Comments on: What's your favorite happy summertime high energy tune?

Question: What's your favorite happy summertime high energy tune?

dpx.mfx — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:17:36 -0800

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.

By: jedicus

jedicus — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:26:53 -0800

It's a Great Day to be Alive, by Travis Tritt.

By: NoraCharles

NoraCharles — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:27:04 -0800

"Soak up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow

By: josher71

josher71 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:27:54 -0800

Chumbawamba's "Show Business", their live album, always does it for me.

By: josher71

josher71 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:28:43 -0800

Oh, look for "Mouthful of shit" and "Timebomb".

By: farishta

farishta — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:29:26 -0800

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.

By: namewithoutwords

namewithoutwords — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:30:47 -0800

The Aquabats - Look at Me (I'm a Winner)!

By: escabeche

escabeche — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:30:50 -0800

"Odditty" by the Clean, happiest song of all time.

By: Ike_Arumba

Ike_Arumba — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:31:46 -0800

"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.

By: acidic

acidic — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:34:13 -0800

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

By: diamondsky

diamondsky — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:36:18 -0800

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)

By: dpx.mfx

dpx.mfx — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:37:38 -0800

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

By: Adam_S

Adam_S — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:37:57 -0800

I'm from Barcelona - We're from Barcelona

You'll either sing along all day or throw up.

By: Fuzzy Skinner

Fuzzy Skinner — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:38:52 -0800

Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads. You might be able to skip 2 or 3 slower songs, but I never do.

By: metahawk

metahawk — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:39:20 -0800

upbeat Carpenter songs from the 70's. "Sing A song" jumps to mind but they had a bunch.

By: CrunchyFrog

CrunchyFrog — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:39:22 -0800

Most anything by Shonen Knife.
The majority of the songs I've heard from Aqua.

By: Navelgazer

Navelgazer — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:40:48 -0800

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

By: orange swan

orange swan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:41:25 -0800

Check out this old thread of mine.

By: dpx.mfx

dpx.mfx — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:42:48 -0800

(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).

By: nickhb

nickhb — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:43:00 -0800

Anything by Holiday Parade

By: dpx.mfx

dpx.mfx — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:43:51 -0800

Orange swan -- thank you! I did search, I swear, thinking there had to be a thread but that didn't come up for me.

By: saraswati

saraswati — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:44:42 -0800

Right now my summer song is Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good. I highly recommend that whole album - Elephant Shell.

By: Bookhouse

Bookhouse — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:45:13 -0800

Marlena Shaw's version of California Soul, played loud.

By: phunniemee

phunniemee — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:48:34 -0800

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.

By: kimdog

kimdog — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:49:19 -0800

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

By: bricoleur

bricoleur — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:51:46 -0800

Lemon Jelly!

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:52:28 -0800

The Beat Farmers, "Happy Boy"
Boo Radleys, "Wake Up Boo"
World Party, "Way Down Now"

By: CrunchyFrog

CrunchyFrog — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:54:20 -0800

Lollipop by The Chordettes.

By: jus7brea7he

jus7brea7he — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:54:30 -0800

"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

By: mds35

mds35 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:55:04 -0800

a-hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba-hubba!

By: Stonestock Relentless

Stonestock Relentless — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:56:05 -0800

Another Day
Lover <-- ignore the video, it's just the only thing i could easily find

By: wannalol

wannalol — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:00:22 -0800

Bob Sinclair - Love Generation
The Undertones - Here Comes The Summer
Las Ketchup - The Ketchup Song

By: trillian

trillian — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:04:54 -0800

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

By: rossination

rossination — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:06:47 -0800

"St. Louis Blues" -- Peter Cincotti

By: jabberjaw

jabberjaw — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:08:45 -0800

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)

By: theiconoclast31

theiconoclast31 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:15:57 -0800

Blur - "Song 2"
Cloud Cult - "Please Remain Calm"
Flight Of The Conchords - "The Prince of Parties"
Cloud Cult - "It's What You Need"

By: Bunglegirl

Bunglegirl — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:18:24 -0800

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

By: jockc

jockc — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:19:01 -0800

Fingerbib has always struck me as cheerful.

