted by ellieBOA at 4:14 PM on March 9, 2010

"Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder
posted by tristeza at 4:14 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Impossible question. But with help from my ipod:

"Soul Sauce" by Cal Tjader
"Chuvisco" by Joyce y Banda Maluca
"Novo Sol" by Os Gatos
"Corisco" by Nara Leao
"Brazileirinho" (trad.) by Choro Ensemble
"O Bonde Do Dom" by Marisa Monte
"Todos Locos" by Herbie Mann
"Freedom" by Pharoah Sanders
"Funky Kingston" by Toots & the Maytals
"Love Supreme" by John Coltrane
"Bessie's Blues" (Coltrane) version by McCoy Tyner/David Murray/Arthur Blythe, etc.
"Calendar" by Paris Combo
"Planet Claire" by B52s
"Down On Me" by Janis Joplin
"Stoned Soul Picnic" by Laura Nyro
"Night Bird Flying" by Jimi Hendrix
"It Mek" by Desmond Dekker
"Gentleman" by Fela Kuti
"The Good Thing" by Talking Heads
"Lowdown in Lodi" by Freddie King
"Mardi Gras in New Orleans" by Professor Longhair
"Get With It" by Charlie Feathers
"Springsville" by Miles Davis
"This Can't Be Love" by Art Tatum, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton
"Seven Comes Eleven" by Benny Goodman Quartet
"What a Little Moonlight Can Do" by Dee Dee Bridgewater (from "Live at Yoshi's")
"The Mooche" by Duke Ellington
"Sapato Mole" by Quarteto Em Cy
"Don't Do Me Like that" by Tom Petty
"Seasons" by Rahsaan Roland Kirk
"Listen Here" by Eddie Harris
"20th Century Man" by the Kinks
"Cinderella" by LP with Cracker
"Te-Ni-Nee-Ni-Nu" by Slim Harpo
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 4:15 PM on March 9, 2010 [3 favorites]

On a beautiful spring day, the kind that makes you want to get in the car and go for a freedom drive in the country with all the windows open, I have a several guilty pleasure songs I like to play. Here's a few:
The Sundays
Belly
Sheryl Crow
Cracker
Brasil '66 (and Brasil '66)
posted by ctmf at 4:18 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

Moby - Feeling So Real
posted by jclovebrew at 4:21 PM on March 9, 2010

I'm In A Hurry - Alabama
posted by Pantengliopoli at 4:23 PM on March 9, 2010

Tonight, and The Rest of My Life by Nina Gordon.
posted by Sassyfras at 4:31 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

A few that always lift me up and make me glad to be alive, even when I'm down. From a wide variety of genres and tones, here are some of them:

- Beethoven's Ode to Joy (9th Symphony). My heart nearly explodes when I listen to this.
- Joy by Apollo 100 (a synth version of Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring). The traditional version is nice, to, but this one by Apollo 100 really makes my heart soar.
- Surfing with the Alien, by Satriani
- Hold On Tight, by ELO
- Beautiful Racket, by Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel (a song which simultaneously makes me feel sad, elated, nostalgic and hopeful for the human condition all at once.)
- Mambo Swing by Big Bad Vodoo Daddies
- Canned Heat by Jamiroquai
- La Negrita Tiene Tumbao by Celia Cruz (video is NSFW)
- A Taste of Honey by The Peter Sullivan Band. Here's a version by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass which has much of the same flavor.
- Classical Gas by Mason Williams
- Just the Two of Us, by Grover Washington with Bill Withers.

Some are uplifting instrumentals, some are pop standards with a message, some are good dance music and some are love songs, but they all make me feel really alive in their own way.
posted by darkstar at 4:31 PM on March 9, 2010

Holy crap, you guys are fast!
posted by darkstar at 4:32 PM on March 9, 2010

*too

(God, I hate that typo)
posted by darkstar at 4:33 PM on March 9, 2010

My Way by Sinatra.
posted by Sassyfras at 4:35 PM on March 9, 2010

Have to second "As" by Stevie Wonder... definitely.

