What's your favorite happy summertime high energy tune?

July 16, 2008 6:17 PM

I'm looking for unabashedly happy, feel good music. Do you have any favorites to recommend?

Any genre is fine. I'm really looking for happy, high energy songs that'll sound good on the car radio with the windows down and sunroof open on a long road trip. Summertime music, I guess. New, old, popular, obscure.

posted by dpx.mfx to media & arts (123 answers total)

It's a Great Day to be Alive, by Travis Tritt.
posted by jedicus at 6:26 PM on July 16, 2008

"Soak up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow
posted by NoraCharles at 6:27 PM on July 16, 2008

Chumbawamba's "Show Business", their live album, always does it for me.
posted by josher71 at 6:27 PM on July 16, 2008

Oh, look for "Mouthful of shit" and "Timebomb".
posted by josher71 at 6:28 PM on July 16, 2008

Architecture in Helsinki's In Case We Die is a great album for summer-time head-bopping feel-good car-driving music- it's quirky, sometimes sweet, sometimes fun, and well produced. You can listen to some of their songs here, check out 'Wishbone' or 'It'5' for a quick taste.
posted by farishta at 6:29 PM on July 16, 2008 [4 favorites]

The Aquabats - Look at Me (I'm a Winner)!
posted by namewithoutwords at 6:30 PM on July 16, 2008 [2 favorites]

"Odditty" by the Clean, happiest song of all time.
posted by escabeche at 6:30 PM on July 16, 2008

"Happy, high-energy songs" pretty much describes The Apples in Stereo.

Start with their latest, "New Magnetic Wonder". Would fit the bill perfectly for a fun roadtrip.
posted by Ike_Arumba at 6:31 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Inner Smile, by Texas
Fascination, by Alphabeat (and many other Alphabeat songs)
Shut up an Let me Go, by the Ting Tings
Electric Feel, by MGMT
Anything Ace of Base
posted by acidic at 6:34 PM on July 16, 2008

Ben Kweller, especially Run and I Gotta Move (sorry the home video is obnoxious, but the sound quality is better there than on the live videos)
posted by diamondsky at 6:36 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Already so many good things, ya'll are great. (Acidic -- I can't believe I forgot Ace of Base. I have some of their stuff from when I was in high school, the first summer I learned to drive, and that is exactly what it's good for! Now if I can just find the cd!).

Keep them coming - albums or individual songs are okay.

Some on my list already:
Jumpin Jolie (album) by the Weary Boys
Steal My Sunshine (song) by Len
Some Prince stuff
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:37 PM on July 16, 2008

I'm from Barcelona - We're from Barcelona

You'll either sing along all day or throw up.
posted by Adam_S at 6:37 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads. You might be able to skip 2 or 3 slower songs, but I never do.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 6:38 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

upbeat Carpenter songs from the 70's. "Sing A song" jumps to mind but they had a bunch.
posted by metahawk at 6:39 PM on July 16, 2008

Most anything by Shonen Knife.
The majority of the songs I've heard from Aqua.
posted by CrunchyFrog at 6:39 PM on July 16, 2008

The Go! Team - Huddle Formation
Belle & Sebastian - Sukie in the Graveyard
2 Skinnee J's - Riot Nrrrd
Asian Kung Fu Generation - E (Listen through to the end, at least once. Best reappropriation of an Oasis solo I can imagine)
Outkast - B.O.B.
Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs

And what the hell...
Hanson - MmmBop
posted by Navelgazer at 6:40 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Check out this old thread of mine.
posted by orange swan at 6:41 PM on July 16, 2008

(also, this isn't for a road trip, exactly, that's just the thing that came to mind about how to explain what I wanted. Really, just music that makes you smile).
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:42 PM on July 16, 2008

Anything by Holiday Parade
posted by nickhb at 6:43 PM on July 16, 2008

Orange swan -- thank you! I did search, I swear, thinking there had to be a thread but that didn't come up for me.
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:43 PM on July 16, 2008

Right now my summer song is Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good. I highly recommend that whole album - Elephant Shell.
posted by saraswati at 6:44 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Marlena Shaw's version of California Soul, played loud.
posted by Bookhouse at 6:45 PM on July 16, 2008

This is my favorite kind of music! Random upbeat (sounding) stuff! Yay!
This is all from my "wheeee!" playlist on iTunes.

