The votes are still coming in for the songs that make you happy, so we’re going to keep this thread open for more additions. Remember, research says music changes our perception. To feel happy, listen to happy. If I had to pick my favorite happy songs, though, I’d have to ask ‘You mean right now?” My new ones today are “Point of Know Return” by Kansas, “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” by CSNY (I even sang along!) and “Freeway of Love” by Aretha Franklin. I always end with the song I consider New York City’s anthem during this time: “Back in the High Life Again.”
We’d love to learn which songs work for you, which bring up your happy memories, which make you smile, maybe even which ones you sing along to….and which get you through this challenging time.
Read the comments below and add your own. Maybe we can come up with a Quarantine Playlist? Let us know in the comments! Let’s jam!
Photo by Mohammad Metri on Unsplash
COMMENTS
41 responses to “Open Thread Continues: What Songs Make You Happy?”
I’ve had so many songs that inspired me or made me happy in different situations. They’re very different though – from The Beatles to Madonna or Lady Gaga. The one that cheers me up now is Raymix, Paulina Rubio – Tú Y Yo (I’m listening to it here https://f3mp3.com/playlist/25/track/586/ and you can find and download the whole playlist there too). It’s such a light and energetic track – exactly the thing that can lift your spirit.
I love so many songs that inspired me over the years. Beatles, Donovan, Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Vivaldi, Marvin Gaye, Gr Dead, The Sound of Music, Hendrix, Simon&Garfunkel, Well done trad Celtic tunes, Aretha Franklin, specifically recordings from Muscle Shoals, backed by The Swampers. On n on n on Clapton & Steve Winwood
Rise up , by Andra Day
Pandora radio- enjoy Leonard Cohen , Enya and Classical radio station. I choose the music depending on how I feel at the moment.
Nina Simone’s Feeling Good…oh my!
Pop/Rock: Just about anything by ELO (Electric Light Orchestra), the BeeGees, CCR (Credence Clearwater Revival), Chicago, Bon Jovi
Classical/Romantic: Symphonies of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony; Stravinsky’s Firebird; operas from Gluck to Wagner; Piano concertos of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff;
Renaissance Music of Praetorius and Schutz.
Folk music of Ireland and Greece.
I just love music!
Music of the Romantic period like Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Liszt. Yet, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman also resonate. On my I-tunes I have music from almost 1,000 years ago by Hildegard Von Bingen up to Brule and Blue Man Group.
La Marseillaise, French National Anthem (Fr/En). I am not French, but this always a stirring and happy song.
And, “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” by Satchmo
Louis Armstrong, ‘What a Wonderful World ‘
You are the sunshine of my life
IZ – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” ; “Best of Bonnie Raitt” and the “Pointer Sisters Greatest Hits!”
Still love High Hopes by Frank Sinatra to keep me going…something about the ant and the rubber plant! Amazing Grace for peace and calm..favortie version in Cherokee Native American.
Yo yo Ma , Bach Cello Suite #1 = peace for your mind
It isn’t a song, but it is music and it makes me happy (and gets me going!). Please Google “Top 5 Boogie Woogie Piano Performances!” YouTube.
My favorite ones now are Sona Joharteh Gambia Plays Live in Gambia, Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Frankie Beverly Before I Let You Go and Manu Dibango Soul Makousa. All definitely lift my spirits and get my body moving.
Are you an Afro-pop fan? I don’t know anyone besides myself.
Hey June
I love Afro House Music. Themba, Black Coffee, Black Motion are the best!
Today’s playlist: Earl Klugh-“Move” , “Aretha Sings the Blues”, Bonnie Rait- “Nick of Time”, Eagles-“Long Road out of Eden”, Randy Travis- “Passing Through. You name it…I probable have it. Enjoy. Be well…Be Safe.
Hallelujah – Pentatonix
Desperado – Linda Ronstadt
Layla – Eric Clapton
Sugar Magnolia – Grateful Dead
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – The Band
Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills & Nash
The sign of the times “Harry Styles”
What’s going on “ 4 Non Blondes” A
Happy Together (The Turtles)
Mo-Town, Bowie, Eurythmics, Roxie Music, Beatles, Phil Collins, 60’s – 70’s dance music, and relaxing mind music by Yellow Brick Cinema, Meditative Mind, and others.
What I listen to depends on my moods, naturally. There’s some good bondage music like that on Bondage Music Radio – Edition 200 mixed by Pornbugs’
Yeah, crazy title, but interesting back ground music when writing, meditating, or doing the wild thing with your love, which I’m sure most folks are doing now that we’re “Locked Down”. I’d like to thank everyone who’ve posted and turned me on to new music, groups, I haven’t listened to before. You’re wonderful.
Thanks again;
Richard
Listening to “The Body Guard” Soundtrack album-Whitney Houston. I surround myself with music ever day when not watching TV. It energizes, motivates and sooths me according to the mood I am in during any given day.
Peace Piece – Bill Evans on Everybody Digs Bill Evans.
Most any song by John Denver (aka Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.), especially Rocky Mountain High.
https://youtu.be/eOB4VdlkzO4
Greetings to our Colorado friends!
Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder and Ain’t too Proud to Beg by the Temptations!
Anything by David Byrne and with or without the Talking Heads.
Stop making sense!!!
Never knew his real name. I’m guessing you remember or at least know his early performing stint, when he replaced in the Mitchell Trio. I heard him maybe 1964 at Tanglewood (I think). I searched years later for his rendition of “The Bells of Rhymney”. When I found it, wasn’t as spectacular as I remembered, but what the hell.
Sorry. Was trying to say, I agreed about Stop Making Sense. Would have loved to see the Broadway show but I’m cheap (or poor).
Never knew his real name. I’m guessing you remember or at least know his early performing stint, when he replaced in the Mitchell Trio. I heard him maybe 1964 at Tanglewood (I think). I searched years later for his rendition of “The Bells of Rhymney”. When I found it, wasn’t as spectacular as I remembered, but what the hell.
Anything disco that I can dance to….brings me back to the Studio 54 and Danceteria days!
The tried and true happiness anthem is James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” Always an immediate mood boost!
Let’s Get Loud – Jennifer Lopez
How about two different songs with the same title?
Sunflower by Vampire Weekend
Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee
To Be there to watch Eric Clapton ! OMG
we be there again. when this is all over ,,, it will be better than ever. MADE IN THE U.S.A.
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams.
“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” Cindy Lauper.
“All you need is Love” The Beatles.
Thanks for liking my best songs too. I also love the Bee Gees, Earth, Wind and Fire, 70’s are the best, anytime.
nice trio! “Happy: is irresistible
This high steppin whistler always puts a smile on my face
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDdL9Qbm31Q6M&feature=share&playnext=1
Rain or Shine with B.B. King and Eric Clapton was our wedding song and is still a favorite. Who knew the rain would include a pandemic quarantine? Gratefully there is so much more shine. Be safe everyone!
Become a Supporter
Join us online to gain access to exclusive benefits and opportunities only for Senior Planet Supporters!
Learn More Here!
Sign Up for Newsletters
There’s always a lot going on in the Senior Planet universe. Get our newsletters to make sure you never miss a thing!
Sign Up Now
Join Senior Planet Community
Senior Planet Community is our social media platform designed specifically for older adult users. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, make new friends, and share resources all on a safe and ad-free platform.
Join the Conversation Today