...and add "A Wedding in Cherokee County" by Randy Newman. awesome.
posted by jimmereeno at 4:36 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

"Rock & Roll" by Velvet Underground
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:38 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Aphex Twin's "Goon Gumpos"
Stevie Wonder's "The Secret Life of Plants"
Magnetic Fields' "100,000 Fireflies"
posted by benzenedream at 4:42 PM on March 9, 2010

Lamb's "Gabriel"
Peter Gabriel's cover of "The Book of Love"
posted by phearlez at 4:42 PM on March 9, 2010

Drivin' 'n' Cryin' - Let's Go Dancing
Jack Ingram - Drive On
Son Volt - Windfall
R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe
Soul Asylum - Sometime to Return

Why yes, I do like my rock a little country-fried.
posted by drlith at 4:43 PM on March 9, 2010

"Mayor of Simpleton" by XTC
posted by schrodycat at 4:53 PM on March 9, 2010 [3 favorites]

"tonight tonight" by the smashing pumpkins
posted by muscat at 5:12 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

"Photosynthesis" by Frank Turner (best version)

"This Year" by The Mountain Goats

"The End of the Line" by Murder by Death

"Rise" by Eddie Vedder (from Into the Wild sndtrk)

Also, pretty much anything from Sigur Ros, especially the songs from their documentary Heima.
posted by dogwalker at 5:14 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Good To Be Alive by DJ Rap

Miserere by Gregorio Allegri

Belfast by Orbital

Roy Castle by µ-Ziq

Cut the Midrange Drop the Bass by Cylob

O Pastor Animarum by Hildegard von Bingen

Junglist by Congo Natty

Agnus Dei by William Byrd

Donkey Rhubarb by Aphex Twin
posted by meehawl at 5:17 PM on March 9, 2010

Many good ones here.

A few more:

Here Comes the Sun, Beatles.
Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy version
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, young Judy Garland version. (What a corn dog, I know)
Soak Up the Sun, Sheryl Crow
And for some reason, Mountains o' Things by the Duhks, which makes me feel rich and lucky.
posted by bearwife at 5:19 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

Jason Falkner's cover of "Both Sides Now"

This is the best cover of all time, IMHO; and fits what you're looking for to a T.
posted by Ike_Arumba at 5:20 PM on March 9, 2010

Girl groups/Phil Spector production does it for me (see The Cake's "Baby That's Me," The Ronettes' "Be my Baby," and so forth). For a more modern take see Johnny Boy's "You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve" (or at least this nice edit since the original video's gone missing, for shame).
posted by melissa may at 5:24 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh, also:

Joan Jett's cover of "Love is All Around".

If that doesn't get you going, I don't know what will.
posted by Ike_Arumba at 5:24 PM on March 9, 2010

I am totally with you on "Your Protector," "Devil Went Down to Georgia," and "Hurricane." Along those lines, I would say "Annan Water" by the Decemberists.

I also love listening to Boston's first album.
posted by cabingirl at 5:26 PM on March 9, 2010

Folk Death 95 by Mogwai
The Only Moment We Were Alone by Explosions in the Sky
O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen via Nordic Chamber Choir
posted by bam at 5:30 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Do you Realize by the Flaming Lips.

Happiness makes you cry...
posted by zzazazz at 5:32 PM on March 9, 2010 [7 favorites]

Definitely seconding music by Sigur Ros. I still get tingles when listening to Glósóli and Hoppípolla.
posted by sciencemandan at 5:34 PM on March 9, 2010

Agghgh I forgot Sigur Ros.
posted by bam at 5:35 PM on March 9, 2010

Brandy (Looking Glass)
The Door (George Jones)
Candidate for Love (T.S. Monk) - and all of the songs that Dmitri from Paris has from the Uplifting CD of "After the Playboy Mansion"!
This must be the place (Talking Heads)
posted by mammary16 at 5:42 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

Born to be wild- Steppenwolf
Celebration- Kool and our Gang
The Overature, the Halleluia Chorus and Worthy is the Lamb from Handel's Messiah
Psalm 27 by John Rutter
posted by srbrunson at 5:43 PM on March 9, 2010

"You're So Cool" from True Romance. A song so simply you can play it in your head anytime and get happy. I can't check the audio on that link now, but I'm pretty confident it's correct.
posted by zardoz at 5:44 PM on March 9, 2010

Ghost - Neutral Milk Hotel
Crush - Tall Dwarfs
Poor Old Soul - Orange Juice
Rough Gem - Islands
Transport is Arranged - Pavement
Joan of Arc - OMD
Cemetery Gates - The Smiths
Listen to the Band - The Monkees
Jet Set Junta - Monochrome Set
Sister Ray - Velvet Underground
Queen Bitch - David Bowie

This is an awesome idea, and I am fascinated by everyone's choices. Please keep going!
posted by kittyloop at 5:54 PM on March 9, 2010

Alive and Kicking by Simple Minds
Lux Aeterna from Mozart's Requiem Mass
Burning Down the House by Talking House
Rikki Don't Lose That Number by Steely Dan
Dimming of the Day by Richard Thompson
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:03 PM on March 9, 2010