And She Was, The Talking Heads
Flowers in the Rain, The Move (might also find it under ELO)
I'm the Man, Joe Jackson
Ruby Soho, Rancid
Windy, The Association
A Minha Menina, Os Mutantes
Magic Carpet Ride, Steppenwolf
Carrie Ann, The Hollies
A Pillar of Salt, The Thermals
Go Where You Wanna Go, The Mamas and the Papas
Tears of a Clown, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Nuthin But Luv, The Presidents of the USA
September, Earth Wind & Fire
Color My World, Petula Clark
Sunshinin', The Vines
Picture Book, The Kinks
Twin Cinema, The New Pornographers
World Destruction, John Lydon
Lazy Sunday Afternoon, The Small Faces
No Matter What Shape, T-Bones
Let's Go, Apples in Stereo
Chelsea Dagger, The Fratellis
Tracy, Cuff Links
Golden Years, David Bowie
Sign of the Times, Petula Clark
Laugh Laugh, The Beau Brummels
Bang the Drum All Day, Todd Rungren
Vertigogo, Combustible Edison
Five O'Clock World, The Vogues

OK, now that I've been obnoxious and filled up half the page, I'm done.
posted by phunniemee at 6:48 PM on July 16, 2008 [2 favorites]

From REM "Out of Time"-
Shiny Happy People
Me in Honey

Bare Naked Ladies- If I Had a $1,000,000

Most anything by the B-52's

Concrete Blonde-
Happy Birthday
The Ship Song

Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees!

Most anything by They Might Giants
posted by kimdog at 6:49 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Lemon Jelly!
posted by bricoleur at 6:51 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

The Beat Farmers, "Happy Boy"
Boo Radleys, "Wake Up Boo"
World Party, "Way Down Now"
posted by kirkaracha at 6:52 PM on July 16, 2008

Lollipop by The Chordettes.
posted by CrunchyFrog at 6:54 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

"the sun is up
i'm so happy i could scream!
and there's nowhere else in the world i'd rather be
than here with you
it's perfect
it's all i ever wanted
i almost can't believe that it's for real
So pinch me quick"

the cure - mint car
posted by jus7brea7he at 6:54 PM on July 16, 2008

a-hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba!
posted by mds35 at 6:55 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Another Day
Lover <-- ignore the video, it's just the only thing i could easily find
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 6:56 PM on July 16, 2008

Bob Sinclair - Love Generation
The Undertones - Here Comes The Summer
Las Ketchup - The Ketchup Song
posted by wannalol at 7:00 PM on July 16, 2008

LDN - Lily Allen
American Music - Violent Femmes
Make Out Club - Unrest
I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters
Hey Ya! - Outkast
Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up
Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
posted by trillian at 7:04 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

"St. Louis Blues" -- Peter Cincotti
posted by rossination at 7:06 PM on July 16, 2008

Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Spirit in the Sky - Norm Greenbaum
Do the Whirlwind - Architecture in Helsinki
Hey Now Now - Cloud Room
This album by the Go! Team
Mahna Mahna - the Muppets
Louis Prima stuff (like Just a Gigolo)
posted by jabberjaw at 7:08 PM on July 16, 2008 [2 favorites]

Blur - "Song 2"
Cloud Cult - "Please Remain Calm"
Flight Of The Conchords - "The Prince of Parties"
Cloud Cult - "It's What You Need"
posted by theiconoclast31 at 7:15 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Not all of these are "high energy" but some might fit the bill:

