Happy, motivating song recs
March 3, 2017 5:35 AM   Subscribe

What are some upbeat songs you listen to when you're waking up or otherwise need to be energized? I've included my main rotation inside to give you an idea of what I already like. Though there's one song from Hedwig, please keep the show tunes to a minimum. Thanks!
posted by mermaidcafe to Media & Arts (22 answers total) 20 users marked this as a favorite
 
Right now I'm all about Barracuda by Heart - DUN-DIDDLE-DUN-DIDDLE-DUN-DIDDLE-DUN... BARRACUDA!!!!!!!

Oh yeah. That's the stuff for facing the day.
posted by matthew.alexander at 5:55 AM on March 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


Anything by Kishi Bashi works for me.
posted by minsies at 6:14 AM on March 3, 2017 [2 favorites]


Prince:

Kiss
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Uptown

The list goes on...
posted by Beardman at 6:28 AM on March 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


Anything by Frank Turner.
posted by headnsouth at 6:29 AM on March 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


B-52's -- Good Stuff

Put it on 11 and dance that mess around.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 6:33 AM on March 3, 2017


Can't Stop the Feeling (Timberlake)

All uptempo Earth Wind & Fire songs (September, In the Stone, Sing a Song, Shining Star)

The Middle (Jimmy Eat World)
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:16 AM on March 3, 2017


Response by poster: PS: I prefer recs that are in the indie rock realm. Sorry I forgot to state that outright; I'd hoped that my example songs might point there, but I should have just stated it.
posted by mermaidcafe at 7:33 AM on March 3, 2017


John Butler Trio, C'mon Now
Ted Leo, Bleeding Powers
Hellogoodbye, Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn
posted by holborne at 7:39 AM on March 3, 2017


Making Flippy Floppy - Talking Heads
The Sound Of Philadelphia - MFSB
Fanfare for the Common Man - EL&P
Street of Shame - Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
posted by Rob Rockets at 8:00 AM on March 3, 2017


All girl summer fun band. Especially Grizzly Bear.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:03 AM on March 3, 2017


Also I'm pretty sure this is why They Might Be Giants exist.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:13 AM on March 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


A couple of your examples are on my workout / get-up-&-go / ludicrously upbeat mix. Here a few others:

Modest Mouse, All Night Diner
Lemonheads, Style (“I’m not gonna not knock things down” is a favorite line of mine)
Stereolab, The Noise of Carpet
Camper Van Beethoven, Turquoise Jewelry
Squeeze, nearly anything from Singles but particularly Cool for Cats
posted by miles per flower at 8:14 AM on March 3, 2017


13yo REH really loved

Instant Karma
Money For Nothing (oh man that lead in)
Take The Long Way Home
Jam
Walking On The Sun (oh yes i did)
Cherry Cola
Spirit In The Sky
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 8:56 AM on March 3, 2017


Tokyo Police Club - Wait Up (Boots of Danger)

and watch the video, it has good dogs
posted by dismas at 9:47 AM on March 3, 2017


The Delicate Steve album Positive Force is like some kind of psychological balm to me. It motivates me and helps my anxiety drain away. I recommend specifically the song Tallest Heights, though Wally Wilder, Positive Force, and Afria Talks to You all seem to do the trick.
posted by sleeping bear at 10:15 AM on March 3, 2017


Distant Cousins - "Are You Ready (On Your Own)"

Vampire Weekend - "Worship You"
(and many other songs by Vampire Weekend)
posted by hydra77 at 10:21 AM on March 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


Especially lately....

New America, by Bad Religion
posted by Thistledown at 11:00 AM on March 3, 2017


How about:
Sleater-Kinney, A New Wave
Superchunk, Hyper Enough (or lots of other Superchunk songs, really)
Yo La Tengo, Big Day Coming
Jamie XX, Loud Places
posted by torridly at 11:43 AM on March 3, 2017


Are You What You Want to Be by Foster the People.
posted by delight at 12:23 PM on March 3, 2017


Arcade fire Wake up
posted by rux at 3:44 AM on March 4, 2017


Also, the hours Ali in the Jungle

Ok Go has some upbeat songs too.
posted by rux at 3:49 AM on March 4, 2017




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