Joy Inducing Playlist
September 9, 2012 6:00 PM   Subscribe

What songs sound like joy to you?

I've been given a challenge. Make a mix cd including music spanning the decades which "sound like joy".

The examples given are modern but older songs are great, too. For example, The Shins - Simple Song, Guillemots - Trains to Brazil, Imagine Dragons - It's Time.

So, what songs sound like joy and just make you happy?
posted by heavenstobetsy to Media & Arts (133 answers total) 103 users marked this as a favorite
 
The final movement of Beethoven's 9th. The segment is flat-out called "Ode To Joy."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:03 PM on September 9, 2012 [8 favorites]


Omiya
posted by HopperFan at 6:03 PM on September 9, 2012


The Polyphonic Spree, "Light and Day."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:10 PM on September 9, 2012 [3 favorites]


"Strawberry Letter 23" by the Brothers Johnson.
posted by ROTFL at 6:11 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Sigur Ros - "Se Lest"
Garmarna - "Viridissima Virga"
posted by thylacinthine at 6:14 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


A Million Years, by Alexander

Hesitating Beauty, by Wilco and Woody Guthrie and possibly Billy Bragg
posted by Flunkie at 6:15 PM on September 9, 2012


You may want to look at the responses to this question.

If not, I will repeat my suggestion here: Fascination by Alphabeat.
posted by danb at 6:16 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Our House, Crosby Stills Nash and Young
posted by Flunkie at 6:17 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Daylight
posted by sanka at 6:20 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


art blakey/jazz messengers, a la mode (1961)
patrick moraz & bill bruford, temple of joy (1985)
posted by facetious at 6:25 PM on September 9, 2012


Come Together
posted by pompomtom at 6:26 PM on September 9, 2012


Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe, by Okkervil River
posted by dysh at 6:26 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


I'll probably come back and post more when I've the time, but my favorite song to listen to on the first spring day of the year is Finch on Saturday by Horse Feathers. The opening violin is just super happy sounding.
posted by FirstMateKate at 6:28 PM on September 9, 2012


Don't You Worry Bout a Thing and I Love Everything About You, both by Stevie Wonder.
posted by tristeza at 6:31 PM on September 9, 2012


The song that does it for me every time is Mint Royale's Show Me.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 6:32 PM on September 9, 2012


R&B:
Best of My Love
September
posted by nakedmolerats at 6:32 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Go Do by Jonsi
posted by bunglin jones at 6:32 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


"oh Happy Day" and other songs in the African American gospel tradition.
posted by bearette at 6:33 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Joy to the World by Three Dog Night.
posted by annsunny at 6:33 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Orinoco Flow, certainly.
posted by thisclickableme at 6:38 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Kites Are Fun, The Free Design
posted by Infinity_8 at 6:39 PM on September 9, 2012


Sweet Thing - Van Morrison
posted by hangashore at 6:40 PM on September 9, 2012


Dvorak, Slavonic Dances #1 and 7.
posted by dilettante at 6:44 PM on September 9, 2012


"Perfect Day" by Hoku

"I'm in the race but I've already won -- and getting there is just half the fun."
posted by spunweb at 6:45 PM on September 9, 2012


Let's Groove Tonight, or practically any other song by EW&F.
posted by missmobtown at 6:48 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


2nding the Jonsi, plus Snapshot by the art of noise, Vul'indlela by Brenda fassie, roller-skate by matias guayano, check it out by Nicky minaj, Zulu war chant by afrika bambaataa, roman p by psychic tv, good life by inner city, jump by kriss kross, yeah by LCD soundsystem, flagpole Sitta by Harvey danger, tusk by fleetwood Mac, word up by cameo,
posted by chr1sb0y at 6:48 PM on September 9, 2012


Beatles, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Bach, Sinfonia to Cantata 29 and Brandenburg Concerto 3, Movement III (Allegro)especially Wendy Carlos' versions
The Roches, Hallelujah Chorus
Bowie's cover of Let's Spend the Night Together

On preview, seconding Hoku.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 6:49 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