Sunshine Delay - Barcelona
Still Counting the Days - Goldfinger
It's Lulu - The Boo Radleys
Go - Apples in Stereo
No Rain - Blind Melon
My Sharona - The Knack
Tra La La - covered by Liz Phair
*International Pop Overthrow - Material Issue *
Stand - REM
Underdog - Murmurs
Return to Tippy Toe - The Phones (probably not what you're thinking but it makes me happy)
Happy Sad - Pizzicato Five
My Lucky Day - The Smoking Popes
Alright - Supergrass
Sun Hits the Sky - Supergrass
Can't Keep it In - Cat Stevens
The Teacher - Super Furry Animals
Kung Fu - Ash
A Wish Away - The Wonder Stuff
You're Lucky I'm Skinny - Wolfie
Light & Day - The Polyphonic Spree
Replace All Your Lies With Truth - Eggman

*my favorite for riding around with the windows down
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:18 PM on July 16, 2008

Fingerbib has always struck me as cheerful.
posted by jockc at 7:19 PM on July 16, 2008

Adding:

Gabrielle - Dreams (provided you have no problem with the unabashedly cheesy as well)
Pavement: Carrot Rope
Katrina and the Waves - Walking on Sunshine
Skee-Lo - I Wish
The Beatles - The End
Reel Big Fish - Sell Out
posted by Navelgazer at 7:19 PM on July 16, 2008

A few random ones off the top of my head:

The Style Council, Speak Like a Child

Electric Light Orchestra, Do Ya and Mr. Blue Sky

Split Enz, Six Months in a Leaky Boat (skip forward to about 1:40. I will also admit to squealing like a 12-year-old at about the 2:38 mark every single time I watch this video)

Divine Comedy, The Pop Singer's Fear of the Pollen Count

The Kinks, Victoria
posted by scody at 7:19 PM on July 16, 2008

How Bizarre - OMC
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 7:20 PM on July 16, 2008

Pizzicato Five
New Radicals
McAlmont and Butler
posted by merocet at 7:21 PM on July 16, 2008

Thirding The Go! Team.. matches your description to a T, and there's 2 albums worth of songs to choose from.
posted by amethysts at 7:23 PM on July 16, 2008

Mr. Maker -- The Kooks
Don't Stop Me Now -- Queen
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 7:24 PM on July 16, 2008

Try Grace Kelly and Lollipop, both by Mika
posted by photomusic86 at 7:25 PM on July 16, 2008

"Barracuda" by Heart wasn't meant to be happy, but rather a scathing indictment on suits in the industry, but I'll be god damned if I can't drive down the road, smiling ear to ear and playing air drums to it. I even smile while making run-on sentences about it!
posted by OneOliveShort at 7:29 PM on July 16, 2008

Modest Mouse - Float On

I'm From Barcelona is made of this. I could find their songs 'We're from Barcelona,' 'Treehouse', and 'Collection of Stamps' on youtube.

Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is a classic.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 7:29 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

It Must Be Summer, by Fountains of Wayne.
posted by chez shoes at 7:43 PM on July 16, 2008

The Partridge Family!

Also NRBQ.

And Squeeze.

Locally I like the Geckos and Last Train Home. Good road-trip music all around.
posted by headnsouth at 7:44 PM on July 16, 2008

The Fragile Army (album) by the Polyphonic Spree
posted by hazel at 7:51 PM on July 16, 2008

Neato - Baxendale
You Stood Out From the Crowd - The Salteens
A God Man is Easy to Kill- Beulah
Action and Drama - Bis
Onyonghasayo - Skankin Pickle
Sound System - Operation Ivy
She Just Wants to Move - Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Rocks - Primal Scream
This is How I Live - Sam Roberts
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:53 PM on July 16, 2008

Ozomatli Como Ves
posted by gteffertz at 7:54 PM on July 16, 2008

U2: Beautiful Day
posted by deCadmus at 7:59 PM on July 16, 2008

Girls on My Mind by David Byrne.