Topknot by Cornershop
Heartbeats by The Knife
When I Grow Up by Fever Ray
Tough Guy by the Beastie Boys
Vampire/Forest Fire by the Arcade Fire
100,000 Fireflies by the Magnetic Fields
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
Bolero by Ravel

That's a good start for now...
posted by schyler523 at 6:05 PM on March 9, 2010

Kate Bush: Rocket's Tail. Works every time.
posted by flabdablet at 6:09 PM on March 9, 2010

Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Off off off with yer head! ... Dance dance dance 'til yer dead!
posted by Terheyden at 6:14 PM on March 9, 2010

Talk Talk's Life's What You Make It always makes my heart swell...

Nina Simone's Feeling Good

Noir Desir's le Vent Nous Portera makes me happy and sad at the same time. Not sure if that is what you were after, but it is a lovely song.

I'm Looking Through You by the Beatles

And you have to dance to Pizzicato 5 - Twiggy Twiggy

oh, and Dancing Barefoot by Patti Smith, Ship of Fools by World Party, and I always smile when I watch Prisencolinensinainciuso
posted by lucysun at 6:22 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

"Swelling with life" is a really amorphous description, and one even I'm not sure I'm getting. But these songs usually provoke a strong emotional reaction within me -- and as I consider emotion life, they're at least a good start.

"Liverpuddlian", by the Blue Grassy Knoll
"Peppyrock", by BTK
"We are Here", by the Health & Happiness Show
"Theme to '30 Rock'", by Jeff RIchmond
"Tik Tok (Deluka Soundsystem Reimagining)", by Ke$ha (not the normal track -- I think I found this mix on Chicagoist)
"Steal my Sunshine", by Len
"Morning", by Lenlow
"Selling the Drama", by Live
"The Drinking Song", by Moxy Fruvous
"We Got the Soulja Boy", by A Plus D
"Hymn to Her", by the Pretenders
"Don't Stop Me Now", by Queen
"Life is a Highway", by Rascal Flatts
"The Wild Voodoo Girl Stop", by DJ Max Entropy
"It's Getting Better", by Mama Cass
"Title of the Song" and "Enormous Penis", by DaVinci's Notebook
"We Can Live Anywhere", by Big D and the Kids' Table
"More Than This", by Roxy Music
"Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)", by Van Morrison
"Even Cowboys Like a Little Rock and Roll", by Chris LeDoux and Charlie Daniels
"Go Your Own Way", by Fleetwood Mac
"How Can I Help You Say Goodbye", by Patty Loveless
"Lower Your Eyelids to Die with the Sun", by M83
"Alive", by Edwin
"Move Your Feet", by Junior Senior
"Play that Funky Wii", by dj BC
"Daylight", by Matt & Kim
"Dancing in the Moonlight", by Van Morrison
"I'll Stand By You", by The Pretenders
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra version of R.E.M.'s "Shiny Happy People"
"Jillian (I'd Give My Heart)", by Within Temptation
"Rhythm of the Blues", by Mary Chapin Carpenter
"Why Walk When You Can Fly", by Mary Chapin Carpenter
posted by WCityMike at 6:22 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy version
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, young Judy Garland version. (What a corn dog, I know)

I can't argue with either of those selections, bearwife, but I'm reminded that Eva Cassidy's Over the Rainbow would also be on my list, right up near the very top. It's not the same makes-me-want-to-get-up-and-celebrate feeling that I suppose I read into the question, but something about that performance gives me an acute case of swollen heart and uncontrollable goosebumps every single time.
posted by Balonious Assault at 6:28 PM on March 9, 2010

Suspect Device -- Stiff Little Fingers

Tell Mama -- Etta James

Chickamauga -- Uncle Tupelo

I Wanna Destroy You -- Soft Boys (well, the Circle Jerks or Uncle Tupelo cover, really)

The Anchor -- The Minutemen

To Live Is To Fly -- Townes Motherfucking Van Zandt

Boulder To Birmingham -- Emmylou Harris

MmmBop -- Hanson (what? That's a great pop song, and if you don't think so, you're a soulless poseur)

What Are You Willing To Lose -- Lucero

Gravity's Gone -- Drive-By Truckers

Jenny's Got A Pony -- Los Lobos

TV Eye -- The Stooges

Attitude -- Bad Brains

New Day Rising -- Husker Du

A Head With Wings -- Morphine

Isis -- Bob Dylan (the live version w/ the Rolling Thunder Revue)