In Dulci Jubilo, Mike Oldfield. This song made me dance around the house from sheer joy as a little girl. It still makes me happy on the inside every time I hear it.
posted by Requiax at 6:51 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Bad link = no joy
posted by missmobtown at 6:51 PM on September 9, 2012


Big time sensuality.
posted by smoke at 6:54 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]




I feel like it's been used for a lot of commercials over the years, but Mr. Blue Sky by ELO still does it for me.
posted by smirkyfodder at 6:56 PM on September 9, 2012 [7 favorites]


Si Paloma - Sun Kil Moon
posted by vakker at 6:58 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Walking on Sunshine
posted by tdismukes at 6:59 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Joy is so subjective .. situational .. my joy could make you cry, depending on your past.
Still, try this: Traffic's You Can All Join In
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8jua-2XcXA
posted by LonnieK at 7:00 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


The Features' "Blow It Out"
posted by limeonaire at 7:02 PM on September 9, 2012


I have a few suggestions.

I'm Gonna Be (500) Miles - The Proclaimers

California - Joni Mitchell

Australia - The Shins

Dimanche a Bamako - Amadou et Mariam

Finest Worksong - REM

My Own Face Inside the Trees - The Clientele

The True Wheel - Brian Eno

The version of "Shelter From the Storm" from Hard Rain - Bob Dylan

Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
posted by clockzero at 7:03 PM on September 9, 2012 [3 favorites]


Lemon Jelly's Nice Weather for Ducks never fails to make me smile. And want to dance a little bit.
posted by rebekah at 7:03 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Do You Believe in Magic? by the Loving Spoonful. I cannot help but dance gleefully when this song comes on. Also, if you want to include Broadway, several of the songs from Hairspray - especially You Can't Stop the Beat.
posted by luciernaga at 7:04 PM on September 9, 2012


Stompy Jones, by Duke Ellington with Johnny Hodges and Sweets Edison. It begins exquisitely tasty, with solos on alto sax, trumpet and guitar, then Duke solos beginning with restraint but ending with ferocious pounding, and then it ends with everyone riffing behind Sweets on trumpet for an ecstatic finish.
posted by wdenton at 7:05 PM on September 9, 2012


Mighty Real by Sylvester.
How can you NOT feel happy while listening to it? :)
posted by seawallrunner at 7:07 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


I Believe in a Thing Called Love. And, for something totally different - Fade into You. Yes, I am a girl.
posted by cairdeas at 7:08 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


This Must be the Place by Talking Heads
posted by okay-quiet-time at 7:10 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhQkuc5mJyo

Spacesuit, by They Might be Giants. Instrumental, but it makes me smile!
posted by tomble at 7:14 PM on September 9, 2012


Accidently Kelly Street by Frente!


posted by insomniax at 7:25 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Flowers in the Window by Travis.
posted by shinynewnick at 7:31 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Operation Ground and Pound by Dragonforce.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 7:32 PM on September 9, 2012


Fresh by Daft Punk
posted by jenmakes at 7:36 PM on September 9, 2012


Two XTC songs, both from Oranges and Lemons:
King for a Day
Mayor of Simpleton
posted by schrodycat at 7:38 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Also Beer, Beer by Korpiklaani. Actually, most of Korpiklaani's catalog, now that I think about it.

Note: My joy may tend to be more manic and stompy than the joy of others.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 7:43 PM on September 9, 2012


A bunch of my suggestions have already been covered. I'd also add:
The Village People's "Go West" (also covered by Pet Shop Boys)
Indigo Girls' "Hammer and a Nail" is great "get up and do something" song.
"No Time at All" from "Pippin"

Does classical count? Holst's "Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity" is one of the most joyous pieces of music I've heard.
posted by rmd1023 at 7:49 PM on September 9, 2012


Gustav Holst's Jupiter, from The Planets symphony.
posted by fings at 7:51 PM on September 9, 2012


My Girl by The Temptations
Save the Last Dance For Me by The Drifters

And in a totally different style, Uff Teri Ada from the movie Karthik Calling Karthik.
posted by GilvearSt at 7:52 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


You have never seen so many people having so much fun making weird noises and faces - Tune-yards 'Bizness'
posted by slow graffiti at 7:52 PM on September 9, 2012