Seconding Shonen Knife.

If you can find some Pee Shy, they're pretty fun.
posted by waitangi at 8:07 PM on July 16, 2008

For super-peppy j-pop boyband glory: Arashi's Happiness. Painfully upbeat and bouncy.

Other Japanese summer-cheerful-glory song: Zenryoku Shonen by Sukima Switch.
posted by that girl at 8:12 PM on July 16, 2008

Zhané!!! Groove Thang, Hey Mr DJ
Lucy Pearl Dance Tonight
Lauryn Hill That Thing

Pavement Range Life

cosign: MGMT Electric Feel
posted by citron at 8:15 PM on July 16, 2008

Shiny Happy People
posted by mmascolino at 8:16 PM on July 16, 2008

Boogie On Reggae Woman -- Stevie Wonder
Higher Ground -- Red Hot Chili Peppers version
We All Shine On -- John Lennon
Tell Me Something Good -- Rufus/Chaka Khan
Ballroom Blitz -- Misfits
Crazy Love -- Van Morrison
Everyday People -- Sly and the Family Stone
Blister in the Sun -- Violent Femmes
Land of 1000 Dances -- Wilson Pickett
posted by maloon at 8:17 PM on July 16, 2008 [3 favorites]

Almost anything Fantastic Plastic Machine. Try Take Me To The Disco or the Luxury Theme.
posted by crazycanuck at 8:18 PM on July 16, 2008

Get Lucky - Dragonette (currently my favorite happy song)
The Globe - Big Audio Dynamite
AM Radio - Everclear
The Sign - Ace of Base
In the summertime - Shaggy
Dancing Queen - ABBA (karaoke!)
Mamma Mia - ABBA
The blues are still blue - Belle & Sebastian
Do it alone - Sugarcult
Mundiyan To Bach Ke (Beware of the Boys) - Punjabi MC w/ Jay Z
Cherry Lips - Garbage
American Pie - (Madonna Version)

Plus...
Love Shack - B52s
Sunday Girl - Blondie
The Tide is high - Blondie
Karma Cameleon - Culture Club
Allstar - Smashmouth
posted by yeoja at 8:23 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

some favorites, both recent and reliable:

The Lucksmiths, "T-Shirt Weather"
Sloan, "Don't You Believe A Word" (pretty terrible video, but I was at this show!)
Major Maker, "Roller Coaster"
every song by The Dudes
and I guess it's really a winter song, because it's about curling, but The Weakerthans, "Tournament of Hearts"
posted by dropkick queen at 8:31 PM on July 16, 2008

Harry Belafonte. Plus a bunch of songs other people have already named.
posted by miss lynnster at 8:32 PM on July 16, 2008

Although it's not great music by any standard definition, I defy anyone to be sad while listening to Shooby Taylor.

Spacesuit by They Might be Giants is a very happy 1:36 of instrumental joy.
posted by tomble at 8:34 PM on July 16, 2008

Beautiful Sunday by Daniel Boone.
posted by Oriole Adams at 8:43 PM on July 16, 2008

Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine.
posted by acorncup at 8:46 PM on July 16, 2008

I like The Presidents of the USA when I'm in a mood like this. I think they're a great 'fun' band. Try Dune Buggy, Feather Pluckin, Munky River, and Back Porch for starters.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 8:48 PM on July 16, 2008

Tori Amos Bouncing off Clouds
posted by and for no one at 9:19 PM on July 16, 2008

Dragostea Din Tei by Ozone (aka that Numanuma song)