By: Navelgazer

Navelgazer — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:19:17 -0800

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

By: scody

scody — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:19:59 -0800

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

By: The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew

The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:20:04 -0800

How Bizarre - OMC

By: merocet

merocet — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:21:55 -0800

Pizzicato Five
New Radicals
McAlmont and Butler

By: amethysts

amethysts — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:23:34 -0800

Thirding The Go! Team.. matches your description to a T, and there's 2 albums worth of songs to choose from.

By: the littlest brussels sprout

the littlest brussels sprout — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:24:14 -0800

Mr. Maker -- The Kooks
Don't Stop Me Now -- Queen

By: photomusic86

photomusic86 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:25:45 -0800

Try Grace Kelly and Lollipop, both by Mika

By: OneOliveShort

OneOliveShort — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:29:24 -0800

"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!

By: Solon and Thanks

Solon and Thanks — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:29:46 -0800

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.

By: chez shoes

chez shoes — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:43:06 -0800

It Must Be Summer, by Fountains of Wayne.

By: headnsouth

headnsouth — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:44:10 -0800

The Partridge Family!

Also NRBQ.

And Squeeze.

Locally I like the Geckos and Last Train Home. Good road-trip music all around.

By: hazel

hazel — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:51:17 -0800

The Fragile Army (album) by the Polyphonic Spree

By: Bunglegirl

Bunglegirl — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:53:51 -0800

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

By: gteffertz

gteffertz — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:54:43 -0800

Ozomatli Como Ves

By: deCadmus

deCadmus — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:59:34 -0800

U2: Beautiful Day

By: waitangi

waitangi — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:07:46 -0800

Girls on My Mind by David Byrne.

Seconding Shonen Knife.

If you can find some Pee Shy, they're pretty fun.

By: that girl

that girl — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:12:30 -0800

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.

By: citron

citron — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:15:33 -0800

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

Pavement Range Life

cosign: MGMT Electric Feel

By: mmascolino

mmascolino — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:16:44 -0800

Shiny Happy People

By: maloon

maloon — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:17:32 -0800

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

By: crazycanuck

crazycanuck — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:18:13 -0800

Almost anything Fantastic Plastic Machine. Try Take Me To The Disco or the Luxury Theme.

By: yeoja

yeoja — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:23:04 -0800

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

By: dropkick queen

dropkick queen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:31:45 -0800

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"

By: miss lynnster

miss lynnster — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:32:50 -0800

Harry Belafonte. Plus a bunch of songs other people have already named.

By: tomble

tomble — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:34:06 -0800

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.

By: Oriole Adams

Oriole Adams — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:43:55 -0800

Beautiful Sunday by Daniel Boone.

By: acorncup

acorncup — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:46:08 -0800

Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine.

By: ArgentCorvid

ArgentCorvid — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:48:14 -0800

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.

By: and for no one

and for no one — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:19:24 -0800

Tori Amos Bouncing off Clouds

By: The ____ of Justice

The ____ of Justice — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:32:22 -0800

Dragostea Din Tei by Ozone (aka that Numanuma song)

I Love L.A. by Randy Newman

By: nooneyouknow

nooneyouknow — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:34:12 -0800

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

By: forthright

forthright — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:43:58 -0800

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 (;-)

By: arnicae

arnicae — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:53:14 -0800

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

Innocence Mission
The Be Good Tanyas

By: Tenuki

Tenuki — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:53:52 -0800

Feeling Good, Nina Simone

By: jejune

jejune — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:55:43 -0800

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.

By: greta simone

greta simone — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:56:53 -0800

Definitely Super Furry Animals.

By: vytae

vytae — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:01:27 -0800

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

By: yeoja

yeoja — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:12:04 -0800

Balloons, by DBSK

Because what's happier than a Korean boy band dressed up as stuffed animals, singing about loving balloons?

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:13:06 -0800

Float On by Modest Mouse.