Rank one- airwave
posted by empath at 8:00 PM on September 9, 2012




Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson came to mind immediately!
posted by smirkette at 8:05 PM on September 9, 2012


Stevie Wonder, Sir Duke
posted by pickypicky at 8:07 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


It is Accomplished by Peter Gabriel off of the sountrack for The Last Temptation of Christ. I'm not Christian, not even a little, but the music tells you that something momentus and wonderful has happened, and damn, it's great.
posted by Ghidorah at 8:09 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Someone wanna make a spotify of this?
posted by k8t at 8:11 PM on September 9, 2012




Feelin' Good by Nina Simone.
posted by tomboko at 8:13 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Neno Itome by Marksun & Brian. This may have as much to do with my memory of dancing in the desert as the sun comes up and feeling like oh my god life is beautiful as it does with the actual music, but man, it still makes me want to explode with happiness
posted by Mars Saxman at 8:19 PM on September 9, 2012


Everything's Coming Our Way by Santana
posted by Slater Sheldahl at 8:25 PM on September 9, 2012


It's an instrumental, and I'm not entirely certain Dean Wareham is capable of feeling this "joy" emotion, but Galaxie 500 - Instrumental always makes me super, super happy.
posted by heurtebise at 8:29 PM on September 9, 2012


Seconding "It Is Accomplished", with great enthusiasm.

Adding: Dave Matthews Band, Stay. (Live, if you can.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:31 PM on September 9, 2012


Sigur Ros - Glosoli. You've gotta wait for the crashing, glorious climax.
Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

And this is probably really cliche, but U2's Beautiful Day.
posted by yasaman at 8:32 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


"Heaven" by Bettie Serveert
"Echos Myron" and "Surgical Focus" by Guided by Voices
"Heart Grenade" by The Incurables
"This Is All I Came to Do by Dinosaur Jr.
"Sucked Out" by Superdrag
"Hermetically Sealed" by The Blind Eyes
"Take Me Over" by Cut Copy
"Open Road Song" by Eve 6
"Mean to Me" by Crowded House
"Crazy Times" by Jars of Clay
"Teenage Riot" by Sonic Youth
"1979" and "Today" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Wonder" by Natalie Merchant
"King of the World" by Super 8
"Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" by Squeeze
"Go All the Way" by The Raspberries
"Liquid Sunshine" by Parliament
"Tennessee" by Sugarland
"Strange Currencies" by R.E.M.
"I Believe (When I Fall in Love)" by Stevie Wonder
"You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
"Car" by Built to Spill
posted by limeonaire at 8:32 PM on September 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


Treehouse by I'm from Barcelona.

Most of their stuff, really.

Just reading this thread makes me happy
posted by itesser at 8:38 PM on September 9, 2012


Koop ft. Yukimi Nagano - Summer Sun
posted by cashman at 8:55 PM on September 9, 2012


Sundazed to the Core by Bettie Serveert. Starts off slow, gets all joyous rocking.

Thanks, limeonaire, for reminding me of them.
posted by Ghidorah at 8:56 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]




oh, another one: Shpongle - Around the World in a Tea Daze.

this is one of those tracks I'm reluctant to play very often for fear it will lose its magic, because it is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard and never fails to make me feel... well it makes me cry sometimes, it's just so gorgeous, let me put it that way.
posted by Mars Saxman at 9:00 PM on September 9, 2012


Bright Side of the Road, Van Morrison
posted by lois1950 at 9:18 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Synchronicity 1, The Police
posted by fuse theorem at 9:48 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]




Is Sun Ra perhaps a little too on the nose?

Stevie Wonder - For Once in My Life
Jorge Ben - Caramba
posted by hydrophonic at 10:01 PM on September 9, 2012


Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root.
posted by swerve at 10:02 PM on September 9, 2012


The Beatles: Here Comes the Sun
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:43 PM on September 9, 2012


Jill Cagney - Rain
posted by hick57 at 10:50 PM on September 9, 2012




Summertime by The Sundays.
Morning by Edvard Grieg.