Torn And Frayed -- Rolling Stones

Good Morning Captain -- Slint

Let's Face The Music And Dance -- Anita O'Day

If I Should Fall From Grace With God -- The Pogues

Shakin' Through -- REM
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:33 PM on March 9, 2010

purple bottle - animal collective
mint car - the cure
the engine driver - the decemberists
painter in your pocket - destroyer
peach, plum, pear - joanna newsom
take me somewhere nice - mogwai
one more night - stars
posted by jus7brea7he at 6:33 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

Scenic World - Beirut
The World Is Yours - Nas
Pomp & Pride - Toots & the Maytals
Where Is My Mind? - Pixies
Everybody Loves the Sunshine - Roy Ayers
Stretch Out & Wait - The Smiths
The Greatest - Cat Power
Province - TV On the Radio
Inspiration Information - Shuggie Otis
posted by Fiorentina97 at 6:35 PM on March 9, 2010

Stevie Wonder - "Sir Duke"
posted by ersatzkat at 6:51 PM on March 9, 2010

ELO - "Mister Blue Sky"
posted by ersatzkat at 6:53 PM on March 9, 2010

Also, the Beach Boys' hang on to your ego.

I like Frank Black's version too.

Others (some of these definitely fall into guilty pleasure territory):
"A Town Called Malice" and "Going Underground" - The Jam
"Just Dance" - Lady Gaga
"You Make My Dreams" - Hall & Oates
"Voulez-Vous - Abba
"Rush Hour" - Jane Wiedlin
"It's A Miracle" - Barry Manilow
"Rock The Night" - Europe
"Tear Me Down" - Hedwig and the Angry Inch
"New York Groove - Ace Frehley (or Hello)
posted by SisterHavana at 6:53 PM on March 9, 2010

La Bamba
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 7:03 PM on March 9, 2010

Hey Jude
posted by pushing paper and bottoming chairs at 7:05 PM on March 9, 2010

But Not Tonight by Depeche Mode
posted by Ouisch at 7:11 PM on March 9, 2010

Naive Melody - Talking Heads.
Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
Ain't Got No, I Got Life (might be different title) - Nina Simone
Hymn #101 - Joe Pug
The Twist - Frightened Rabbit
Be With Me Jesus - Sam Cooke
A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
Aaja Nachle (Come On Dance) - Monsoon Wedding Soundtrack
posted by ajarbaday at 7:27 PM on March 9, 2010

Ah, let me see if I can remember what I had on my "Achingly Beautiful" playlist before my computer died...

Travis - Love Will Come Through
Mike Doughty - I Hear the Bells
Gustavo Santaolalla - Wings (instrumental from Brokeback Mountain -- short, but every time the harmony kicks in a minute in, I get goosebumps)
Fountains of Wayne - Troubled Times (sorry for the weird Veronica Mars shipper video)
Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova - Falling Slowly
James Taylor and Carly Simon - You Can Close Your Eyes
Pete Yorn - Crystal Village
The Shins - Saint Simon
posted by pluckemin at 7:45 PM on March 9, 2010

Elevation and Where the Streets Have No Name and One and Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own and a whole bunch of other U2 songs.
posted by pised at 7:46 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Beautiful Days by Fantastic Plastic Machine
posted by bolognius maximus at 7:52 PM on March 9, 2010

"Beautiful Day" - U2
"Get By" - Talib Kweli
"Life In Technicolor II" - Coldplay
"September" - Earth, Wind & Fire
"I Got A Name" - Jim Croce
"Breakaway" - Kelly Clarkson
"In My Heart" - Moby
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"Say Hey (I Love You)" - Michael Franti & Spearhead

And I have to second:
"Soak Up The Sun" - Sheryl Crow
"Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey

Those are some of my burst-with-life ones, at least. I have some other heart-burst ones that have more of a tinge of sadness to them, though.
posted by sigmagalator at 8:07 PM on March 9, 2010

The Candyflip version of Strawberry Fields Forever
Loads of Ride, particularly Vapour Trails.
Slip Inside this House
posted by pompomtom at 8:09 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh, man. Nthing Stevie, Spoon and Velvets and so much more above. (Oooh! Yes, Say Hey by Spearhead is wonderful). Also:

- Talking Heads: Stay Up Late. You don't even need the adult sized jolly jumpers.
- Morrissey: All You Need Is Me. You are missing the embarrassing dance I do to this one. Count yourself lucky.
- Amadou and Miriam: Sabali. This is pure fucking joy, found through CBC's Definitely Not The Opera.
- Naila: Parc Lajoie. Also found through DNTO, also self-explanatory.
- Jazz Butcher: Peter Lorre and Hungarian Love Song.
- Fiona Apple: Tymps. Yes, it's Fiona. Yes, it's joyful. Trust me.