I Love L.A. by Randy Newman
posted by The ____ of Justice at 9:32 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
Andrew's Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Beastie Boys - Body Movin (Fat Boy Slim Remix)
5,6,7,8s - Woo Hoo
Chumbwamba - Tubthumping
Crucial Conflict - Hay
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Daft Punk - Around the World
Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Dazz Band - Let it Whip
Electric Six - Gay Bar
Isley Brothers - Shout
Kanye West - Stronger
Kanye West - Through the Wire
Kenny Loggins - Foot Loose
Kool Moe Dee - I Go To Work
Lady of Rage - Afro Puffs
Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away
Madness - Our House
Michal Buble - Sway
Pink - Cuz I Can
Pointer Sisters - Jump
Rammstein - Du Hast
Rob Base - It Takes Two
Romantics - What I Like About You
Rufus & Chaka Kahn - Aint Nobody
Sam Cooke - Twisting the Night Away
Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride
Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild
Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
Tag Team - Whoomp
Talib Kweli - Get By
Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One
Veruca Salt - Volcano Girls
Will Smith - Summertime
Yello - Oh Yeah
Zapp & Roger - More Bounce to the Ounce
posted by nooneyouknow at 9:34 PM on July 16, 2008

I can't imagine being sad listening to "Accidentally in Love" by Counting Crows.

Instrumental:
Joy - Apollo 100
Techno Opera - Fifth Element Sountrack

Also great in the car would be Fortunate Son by Creedance, though Justin Long disagreed with Bruce Willis on this song in Live Free or Die Hard (;-)
posted by forthright at 9:43 PM on July 16, 2008

Realllly depends on what YOU think is happy music, but IMO unadultrated happy =

Innocence Mission
The Be Good Tanyas
posted by arnicae at 9:53 PM on July 16, 2008

Feeling Good, Nina Simone
posted by Tenuki at 9:53 PM on July 16, 2008

This has been asked many times on AskMetafilter. Links to lots of previous threads in this comment (and see that thread). Google is a useful tool.
posted by jejune at 9:55 PM on July 16, 2008

Definitely Super Furry Animals.
posted by greta simone at 9:56 PM on July 16, 2008

Today is the Day - Apollo Sunshine
Dizz Knee Land - Dada
Devil Will Ride - Gomez
The Staunton Lick - Lemon Jelly
Eyes Like Sparks - Paul Westerberg
Heaven - Rusted Root
My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
Don't Rain on My Parade - Bobby Darin
Brick House - Commodores
Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel
You Can't Always Get What You Want - Rolling Stones
Bust A Move - Young MC
Goods - Mates of State
She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
Lucas With The Lid Off - Lucas
Chick Magnet - MXPX
We Built This City - Starship
Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings
Happy Birthday to Me - Cracker
The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song - Flaming Lips
Stay Up Late - Talking Heads
Lola - The Kinks
Freedom - Wham!
I'm Gonna Be - The Proclaimers
What I Got - Sublime
Amie - Pure Prairie League
posted by vytae at 10:01 PM on July 16, 2008

Balloons, by DBSK

Because what's happier than a Korean boy band dressed up as stuffed animals, singing about loving balloons?
posted by yeoja at 10:12 PM on July 16, 2008

Float On by Modest Mouse.
posted by HotPatatta at 10:13 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

Sly and the Family Stone are a band so happy, my mom is trying to figure out some of their songs to teach her 4th grade class. I particularly recommend "Stand", "Hot Fun in the Summertime", "Fun", "I Want to Take You Higher"...ok honestly all their songs.

And also, M. I. A.
posted by crinklebat at 10:27 PM on July 16, 2008

Some feel good cruising songs I haven't been able to stop blasting from my topless Jeep this summer...

The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Skin of my Country Yellow Teeth
Martin Sexton -Diner
Mason Jennings - Crown
Spoon - The Underdog and The Way We Get By
Tom Petty - American Girl

Great question btw. Answering it put me in a good mood.
posted by clearly at 11:06 PM on July 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

I have a playlist just for warm-weather driving! My all-time favorite happy song for summer is "Sun," by Toms.

