I'm slowly working on a compilation of songs for a friend of mine, with the theme being "happiness". So all the songs should be about happiness, or have a positive message, or have characters who are happy.

Here are a few I'm considering currently:

• The Mountain Goats - "Alibi"
• The Flaming Lips - "Do You Realize??"
• Billy Bragg - "Sexuality", or "Greetings To The New Brunette", or "The Milkman Of Human Kindness"
• The Beautiful South - "Perfect 10"
• Sun - "It's A Smiley Face World"
• Paul McCartney - "We All Stand Together"
• Super Furry Animals - "Juxtapozed With U"
• Tiny Tim - "Livin' In The Sunlight, Lovin' In The Moon Light"

So I figured I'd ask if y'all might have some suggestions for other tunes that might fit the theme. Bonus points if the songs aren't (necessarily) about romantic love, though those are perfectly fine too. Also bonus points if you include YouTube links, so one can conveniently browse the songs.

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Why's everyone in this thread a f***ing Mountain Goats fan?!

Kirkeby Kritikk • Kvitter



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2012 07:53AM by EvilEivind.

Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Happy

Guster - Happy Frappy
REM - Shiny Happy People
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill

gotta be SOMETHING by Polyphonic Spree on here it just fits so damn much

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We are the ones who don't slow down at all...

happiness is a warm gun?
family happiness?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2012 04:25PM by mike10k.

i've always wanted to do a comp that starts with happy upbeat songs but then gradually darkens to the most suicidal and crushingly depressing songs ever.

but i don't know any happy upbeat songs.

except for jack johnson.

[www.youtube.com]

I would probably put Weekend In Western Illinois, San Bernadino or 02-75, on there rather than Alibi. I mean the characters may be happy, but the situation is less than ideal.

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My band has a Facebook. This is the link.

fun. - Be Calm

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I make videos for the interwebs. Click to taste the insanity.
My band has a Facebook. This is the link.

'Happy Boy' by the Beat Farmers

And

'Happy Happy Joy Joy' from Ren and Stimpy



Im sorry I cant link youtube vids right now. Im sitting in a totally silent classroom being super early to my first class back in school in 8 years. Heh.

Its music appreciation even!

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A fly can't bird but a bird can fly.

Oh, the Boy Least Likely To is another natural artist for this

Happy to be Myself
When Life Gives Me Lemons I Make Lemonade

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We are the ones who don't slow down at all...

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SlowWestVulture
I would probably put Weekend In Western Illinois, San Bernadino or 02-75, on there rather than Alibi. I mean the characters may be happy, but the situation is less than ideal.

I love "Alibi". Happiness is complicated, after all.

Thanks for the suggestions so far! A lot of good stuff, some by bands I haven't even heard of. And a few more from me I'm considering:

• Spongebob Squarepants - "The Best Day Ever"
• Hefner - "When the Angels Play Their Drum Machines"
• Sharyn Scott - "I'm A Pioneer"
• Pet Shop Boys - "Home And Dry"

Want something by Stephin Merritt, Jonathan Richman and They Might Be Giants as well, but can't quite decide what their happiest songs are.

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Why's everyone in this thread a f***ing Mountain Goats fan?!

Kirkeby Kritikk • Kvitter

Happiest Stephin Merritt song...





I don't understand

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We are the ones who don't slow down at all...

not to put too fine a point on it, say i'm the only bee in your bonnett.

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Lake - Roger Miller

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EvilEivind


Want something by Stephin Merritt, Jonathan Richman and They Might Be Giants as well, but can't quite decide what their happiest songs are.

New England by Jonathan Richman has always been my favorite of his. Maybe also b.c. I'm from New England?
I also really love Levi's Polka by Loituma. I know it's a meme now but it's just an awesome song regardless.

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Wild Creature
not to put too fine a point on it, say i'm the only bee in your bonnet.

If I was making a happiness compilation, this would definitely be on it. Also, ELO's Mr Blue Sky, and Tim Minchin's Some People Have It Worse Than I (which I think counts as a happy song, it makes me happy anyway )



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2012 01:59PM by Darkshines.

Stephin Merritt does have a few happy-ish songs. Such as: "It's Only Time", "Forever And A Day", "The Happiest Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side", "When My Boy Walks Down The Street", and probably others.

For Jonathan Richman I was considering "I Was Dancing In A Lesbian Bar", "That Summer Feeling", "New Kind Of Neighborhood", "A Higher Power", "I Have Come Out To Play", "Just For Fun", and... probably others! He almost has too many happy-ish songs. But again, preferable if it's not exactly a love song for this particular compilation, but they're acceptable.

"Birdhouse In Your Soul" is certainly a good TMBG option, if a tad predictable. But good! Was also considering "At The End Of The Tour", "Nightgown Of The Sullen Moon", "Can't Keep Johnny Down", or "Idlewild". The most thematically appropriate might be "Happy Doesn't Have To Have An Ending", but it's not all that good melodically.

Say, does Tom Waits have any happy songs?

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Why's everyone in this thread a f***ing Mountain Goats fan?!

Kirkeby Kritikk • Kvitter



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2012 04:38PM by EvilEivind.

re: Tom Waits, "New Coat of Paint" is the only one that comes to mind; and that's just as a straight-up love song, not something that's hugely uplifting in its own right. I'd love to hear other's opinions.

How about "There She Goes My Beautiful World" by Nick Cave? I'd also mention "Come Into My Sleep" and "Opium Tea."

I'd say either "Treeton" or "Daisy" by Fang Island would work for me. That album kept me alive through Chicago a few summers ago.

Edit 1: Or "Stay Positive" or "Constructive Summer" by The Hold Steady.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2012 10:53PM by VagabondKing.

Vagabondking,that album is a masterful lesson in 'How to have Fun'.

Daisy, for sure, has to be included. Did you ever see the video?

[www.youtube.com]

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let's get dressed up in costumes and dance by the bar.

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EvilEivind
Stephin Merritt does have a few happy-ish songs. Such as: "It's Only Time", "Forever And A Day", "The Happiest Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side", "When My Boy Walks Down The Street", and probably others.

Yeah, I know, it was a joke...joke? Funny funny haha? They make you happy, which is supposed to be the whole point of this...EIVIND.

(sorry, that probably doeasn't read as amusing like a line from someone in Archer as much as it sounds like it in my head.)


Anyway, I'd add a few songs of his side project The 6ths (where he writes and crafts songs for other singers)
-He Didn't (w/ Bob Mould) - some might see that as more melancholy but it's so gorgeous I think it works
-Just Like A Movie Star (w/ Dominique A)
-You You You You You (w/ Katerine Whalen)
-As You Turn to Go (w/ Momus)

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We are the ones who don't slow down at all...

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betamax
Vagabondking,that album is a masterful lesson in 'How to have Fun'.

Daisy, for sure, has to be included. Did you ever see the video?

[www.youtube.com]

This video was my introduction to the band, hahaha. Love it. It's my favorite song to sing along to. Hey, that's a whaaaahey that's waheeoh that weeooweeooweeiioooooooooooooooo