And every last morsel of Al Green, ever.
posted by maudlin at 8:11 PM on March 9, 2010

This Must Be The Place, Talking Heads*
Such Great Heights, The Postal Service (a repeat of someone else's, but it's true!)
Temptation, New Order
Kodachrome, Paul Simon
I Want You To, Weezer (video: kind of dumb)
The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side, The Magnetic Fields
The Book of Love, The Magnetic Fields
Abigail, Belle of Kilronan, The Magnetic Fields**
Jesus, Etc., Wilco
Run, Vampire Weekend
Don't Let's Start, They Might Be Giants ***
She's An Angel, They Might Be Giants***
Bangs, They Might Be Giants***
Dr. Worm, They Might Be Giants***
The Moment of Conception, David Byrne

*Also a hell of a lot more Talking Heads songs.
**Okay, pretty much three quarters of 69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields, if I don't stop now this list will be huge
***Not available on Youtube
****Okay, pretty much three quarters of the entire They Might Be Giants song catalog, especially if it's sung by John Linnell
posted by audacity at 8:11 PM on March 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

You Were Right About Everything by Erin McKeown. First Circle by the Pat Metheny Group. Kelly Hogan and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts' cover of Papa Was a Rodeo by the Magnetic Fields. Teaspoon by the Long Winters (ok, all the videos of this song are shit for whatever reason).

Number one, with a bullet: Am I Wrong by Love Spit Love, but (this is important) the one with the marching band at the beginning of the movie Angus.
posted by clavicle at 8:14 PM on March 9, 2010

Go Places - New Pornographers
Prophets - AC Newman
Red Right Ankle, Engine Driver - Decemberists
Grace Under Pressure - Elbow
Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire
Do You Realize?? - Flaming Lips
Kick Drum Heart - Avett Brothers
Wild Horses - any number of versions
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Cold Cold Water - Mirah
posted by Pochemuchka at 8:17 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

More!

Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley
Romeo & Juliet, Dire Straits
A cover of the above, by The Killers
Sweet Darlin', She & Him

Thank you for the excuse to listen to all these songs
which I already do pretty much every day
posted by audacity at 8:21 PM on March 9, 2010

Oh yeah also -- all these Decemberists songs and no Sons and Daughters? Man. That Colin Meloy, he's a little much, but I guess the guy can write a melody.
posted by clavicle at 8:24 PM on March 9, 2010

Oh, crap, how did I forget Kodachrome?

- Eno: I'll Come Running and Seven Deadly Finns
- Sly and the Family Stone: Stand and Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
- The Monochrome Set - The Great Barrier Riff
posted by maudlin at 8:26 PM on March 9, 2010

(Sorry. The Sly "Stand" link is here.)
posted by maudlin at 8:27 PM on March 9, 2010

Belle and Sebastian, "Dirty Dream Number Two" -- the intro alone makes me a little dizzy when I hear it, the good kind of dizzy, like what you craved as a kid.
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:47 PM on March 9, 2010

"Kelly Watch the Stars" Air
"Neon Bible" Arcade Fire
"Song 2" Blur
"Bubbly Toes" Jack Johnson
"At Most Beautiful" R.E.M.
"Hotel Yorba", "We're Going to Be Friends" White Stripes
"Scarlett Begonias" Sublime
"Another First Kiss" TMBG
"New York City" TMBG
All of Smashing Pumpkins' Adore
All of Beck's Sea Change

Seconding:
"Romeo and Juliet"
"Do You Realize"
"Hallelujah"
"Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side"
"Don't Let Us Start"
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 8:47 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

I'm sure there's more, but the first one that leaps to mind is A Better Son or Daughter by Rilo Kiley.
posted by EatTheWeak at 8:49 PM on March 9, 2010

Also
"Kid Fears" and seconding "Closer to Fine" Indigo Girls
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 8:49 PM on March 9, 2010

at the moment..
live version of Aicha.
SONIC YOUTH Teenage Riot
Replacements Alex Chilton
Lauryn Hill Everything Is Everything
Talib Kweli Get By
Rooms on Fire, Stevie Nicks
This Must Be It, Royksopp
House of the Rising Sun, Nina Simone
posted by citron at 8:55 PM on March 9, 2010

I'll second most of what's been mentioned, especially the Phil Spector/Motown/girl group oeuvre, and (even though my eyes are blue) I'll add:

Brown Eyed Girl, by Van Morrison
posted by sallybrown at 9:02 PM on March 9, 2010

"Go Places" (New Pornographers) as previously mentioned. Actually, much of that album -- Challengers -- does it to me, including the title track.