Some of the other songs on the list:
"From Blown Speakers" and "Sing Me Spanish Techno," The New Pornographers
"Lalaland," Sea Ray
"I Hear the Bells," Mike Doughty
"Time Bomb," Old 97s
"Sculpture Garden," Semisonic
"Down in the Valley," The Broken West
"Never Even Told Me Her Name," Air Traffic
posted by serialcomma at 11:09 PM on July 16, 2008 [2 favorites]

I made a pandora radio station by entering a ton of these suggestions, and I have to say, it is totally awesome..... and now I'm going to go broke buying songs up for my ipod
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:20 PM on July 16, 2008

Other songs it's given me not mentioned here:

Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Jim Croce
Mickey
Our Lips Are Sealed, the Go-Gos.
Little Pink Houses, John Mellencamp

(if anyone wants the station, mail me)
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:33 PM on July 16, 2008

Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda
posted by juv3nal at 11:44 PM on July 16, 2008

Of course, Walkin' on Sunshine!
posted by bendy at 11:58 PM on July 16, 2008

I have done hours long radio shows on this theme, but since it's late, I'm going to post the only track you really need.

Muscles - Ice Cream
posted by phrontist at 12:07 AM on July 17, 2008

So many 80s songs! I think there's something about those synthesizers that release dopamine.. or something.. in the brain. Also, a good power pop song has a similar effect.

Greenberry Woods - Oh Janine
Daniel Johnston - Love Wheel
The Lightning Seeds - Pure
Madness - House Of Fun
The Posies - Dream All Day
Todd Rundgren - I Saw The Light
The Stone Poneys - Different Drum
Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
XTC - Science Friction
posted by Mael Oui at 12:37 AM on July 17, 2008

I Want You Back, Graham Parker (fave) or Jackson 5
posted by artdrectr at 12:45 AM on July 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

And of course. In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
posted by Neiltupper at 1:27 AM on July 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Sonny J - Can't Stop Moving
posted by patricio at 2:46 AM on July 17, 2008

The Hooters - I'm Alive.

It's all about being happy with life. "I’m feeling Christmas in the middle of July."
posted by sascha at 3:51 AM on July 17, 2008

Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes by Kevin Ayers
Ain't That Enough by Teenage Fanclub (starts about 0:20)
These Boots Were Made for Waling by Nancy Sinatra
Beware Of the Flowers Cause I'm Sure They're Going to Get You (Yeah) by John Otway
Get Over You by the Undertones
Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba
Tomber La Chemise by Zebda

Overtures for Italian operas can be great too: try The Thieving Magpie or The Barber of Seville.
posted by rongorongo at 4:19 AM on July 17, 2008

Except for the Sly, Commodores and
Earth, Wind and Fire suggestions upthread, I can't believe nobody has put a heapin' helpin' of funk on your summer plate:
George Clinton and Parliament Funkedelic belong in every party car. When James Brown sings I Feel Good, who doesn't? Fire by the Ohio Players ought to go in there, too, just for the goofy laughs.
posted by paulsc at 4:39 AM on July 17, 2008

Wow, this is already a killer playlist and a half. If you finish listening to all that, get a copy of Animal Collective's "Strawberry Jam" and Panda Bear's "Person Pitch."
posted by LSK at 5:12 AM on July 17, 2008

Venga Boys. Lots of Venga Boys.
posted by inigo2 at 5:32 AM on July 17, 2008

This is pretty silly, but The Bangles' Walk Like an Egyptian has always seemed pretty chipper to me!
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 6:47 AM on July 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

And he wouldn't agree, I'm sure, but Zappa's Peaches En Regalia never fails to please.