(Don't know how to insert a link to music on here, otherwise I would have :)
posted by readygo at 11:06 PM on September 9, 2012


Pretty much all of Bach, especially works for organ.

Slightly newer:
Laurie Anderson - O Superman
Art of Noise - Backbeat
Aphex Twin - Heliosphan
Orbital - Remind
Plastikman - Plasticity
Transform - Transformation
Loscil - Halcyon

Answers that are characteristic enough to perfectly predict all my other neural activity.
posted by ead at 11:46 PM on September 9, 2012 [1 favorite]


Island in the Sun - Weezer (This is the Spike Jonze clip Joy++).
posted by heyjude at 12:13 AM on September 10, 2012


Zap Mama - Mupepe
posted by iotic at 1:31 AM on September 10, 2012


Why Don't We Do It In The Road - The Beatles
posted by goo at 1:32 AM on September 10, 2012


Hadyn's Trumpet Concerto, 3rd Movement (allegro)
Super Mario Fanfare
posted by TrinsicWS at 1:50 AM on September 10, 2012


beautiful child - rufus wainwright
<3
posted by quiteliterally at 2:08 AM on September 10, 2012


Wear Your Love Like Heaven
posted by pracowity at 2:22 AM on September 10, 2012


Sign of the Times by Bryan Ferry. Besides the tune being sprightly and uplifting, I think the opening line "Here is a rainbow for your hair" is just sooo sweet and romantic....
posted by Oriole Adams at 2:39 AM on September 10, 2012




I've described Sigur Ross's "Hoppipolla" as a "musical blessing" for its habit of lending a beautiful, inspirational feel to already well-done videos. See, e.g., Planet Earth. Gets me every time.

Also: "Baba Yetu," the celebrated main theme for Civilization IV. A Swahili choral version of The Lord's Prayer, it won the first Grammy for a video game tune. See this rendition by a Tanzanian children's choir to see the joy in action.
posted by Rhaomi at 3:41 AM on September 10, 2012 [1 favorite]


The most purely joyful for me would be Dmitri Shostakovich, Prelude and Fugue N° 7 in A Major -- especially the fugue, which begins around 1:08 in this recording by Keith Jarrett. Ashkenazy's interpretation is also beautiful.

Certain songs make me feel joyful, but I suspect it has more to do with personal associations than with the actual sound of the thing:
Laura Nyro: Save the Country
Red Hot Chili Peppers: By the Way
Patti Smith: Beneath the Southern Cross
posted by Paris Elk at 5:10 AM on September 10, 2012


Nthing Edvard Grieg-Morning Mood, from Peer Gynt. Makes my heart happy!
posted by LaBellaStella at 5:16 AM on September 10, 2012


Oh yeah, and these:

Lennon/McCartney: Two of Us
Paul McCartney: Every Night
posted by Paris Elk at 5:17 AM on September 10, 2012


Apologies in advance for not having a clue how to make links for songs here...

Canto Alla Vita - Amici Forever
Vou Dar de Beber a Dor - Amalia Rodrigues
Boogie Wonderland - Earth Wind and Fire
Love Train - The O'Jays
Heroes - David Bowie
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Tempest - Jesse Cook

I' sure I'll think of others...these are just the ones that came to mind right away :)
posted by PlantGoddess at 5:51 AM on September 10, 2012


Can't link to the song from work, apologies.

"Fisherman's Blues" by The Waterboys.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:56 AM on September 10, 2012


Sunday Morning by Margo Guryan.
posted by cincinnatus c at 5:59 AM on September 10, 2012


For me it's Mumford and Sons Sigh No More and Elvis Perkins I Heard Your Voice in Dresden (not the best recording, though). Great question.
posted by lagreen at 6:30 AM on September 10, 2012


I defy anyone to listen to this song and not feel happy and hopeful about the future:

Borderline by Madonna
posted by timsneezed at 6:31 AM on September 10, 2012


Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate: Mamadou Boutiquier

Makes my heart sing.
posted by rahulrg at 6:35 AM on September 10, 2012


Also:

I want her she wants me by The Zombies

Waterloo Sunset by the Kinks
posted by timsneezed at 6:36 AM on September 10, 2012


Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole

For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder

I believe when I fall in love by Stevie Wonder
posted by timsneezed at 6:46 AM on September 10, 2012 [1 favorite]


One Day Like This by Elbow.
posted by Acheman at 7:04 AM on September 10, 2012


Manamana - The Muppets
posted by colfax at 7:25 AM on September 10, 2012 [1 favorite]


Bernadette by the Four Tops
posted by leotrotsky at 7:38 AM on September 10, 2012


Patio Song, by Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. Iechyd da!
posted by Yo Soy La Morsa at 8:43 AM on September 10, 2012


Upside Down by Paloma Faith is a lot of fun.
posted by trillian at 11:25 AM on September 10, 2012


I'd totally forgotten about this song and this question reminded me of it! Move Your Feet by Junior Senior.

And Apollo Throwdown by The Go! Team.
posted by TheWaves at 11:37 AM on September 10, 2012


"Stevie Wonder, "My Cherie Amour"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Gu-CyE-NQ

Crosby, Stills & Nash, "Marraksesh Express"

posted by holdenjordahl at 12:00 PM on September 10, 2012


outkast :Hey Ya
posted by drugstorefrog at 12:59 PM on September 10, 2012 [3 favorites]


Oh and Just Like Heaven - The Cure (and Lovecats + Friday I'm in Love - for sheer silly joy).
posted by heyjude at 1:16 PM on September 10, 2012 [2 favorites]


MGMT, Time to Pretend
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:05 PM on September 10, 2012


Get it Together, by The Go! Team
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:11 PM on September 10, 2012


“It” by Rich Aucoin
posted by boost ventilator at 4:25 PM on September 10, 2012


"Take My Breath Away" by Berlin
posted by timsneezed at 4:31 PM on September 10, 2012


"Free Nelson Mandela" by The Specials
posted by ravioli at 5:37 PM on September 10, 2012


"Beautiful Life" by Ace of Base
posted by Jonny Camaney at 5:47 PM on September 10, 2012




Going to Utrecht by the Moutain Goats. If you've never heard it before, give it at least until the two minute mark.
posted by dephlogisticated at 7:18 PM on September 10, 2012


Oh, I got another suggestion: Check out the album Yuck by Yuck. Pure pleasure.
posted by limeonaire at 8:41 PM on September 10, 2012


Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel
posted by hellojed at 9:57 PM on September 10, 2012


I felt like it, so I've compiled almost all of the songs here in a big fat Grooveshark playlist. (no Spotify where I live)

I hope this makes someone's day.
posted by rahulrg at 9:42 AM on September 11, 2012 [8 favorites]


swerve: "Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root."

I just wanted to be sure you didn't miss this one. :)
posted by kostia at 11:02 AM on September 11, 2012


I know I'm late to the party, but here are a few more:

Gold Panda - Quitter's Raga
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
Cocteau Twins - Iceblink Luck
House of Love - Love in a car
Hunters and Collectors - Throw your arms around me
Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook

BTW, love that Guillemots song too!
posted by piyushnz at 11:15 AM on September 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


Oh God yes, that Hunters and Collectors song! Absolutely!
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 12:29 PM on September 11, 2012 [1 favorite]


far and away: the Flaming Lips - Do You Realize??
posted by elephantsvanish at 7:06 PM on September 11, 2012 [5 favorites]


Rahulrg made my day (even more) joyous. Thank you.
posted by Paris Elk at 1:24 PM on September 12, 2012


No one has said Bruce Springsteen?!

Thunder Road, Glory Days, Waitin' on a Sunny Day, Promised Land ...
posted by Asparagus at 6:28 PM on September 13, 2012


Ride - Vapour Trail
Nirvana - Tourette's (live at Reading Festival 1992)
posted by wherever, whatever at 6:40 PM on September 13, 2012


Spotify Playlist
posted by schmod at 7:57 AM on September 14, 2012 [1 favorite]




I just thought of another one: Genius of Love by the Tom Tom Club.
posted by smirkyfodder at 5:25 AM on September 17, 2012


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