"American Tune," Paul Simon (performing here with Garfunkel). The Indigo Girls version is also good.

"Sons and Daughters," The Decemberists, from The Crane Wife

"Seven Spanish Angels," Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

"To Go Home," M. Ward.

A common thread among some of these may be Neko Case on background vocals ...

Several songs, from all of her albums, get me also. "Favorite," "In California," "Thrice All American," "Deep Red Bells," "I Wish I Was The Moon," "A Widow's Toast," "The Needle Has Landed," "Magpie to the Morning," "Red Tide" ...

Oh, and Iron & Wine! If you like Fleet Foxes, go listen to whatever Iron & Wine you can find. You won't be disappointed.
posted by librarina at 9:02 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh, shoot, I meant to post this version of Abigail, Belle of Kilronan. The one I posted originally sounds fuzzy.
posted by audacity at 9:29 PM on March 9, 2010

Goldfinger - 99 Red Balloons
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Nobody Weird Like Me, Walkabout, Funky Monks

I have lots more but these were the first ones that came to mind instantly.
posted by zephyr_words at 10:10 PM on March 9, 2010

Gobbledigook--Sigur Ros
Chicago--Sufjan Stevens
This Time Tomorrow--The Kinks

and yes yes yes to clavicle's marching band version of "Am I Wrong"
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:13 PM on March 9, 2010

I'm sure there are lots of modern songs that move me, but these two oldies bring me to tears everytime (happy tears, I should add):
Louie Armstrong's What a Wonderful World
and
Jimmy Durante's Make Someone Happy
posted by kbar1 at 11:38 PM on March 9, 2010

Radical Face - Welcome Home
posted by spiderskull at 11:55 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Rachel's - Water from the same Source

Warning: This song might be too beautiful
posted by Alex404 at 12:17 AM on March 10, 2010

Ah, yes, I knew it would come to me -

For my part, no music does this "heart swelling" thing quite so well as the Red Army Choir - here's a few selections especially good for firing a fella up:

Off We Go!
Echelon's Song
Partisan's Song

This list could get pretty huge if I'm not careful. Basically, I love their whole catalog for this very reason - the heart cannot help but swell to these sounds!
posted by EatTheWeak at 3:03 AM on March 10, 2010

This might just be flavor-of-the-week, but I'll be goddamned if I can stay irritated or moody when I queue up Edward Hill's "I Am So Happy to Finally Be Back Home". As an added bonus, it's incomprehensible until you read the back-story!
posted by Mayor West at 5:24 AM on March 10, 2010

Boiler by Limp Bizkit, it moves me.
Aenima by TOOL, makes me think
China White by the Scorpions mades me want something, I dunno what, but it's still something?
Uncle Salty, The Movie or Kings and Queens by Aerosmith, makes me a bit nostalgic
Working man or La Lilla Strangiato by Rush (of course)
Extreme Ways by Moby from The Bourne Ultimatum Sndtrk (my current ringtone)
Stand by Candlebox
50 Ways by Simon and Garfunkel
You and Me by Alice Cooper (really anything Alice Cooper did before 1980 especially on From the inside)
Cats in the Cradle by Cat Stevens (hard to listen to since losing my pops)
Die Mother Fucker Die by DOPE
Farm is a Freeway by Jethro Tull
Gimmie the Night by the Great George Benson
Ghost Flowers by OTEP
Knoxville Courthouse Blues by Hank Williams JR.
I'm in love with my car - Queen
Ultravoilet Theme Song by JEM
Join The Army by Suicidal Tendencies
Tatva bt Kula Shaker
Lay Lady Lay (Ministry version)
Lets Go All the Way by ICP
Golgotha Tenement Blues by the Machines Of Loving Grace
Mr Bojangles by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
I could do this all day, Maybe next time you could ask about "instrumentals" only. I have a ton to them.
posted by winks007 at 7:02 AM on March 10, 2010

Grandaddy - Now It's On
Avett Bros. - Kick Drum Heart
David Bowie - Changes
The Beatles - Golden Slumbers
posted by bingwah at 7:20 AM on March 10, 2010