(Crappy video but great great music.)
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 6:54 AM on July 17, 2008

"Unwritten" — Natasha Bedengfield
"Wave on Wave" — Pat Green
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" — Mary Poppins soundtrack
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" — Jimmy Buffet
"Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" — The Beatles
"Life Is a Highway" — Tom Cochrane OR Rascal Flatts (I like both versions)
"You Can't Hurry Love" — Diana Ross and the Supremes OR Phil Collins
"I Saw Her Again Last Night" — The Mamas and the Papas
"Cecilia" — Simon and Garfunkel
"You Can Call Me Al" — Paul Simon
"I Get Around," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Sloop John B," "Barbara Ann," and "Good Vibrations" — The Beach Boys

And if you're interested in classical suggestions, the fourth movement ("Ode to Joy") of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 7:39 AM on July 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

Mint Royale, "Show Me"
The happiest song I own, hands down.
posted by queseyo at 7:56 AM on July 17, 2008

Songs that take me to my happy place are:

Rollerskate - Call and Response
We're Going Out - Spearmint
Digital Love - Daft Punk
Soft and Wet - Prince
Ain't Looking Closely - Tift Merritt
C'mon Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
Dave Brubeck - Strange Meadowlark (esp. that Desmond solo!)
My Old School - Steely Dan
Lemon Merinque Pie - Jeremy Fisher
Islands in the Stream - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
Carnival - Cardigans
Just One Look - Linda Ronstadt
posted by i_love_squirrels at 8:27 AM on July 17, 2008

Louie Armstrong: "What a Wonderful World"
posted by dinger at 10:09 AM on July 17, 2008

Almost forgot one of my absolute favorite feel-good songs:

Bonde Do Role - Solta O Frango

No idea what they're singing about exactly, but it's good energy and puts a smile on my face.
posted by jabberjaw at 10:35 AM on July 17, 2008

I'M FEELING SO F*CKIN' FINE

Most things by Tilly and the Wall

Walk in the Park by Oh No! Oh My! (First Link)
posted by shadowfelldown at 10:37 AM on July 17, 2008

My current ABSOLUTE favorite is The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls and someone already mentioned the Hooters, but you also have to take a listen to the ultra-happy And We Danced.

Absolutely LOVE this thread. I'm takin' notes!!
posted by Spyder's Game at 11:12 AM on July 17, 2008

Here are my current fun and happy songs!

For the Girl by the Fratellis

Bang on the Piano by Jack McManus

She's so Lovely by Scouting for Girls

I'm a Man - Spencer Davis Group

New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

Happy Hour by the Housemartins

In the Morning by The Coral

Hooray for British pop!
posted by triggerfinger at 11:13 AM on July 17, 2008

Julian Cope: World Shut Your Mouth and Beautiful Love
posted by snofoam at 11:31 AM on July 17, 2008

It's a bit more blissed out summertime rather than high energy, but Italians Ex-Otago's cover of The Rhythm of the Night is a winner
posted by patricio at 12:21 PM on July 17, 2008

Robert Randolph - Ain't Nothing Wrong With That : So upbeat it's almost impossible to not tap your toes (or flap your wings.)

Cardigans - Love Fool : I'm enamored with this song because whenever it comes up after listening to a bout of Corosion of Conformity and Ministry it confuses the hell out of the passengers in my car. Also, it's adorable.

Letters to Cleo - Here and Now : For pretty much the same reasons as the Cardigans song.

(hed) PE - Don't Let Me Down : this one is a bit of surprise because normally their stuff is pretty abrasive, but this one is really fun and happy.
posted by quin at 2:26 PM on July 17, 2008

Jump - Van Halen always makes me feel ludicrously upbeat.

