songs about being happy to be alive that SOUND like being happy?

April 9, 2021 2:38 PM

One of my favorite songs like this is Good Day by Luce. What other songs are about just being happy to be alive, that really SOUND like just being happy?

Any reason for being happy, like being in love, is fine, but I am especially interested in songs that just seem like they're about generally being happy in the world at a given moment.

(I have seen the happy music thread and there's a lot of good stuff in there.)

THANKS!

posted by kristi to Media & Arts (56 answers total)

The Innocence Mission has a lot of slow, happy songs if you’re okay with slow. Lakes of Canada is relaxing bliss for me.
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:42 PM on April 9, 2021

your link to "Good Day" doesn't seem to go to the right place.
posted by hydra77 at 2:44 PM on April 9, 2021

Happy by Pharrell Williams does it for me
posted by olopua at 2:45 PM on April 9, 2021 [12 favorites]

Good Day byGreg Street with Nappy Roots conveys this so, so well.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:45 PM on April 9, 2021 [3 favorites]

One Day Like This, Elbow.
posted by merriment at 2:52 PM on April 9, 2021 [3 favorites]

I guess the classic example is “Walking in Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves.
posted by kevinbelt at 2:52 PM on April 9, 2021 [13 favorites]

Snow is Gone by Josh Ritter.
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:52 PM on April 9, 2021

Hairspray’s You can’t stop the beat
posted by rogerroger at 2:58 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Summertime, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
posted by pinochiette at 3:03 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

A Lovely Day

Don't Stop Me Now
posted by lunasol at 3:03 PM on April 9, 2021 [6 favorites]

Walter Martin, Amsterdam
posted by niicholas at 3:10 PM on April 9, 2021

Response by poster: Augh! Sorry! Good Day by Luce. Argh.
posted by kristi at 3:17 PM on April 9, 2021

The 59th Street Bridge Song by Simon and Garfunkel
posted by Redstart at 3:20 PM on April 9, 2021 [7 favorites]

The subject matter is a little mixed (it's about being happy but clearly as a contrast to usual experience) but "Sunglasses" by Saturday Looks Good to Me
posted by babelfish at 3:24 PM on April 9, 2021

I'm Good by The Mowgli's
posted by brook horse at 3:24 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Can't Stop the Feelin' by Justin Timberlake hits this spot for me.
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:36 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

To The Sky.
posted by SPrintF at 3:46 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

If you haven't seen the performances from the Biden Inauguration, you should check out the playlist on YouTube. I especially loved the performances by John Legend and Jon Bon Jovi's cover of Here Comes the Sun. The Fireworks show around Katy Perry's performance is pretty spectacular as well. Lots of other artists with happy performances in the list.
posted by effluvia at 3:57 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Happy Talk with Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderly!
I'm a Brass Band by Sammy Davis Jr.
posted by brookeb at 3:58 PM on April 9, 2021

Flowers in the Window by Travis?
Shiny Happy People by REM
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:58 PM on April 9, 2021

“Be Okay” by Oh Honey

“The Lotto” by Ingrid Michaelson with AJR
posted by Monochrome at 4:09 PM on April 9, 2021

"Beautiful Day" by U2, yes?

"I Can See Clearly Now", any version really.

"Impossible Germany" by Wilco is supersneakyhappy.

For the nostalgic note, "Right Here, Right Now" from Jesus Jones does it for me.
posted by riverlife at 4:21 PM on April 9, 2021 [5 favorites]

2fer from The Flaming Lips, "Do You Realize?" and "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots".

"Everyday is a Winding Road" by Sheryl Crow.

"Roam", the B-52s.

Joni Mitchell's "California".

"Ride" and "Dear Marlon Brando" by Pretty & Twisted (Jonette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde and Marc Moreland of Wall of Voodoo).

OK I'm gonna stop, off to make an awesome playlist. this is a great question thanks for asking!
posted by riverlife at 4:37 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

I have a real soft spot for New Order’s Regret

And for The Stone Roses’ She Bangs the Drums.
posted by corey flood at 4:43 PM on April 9, 2021 [4 favorites]

Maybe Mr. Blue Sky, ELO
posted by Glinn at 4:58 PM on April 9, 2021 [10 favorites]

How Do You Do by Hot Chip is 100% this
posted by supermedusa at 5:08 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Hot Fun in the Summertime - Sly & the Family Stone.
Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson
Got to Give it Up by Marvin Gaye
posted by brookeb at 5:14 PM on April 9, 2021 [6 favorites]

Luce's Good Day put me in mind of Van Morrison's Cleaning Windows. Which reminded me also of Days Like This.
posted by bricoleur at 5:26 PM on April 9, 2021

Someone already mentioned The Mowgli's, but I came to recommend another song by them, San Francisco. Whenever I think of pure joy in musical form, that's the one I think of.
posted by rakaidan at 5:32 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

The Beatles - Good Day Sunshine would be my suggestion.
posted by ElasticParrot at 5:49 PM on April 9, 2021 [3 favorites]

Stuck With You by Huey Lewis and the News.
posted by mskyle at 5:52 PM on April 9, 2021 [3 favorites]