Phoenix - Lisztomania
Angels in America OST - Angels in America
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing (Live in Sydney '86)
posted by lmm at 7:49 AM on March 10, 2010

Mint Royale - Show Me [yt]
Trommelmashine - Der Dritte Raum [yt]
Red Dragon Tattoo [yt]
Julian Cope - Beautiful Love [lala]
Wasis Diop - My Son [lala]
Trickybaby - Indi-Yarn [yt]
Shaun Baker - VIP [yt]
Starsmusic - Give Me Your Smile [yt]
XTC - Then She Appeared [yt]
posted by nomisxid at 7:56 AM on March 10, 2010

Hie thee to the Polyphonic Spree. There's a reason Running Away has been my ringtone for the past few years.
posted by kittyprecious at 8:20 AM on March 10, 2010

Waters of March -- Susannah McCorkle.
I've Got the World on a String -- Ella Fitzgerald (possibly nsfw fashion show video with the audio).
Bach's Two Part Invention #8 -- Glenn Gould.
posted by Barry B. Palindromer at 8:45 AM on March 10, 2010

So many good answers. The song that does it for me is Eurythmics' "I Saved the World Today."

Also: Brandi Carlile's "The Story" and Travis' "Sing"
posted by booth at 9:04 AM on March 10, 2010

I'm reminded that Eva Cassidy's Over the Rainbow would also be on my list

I love that version too. It makes me a little sad, though, because I so wish she were still here and not over a rainbow somewhere.

Hey, speaking of Ella Fitzgerald, as Barry B. Palindromer was, I'd add "You're the Top" by Ella.
posted by bearwife at 9:48 AM on March 10, 2010

lauryn hill "to zion"
the go team "huddle formation"
elliott smith "independence day"

some non-English music? links to the ones i really like. most of it is pop music, aha.

zhang li yin "chu lian" (first love)----sorry about the fan video! this actually has clear audio
do as infinity "yesterday and today"
w-inds. "long road" ;
the black skirts "dientes"
utada hikaru "stay gold"; "fight the blues"; "final distance"
f.t. island "saranghajimayo" (please don't love)
khalil fong "southern breeze"
jo kwon ft. whale "dunk shoot"
super junior "neorago" (its you)
posted by one teak forest at 9:48 AM on March 10, 2010

Fresh Feeling by The Eels

Sonic Bloom by Tripping Daisy(actually the whole Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb album is pretty amazing)

Now It's On by Grandaddy

Lollipop, Grace Kelly, Big Girl(You Are Beautiful), and Love Today by Mika

Damn near anything by Don Lennon, but my favorites(I Need Friends, Definition of Love, and Really Dave Matthews) aren't on YouTube, so here's a live performance of Dance Music.

Yeah by Usher. Mostly because I made an AMV out of it, so the song reminds me of my video. Don't click on the AMV link if you're against self-linking in AskMe comments. You've been warned.
posted by owtytrof at 9:55 AM on March 10, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh shit how could I forget Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby by the Islands?
posted by owtytrof at 9:57 AM on March 10, 2010

Also!

For the Longest Time - Billy Joel.
posted by ajarbaday at 11:27 AM on March 10, 2010

Almost forgot:

Baby Come Back, Player
posted by audacity at 11:47 AM on March 10, 2010

"All the Pretty Girls" by Fun
"Work it Out" by Jurassic Five
"Wastin' Time" by Kid Rock
"Better People" by Xavier Rudd
"Love You Madly" by Cake
"New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini
"Something So Strong" Crowded House
"Gone, Gone, Gone" by Bad Company
"Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
"Handlebars" by Flobots
"Sheena is a Punk Rocker" by the Ramones
posted by cross_impact at 11:53 AM on March 10, 2010

Ben Lee - Catch My Disease
Phoenix - Rally
posted by jonnyploy at 11:55 AM on March 10, 2010

"No Excuses" by Air France.
posted by naju at 12:54 PM on March 10, 2010

Mockingbird
The times... etc.
posted by ctmf at 3:19 PM on March 10, 2010

bowl of oranges - bright eyes
posted by nitsuj at 3:28 PM on March 10, 2010

lonesome cowboy bill by the velvet underground
see these bones by nada surf
doves circle the sky by bodies of water
wax ecstatic by sponge
torn foam blue couch by grand archives

if i had to say there was a theme in your songs, i'd say they are all moderately sonically dense. lots going on there. not really very spare.
posted by millipede at 4:46 PM on March 10, 2010

Nothing But A Miracle by Diane Birch
posted by MeowForMangoes at 5:20 PM on March 10, 2010