Also the The Boys of Summer by Don Henley...
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 2:47 PM on July 17, 2008

late to this party, but there is an overlooked gem on mefi music called city walls and empires which is one of my favorite songs on the black and really just perfect for summer.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 6:35 PM on July 17, 2008

The Go! Team - Huddle Formation
posted by ifjuly at 9:19 AM on July 18, 2008

.MX-80 - "More Than Good" ("you can go astray/it's ok/there's more to life than being good!")
.Wire - "I Feel Mysterious Today," their cover of "Just Don't Care," and most of Pink Flag (particularly "Brazil" and "Start To Move")
.Captain Beefheart - "Frownland" ("My smile is stuck/I cannot go back to your frownland")
.Like, all of the Elephant 6 bands. I'd recommend The Olivia Tremor Control's Dusk at Cubist Castle and Of Montreal's Cherry Peel ("Tim, I Wish You Were Born A Girl," "Springtime Is The Season," "I Was Watching Your Eyes")...Maybe The Gay Parade too.
.Pylon - "Read A Book"
.Melt Banana! Boredoms.
.Blondie!
.Devo
.The Slits. The Bush Tetras. Y Pants.
.Mission Of Burma - "Max Ernst" (...a band I should be hearing in Chicago right!now! but am not, sigh. Hey, same goes for Public Enemy!)
.Eric Masunaga from the 90s-era poppy rock band The Dambuilders had a music label for a while, Sealed Fate, that was loaded with shimmery, poppy love song-type bands that all sounded like summer fun. The Push Kings (find "Macy Macy" if you can), The Fly Seville. Other similar bands not on that label include Poole, The Lilys, and Muler.
.James Brown. Sam Cooke.
posted by ifjuly at 10:35 AM on July 18, 2008

Freezepop's Stakeout.
posted by dmd at 12:38 PM on July 18, 2008

Hell, Freezepop's anything.
posted by dmd at 12:39 PM on July 18, 2008

Better to get these from emusic or somewhere, and play at maximum volume.

Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Happy

Archers of Loaf - Web in Front

M83 - Fields, Shorelines and Hunters (it goes with the track that follows it on the album "*")

Bloc Party - Waiting For The 7.18

Tokyo Police Club - Be Good

Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler

Silversun Pickups - Common Reactor

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Head On
posted by plexi at 1:40 PM on July 18, 2008

can't believe I'm the only one thinkin Groove is in the Heart oughtta be here somewhere
posted by Redhush at 5:33 PM on July 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

Redhush,
Absolutely!
posted by lukemeister at 7:53 PM on July 18, 2008

I just remembered one more.. days later! And I came on over here just to say 'S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. Nights!' Bay City Rollers? And, have you seriously considered Cheap Trick because you should never feel anything but happy listening to many of their songs.
posted by Mael Oui at 1:08 AM on July 19, 2008

Some "days later" additions from me too:

"Jungle Love" — The Steve Miller Band
"For Once in My Life" — Stevie Wonder
"Birdhouse in Your Soul" — They Might Be Giants
"Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" — Billy Ocean
"I Want You to Want Me" — Cheap Trick
"My Town" — Montgomery Gentry
"Rio" — Duran Duran
"The Middle" — Jimmy Eats World
"The River of Dreams" — Billy Joel
"The Impression That I Get" — The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
"If I Had a Hammer" — Peter, Paul & Mary
"Radio" — Smash Mouth
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 11:39 AM on July 19, 2008

Teenage Head - Total Love (Frantic City)....if you have any plans to drive the back roads of the Niagara peninsula with your lights off some night this summer.
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:14 PM on July 22, 2008

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
posted by porn in the woods at 3:00 PM on July 23, 2008

late, but...

Go Places by The New Pornographers
Doing the Unstuck by The Cure
We're All Light by XTC
My Little Blue Window by Elvis Costello
A Pillar Of Salt by The Thermals
I'll Be You by The Replacements
The Opposite Of Hallelujah by Jens Lekman
Rainy Monday by Shiny Toy Guns

nthing:
Happy by Ned's Atomic Dustbin
American Girl by Tom Petty
Head On by The J+MC
posted by jacquilinala at 12:23 AM on July 24, 2008

Rebirth Brass Band
posted by Alabaster at 7:39 AM on July 27, 2008

cub
(sorry so late)
posted by rux at 6:07 PM on July 28, 2008

Mountain Goats, anyone?
posted by puckish at 6:19 PM on August 21, 2008