Recommended songs for a happy young woman?

July 29, 2014 11:53 AM

Hi. So a good friend of mine is a happy young woman, about to have her 23rd birthday. She's asked her friends for songs to play. I found a list of songs referring to being 23, here on Metafilter - but they're all generally pretty depressing and negative about being 23. Do people have songs they recommend, for happy young women in general? Her tastes are modern, rock-oriented and eclectic - she's a big fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Pretty Reckless, MGMT, and dance music, for example. thanks!
posted by metasailor to Media & Arts (22 answers total)

She Brakes for Rainbows, by the B-52s. (Not about being 23 though.)
posted by BibiRose at 11:59 AM on July 29, 2014

What's my age again? - Blink 182 (even if she is a super cool 23 year old who thinks she's way too cool for Blink-182)
posted by ChuraChura at 12:05 PM on July 29, 2014

It's not about being 23 years old but this list would be lacking without some Brothers Johnson.
posted by phunniemee at 12:12 PM on July 29, 2014

Cloudbusting by Kate Bush
posted by fancyoats at 12:19 PM on July 29, 2014

The Aquabats, "Super Rad!" -- it's all about being young, positive, and unstoppable.
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:20 PM on July 29, 2014

Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
posted by Flood at 12:33 PM on July 29, 2014

Japandroids' Younger Us.
posted by gatorae at 12:46 PM on July 29, 2014

Sweet Mistakes - Ellis Paul

(Just replace 'man' with 'woman.')
posted by tackypink at 12:51 PM on July 29, 2014

Hoku, Perfect Day
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:58 PM on July 29, 2014

Melissa Ferrick, Everything I Need
posted by Mchelly at 1:15 PM on July 29, 2014

Happy, of course. I may be the only person in the world who will never tire of it.
posted by bearwife at 1:18 PM on July 29, 2014

One Girl Revolution - Superchick
Control - Janet Jackson
I'm So Excited - Pointer Sisters
posted by SisterHavana at 1:19 PM on July 29, 2014

I Feel Pretty- West Side Story
posted by SemiSalt at 1:35 PM on July 29, 2014

Cut Your Hair - Pavement
All My Friends and Drunk Girls - LCD Soundsystem
posted by rabbitsnake at 1:39 PM on July 29, 2014

It's not about being 23 years old but this list would be lacking without some Brothers Johnson.
Or Tevin Campbell's cover version.
Wannabe - Spice Girls
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves
Holiday - Madonna
Jumpin Jumpin - Destiny's Child
posted by SisterHavana at 2:01 PM on July 29, 2014

Erin McKeown -- Born to Hum
posted by lysimache at 3:17 PM on July 29, 2014

Not exactly age-specific but many songs by Jill Sobule are fun and happy and kind of feminine oriented. I Kissed a Girl, Karen by Night, Underdog Victorious for example.
posted by elendil71 at 3:46 PM on July 29, 2014

Taylor Swift is bound to have something to meet this need. Sorry for not being more specific.
posted by mmiddle at 5:47 PM on July 29, 2014

Moby - Feeling So Real
Sky Ferreira - Lost in My Bedroom
Carly Rae - Call Me Maybe
Empire of the Sun - Walking On a Dream
Future Islands - Balance
The Go! Team - Ladyflash
J Mascis - Not Enough
Peaking Lights - Amazing and Wonderful
Youngblood Hawke - We Come Running
posted by Bron at 6:35 PM on July 29, 2014

I'm confused — are you giving up on songs about being 23 and you just want to pick music she'll like, or are you determined to find happier songs about being 23? If the former ... how about these:

Apples in Stereo — Energy

Of Montreal — Disconnect the Dots
posted by John Cohen at 7:24 PM on July 29, 2014

Thanks all of you! This is perfect.
posted by metasailor at 4:10 PM on August 6, 2014

I was ideally looking for happy songs about being 23, and had bagged it. So thanks a lot John Cohen for connecting those dots. : )
posted by metasailor at 4:36 PM on August 6, 2014