By: crinklebat

crinklebat — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:27:06 -0800

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.

By: clearly

clearly — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:06:00 -0800

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.

By: serialcomma

serialcomma — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:09:15 -0800

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

By: dpx.mfx

dpx.mfx — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:20:28 -0800

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

By: dpx.mfx

dpx.mfx — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:33:03 -0800

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)

By: juv3nal

juv3nal — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:44:37 -0800

Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda

By: bendy

bendy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:58:54 -0800

Of course, Walkin' on Sunshine!

By: phrontist

phrontist — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:07:01 -0800

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

By: Mael Oui

Mael Oui — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:37:33 -0800

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

By: artdrectr

artdrectr — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:45:48 -0800

I Want You Back, Graham Parker (fave) or Jackson 5

By: Neiltupper

Neiltupper — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:27:48 -0800

And of course. In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry

By: patricio

patricio — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:46:27 -0800

Sonny J - Can't Stop Moving

By: sascha

sascha — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:51:29 -0800

The Hooters - I'm Alive.

It's all about being happy with life. "I'm feeling Christmas in the middle of July."

By: rongorongo

rongorongo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:19:44 -0800

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.

By: paulsc

paulsc — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:39:01 -0800

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.

By: LSK

LSK — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:12:42 -0800

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."

By: inigo2

inigo2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:32:29 -0800

Venga Boys. Lots of Venga Boys.

By: Guy_Inamonkeysuit

Guy_Inamonkeysuit — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:47:45 -0800

This is pretty silly, but The Bangles' Walk Like an Egyptian has always seemed pretty chipper to me!

By: Guy_Inamonkeysuit

Guy_Inamonkeysuit — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:54:55 -0800

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

(Crappy video but great great music.)

By: DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:39:09 -0800

"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.

By: queseyo

queseyo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:56:51 -0800

Mint Royale, "Show Me"
The happiest song I own, hands down.

By: i_love_squirrels

i_love_squirrels — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:27:34 -0800

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

By: dinger

dinger — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:09:12 -0800

Louie Armstrong: "What a Wonderful World"

By: jabberjaw

jabberjaw — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:35:29 -0800

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.

By: shadowfelldown

shadowfelldown — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:37:11 -0800

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)

By: Spyder's Game

Spyder's Game — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:12:23 -0800

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!!

By: triggerfinger

triggerfinger — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:13:39 -0800

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!

By: snofoam

snofoam — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:31:24 -0800

Julian Cope: World Shut Your Mouth and Beautiful Love

By: patricio

patricio — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:21:17 -0800

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

By: quin

quin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:26:57 -0800

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.

By: Rufus T. Firefly

Rufus T. Firefly — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:47:03 -0800

Jump - Van Halen always makes me feel ludicrously upbeat.

Also the The Boys of Summer by Don Henley...

By: sergeant sandwich

sergeant sandwich — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:35:00 -0800

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.

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:19:33 -0800

The Go! Team - Huddle Formation

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:35:10 -0800

.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.

By: dmd

dmd — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:38:43 -0800

Freezepop's Stakeout.

By: dmd

dmd — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:39:04 -0800

Hell, Freezepop's anything.

By: plexi

plexi — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:40:23 -0800

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

By: Redhush

Redhush — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:33:00 -0800

can't believe I'm the only one thinkin Groove is in the Heart oughtta be here somewhere

By: lukemeister

lukemeister — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:53:10 -0800

Redhush,
Absolutely!

By: Mael Oui

Mael Oui — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:08:14 -0800

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.

By: DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:39:46 -0800

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

By: bonobothegreat

bonobothegreat — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:14:47 -0800

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.

By: porn in the woods

porn in the woods — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:00:35 -0800

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

By: jacquilinala

jacquilinala — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:23:07 -0800

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

By: Alabaster

Alabaster — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:39:05 -0800

Rebirth Brass Band

By: rux

rux — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:07:57 -0800

cub
(sorry so late)

By: puckish

puckish — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:19:43 -0800

Mountain Goats, anyone?