The four tet remix of 'breathe me' by sia.
posted by aesacus at 5:32 PM on March 10, 2010

Go To the Water - Kat Eggleston

Swimming to the Other Side - Lui Collins cover of Pat Humphries song (.ram file)
posted by apartment dweller at 5:41 PM on March 10, 2010

Le Nozze di Figaro - Sull'aria (you may remember it from "The Shawshank Redemption")
posted by nicholai88 at 10:14 PM on March 10, 2010

Please forgive me - David Gray
Gorecki - Lamb
To build a home - Cinematic Orchestra
The Stairs - INXS (Amazon link as couldn't find the album version anywhere)
Sense of Touch - Mark Isham (from the Crash soundtrack)
Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine
Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti
Fix You - Coldplay (probably because of how amazingly they do this song live...)
Everlong - Foo Fighters
Throw your arms around me - Mark Seymour
The Ship Song - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
With or Without You - U2

Some of mine aren't all that happy, but still make my heart swell :)

Seconding the Flaming Lips, Jeff Buckley & REM recommendations above.
posted by vaneska at 3:19 AM on March 11, 2010

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses - U2
posted by condour75 at 4:53 AM on March 12, 2010

Bring Me to Life
posted by pised at 6:43 AM on March 13, 2010

Judee Sill - Jesus Was A Crossmaker

Pretty well anything by Judee. Heart: soar.
posted by Conductor71 at 9:54 AM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]

"America" and "For Emily (Wherever I May Find Her)" by Simon & Garfunkel.

And, goodness help me, I never cease to be thoroughly invigorated by what is quite possibly the biggest downer ever recorded, "Wond'ring Again" by Jethro Tull.
posted by Sys Rq at 1:46 PM on March 13, 2010

Oooh yes, songs of joy, to make my "heart feel like it's about to burst with life":

Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Lovin' Spoonful "Do You Believe In Magic?"

My Favorite Things from the Sound of Music

Julie Andrews - I Could Have Danced All Night

No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley

Jimi Hendrix- Foxy Lady

To Sir With Love - Lulu

Harry Belafonte Day-O ( Banana Boat )

Lots of the soukous sound from Central Western Africa. for extended bliss, Soukous Radio.

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

The B52's - Love Shack

Mud, Mud Glorious Mud, Flanders and Swann

YouTube - Beach Boys - Good Vibrations

Beach Boys - I Get Around

Musical Youth Pass the Dutchie

My spurs go Jingle Jangle Jingle

Burl Ives - Big Rock Candy Mountain

The Electric Flag ~ Killing Floor

Graceland

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Stones In The Road

Fleetwood Mac Dreams

Rocky Mountain High- John Denver

John Denver - Country Roads

Hey Good Looking

Gracias a la Vida lyrics in English

The LocoMotion

Ain't Got No, I Got Life - Nina Simone

The Byrds Turn Turn Turn

Buffalo Springfield - For What Its Worth

Rod Stewart "Forever young"

catch the wind Donovan

The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin

Musica Musica - Pino Daniele

Sometimes I need a bit of bite with my sunshine: Joan Armatrading: Tall in the Saddle

Joni Mitchell- Hejira

Or jolly culture clashes like Chinese Bluegrass
posted by nickyskye at 7:31 PM on March 13, 2010

First one that jumped to mind was American Tune by Paul Simon, which librarina mentioned above.

Also, I'm not ashamed to say this piece from Super Mario Galaxy makes me feel all triumphant-like.
posted by danb at 9:25 AM on March 14, 2010

I'll add another Belafonte song, Jump in the Line. Always makes me feel like moving. :)
posted by darkstar at 10:25 AM on March 14, 2010

"by your side" by sade
posted by crystalsparks at 3:48 PM on March 14, 2010

2nding Judee Sill and suggesting The Kiss
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:10 AM on March 16, 2010

Used To Be Alright - I Mother Earth

The Lady is a Tramp - Ella Fitzgerald

Vestido de Chita - Daniela Mercury

Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band

If You Want Blood (You've Got It) - AC/DC
posted by gottabefunky at 5:27 PM on March 16, 2010

Mary's Prayer, Danny Wilson

And I'm with heyallie on Tenderness...and General Public's Never You Done That makes my heart swell too.
posted by cicadadays at 7:37 PM on March 16, 2010

Quando corpus morietur from The Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 10:03 PM on March 21, 2010

Old Apartment - Barenaked Ladies
Steal My Sunshine - LEN
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses - U2
posted by Ostara at 8:29 PM on May 1, 2010