The Police, Walking on the Moon (irresistible bounciness)

Erin McKeown's cover of the Mountain Goats' Jenny has a beautiful late 90s dreamy muffled summer happiness, a very effective transposition of the original
posted by praemunire at 5:58 PM on April 9, 2021

Forgot two - A Roller Skating Jam Name Saturdays by De La Soul

And Show Me with Mint Royale and De La Soul.
posted by brookeb at 6:10 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

The Book I Read by Talking Heads
posted by ovvl at 6:43 PM on April 9, 2021

Royksopp - Happy Up Here
posted by gemutlichkeit at 7:04 PM on April 9, 2021

Sunday Best - Surfaces

Saints - The Breeders

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine (depending on your interpretation, but mine is that it's a story of being happy better things are here)
posted by rhiannonstone at 7:29 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

That Luce song reminds me of Saturday in the Park by Chicago!
posted by storybored at 7:34 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Hurra - Die Aerzte
Everything is Awesome

Island in the Sun - Weezer

I am utterly untrustworthy about which love songs are uplifting versus depressing, but (to my mind) a total sleeper that starts mournful and erupts in cautious optimism is Elliot Smith's Say Yes. It's like a pointy hug from a sleepy kitten.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 7:47 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Stay High by Brittany Howard sounds joyful and is joyful, though. Maybe I'm not that unreliable.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 7:50 PM on April 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Happy Together and Elenore - The Turtles

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
posted by a humble nudibranch at 7:54 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Andy Grammer - Good to be Alive (Hallelujah)
Matt and Kim - Good For Great
Danger Twins - Do No Wrong
Dr. John - Accentuate the Positive
American Authors - Best Day of my Life
Owl City/Carly Rae Jensen - Good Time
Fitz - Congratulations
posted by eponym at 8:13 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Maybe not your jam at the start but give it a try: "Never Drive You Away" from "Gospel at Colonus."

The full visual of the live production was mind-blowing: a gospel choir in bright robes on a ranked stand, the Blind Boys of Alabama in matching white tuxedos (and wrap-around sunglasses), the soloists and musicians scattered around the stage, and Clarence Fountain himself crooning and moaning and roaring.... DAMN.

The entire show here, I think. Seeing it live at the Guthrie in 1986 is one of my favorite experiences in almost fifty years of living: the falsetto groans of Clarence Fountain still give me actual chills.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:40 PM on April 9, 2021

“I’m Alive”, by Michael Franti, was apparently written specifically to answer your question.
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:50 PM on April 9, 2021

Mod note: Fixed "Good Day" link in the post.
posted by taz (staff) at 10:41 PM on April 9, 2021

Don't worry be happy
posted by DixieBaby at 11:59 PM on April 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Tide is High - Blondie . . . I feel better already
posted by BobTheScientist at 3:13 AM on April 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

“If the Sun Doesn’t Shine Anymore” by the Smithereens and “Better Days” by Bruce Springsteen.
posted by coldhotel at 5:44 AM on April 10, 2021

Summertime, Summertime by the Jamie's. (Yea, I'm that old!)
posted by SemiSalt at 9:00 AM on April 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Another Michael Franti suggestion, with added Craig Ferguson: Say Hey (I Love You)!
posted by cardinalandcrow at 10:08 AM on April 10, 2021

Lovely Day by Bill Withers

(and a lot of the rest of Bill Withers)

New Way New Life by Asian Dub Foundation
- you have to watch the video to this, it is glorious. Also Buzzing by ADF.


Se a vida é by Pet Shop Boys


Dear Jessie by Madonna


Finally by Ce Ce Peniston

Get Happy by Judy Garland

Grateful Days by Dragon Ash (caveat: I don't know what the lyrics mean)


Truly Madly Deeply by Skanga


Milkman of Human Kindness by Billy Bragg
(when I come into my full powers this will be the national anthem of the UK)

A lot of bhangra sounds like pure happiness to me, though! I don't understand the lyrics:

Par Linghade by Safri Boys

Mundian to Bach Ke by Panjabi MC

etc.
posted by runincircles at 11:15 AM on April 10, 2021

Together Again by Janet Jackson. It just reminds me of a happy time, orchestration is superb, and Peak Janet Jackson.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 11:26 AM on April 10, 2021

Michael Franti and Spearhead definitely has this vibe! Along with the songs already mentioned, The Sound of Sunshine is another great, happy to be alive song.
posted by KatlaDragon at 3:41 PM on April 10, 2021

Wake Up Boo
posted by pompomtom at 5:45 PM on April 10, 2021

I looked at this thread on Friday and couldn't think of any suggestions; I looked again on Saturday and still couldn't think of any; now it's Sunday, and the answer is obviously Pacifics.
posted by aws17576 at 12:02 PM on April 11, 2021

Have a Nice Day, Stereophonics
posted by sigmagalator at 7:58 PM on April 11, 2021 [1 favorite]

Beautiful Beautiful by ONF.
posted by Lexica at 11:26 AM on April 12, 2021