Those of you who have been reading for a while may remember that EPI belongs to a listening club, and every year that listening club throws a gala dinner to which the wives are invited. It’s a grand affair, and one of the stipulations is that everyone must choose a song – according to a predetermined theme – that they want to share with the rest of the people at the dinner. The songs are then burned onto a CD that we all get to keep when the dinner is over.
In the last couple of years I’ve asked you, dear readers, to help me pick a song. [The first time here, the second here.] I’ve loved hearing all your recommendations and even if I don’t necessarily pick one of the songs it’s always great to get suggestions for new music.
This year’s theme is “a song that lightens your mood” — and now, as before, I would love to have your suggestions.
And so, without further ado: What is your favourite song that lightens your mood?
[Pls to deposit suggestions in comment box, not on Facebook or Twitter. Ta!]
~~~
It is the First Day of Summer here in Iceland, according to the Auld Icelandic calendar. It’s a public holiday, in keeping with the significance throughout the centuries of winter being Officially Over. On this day, we all wish each other a Happy Summer and hope that winter and summer “freeze together” during the night [i.e. that there is frost] because that is thought to bode well for the summer.
Gleðilegt sumar, everyone!
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The first song that popped into your mind? “Don’t worry, be happy” by Bobby McFerrin?
Schnee – good guess, but … no.
Hmm… possibly “always look on the bright side of life” by Monty Python … but all for the wrong reasons. I don’t often like overly happy songs but the whole situation in the film makes it a superb song.
Other than that;
- Hotel Yorba by The White Stripes
- Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode
- Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
Ok, another guess: Imagine by John Lennon
You really can’t go wrong with Jorge Ben of Brazil for uplifting, happy music.
Sure, they’re in Portugese, but ‘Pais Tropical’ and ‘Taj Mahal’ (Rod Stewart stole the melody for ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy) are undeniably upbeat.
Should be a fun CD!
Ohh! Forgot “Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree” by Tony Orlando & Dawn…
Here is another:
R. Kelly – I believe I can fly
Very inspiring even if the airport is about to close down.
Joerg – Nope!
Grif – Tie a Yellow Ribbon! Now there is a song I haven’t heard or thought about in years!
Very funny, reading through this, it made me remember a night in ‘Tiger Tiger’ nightclub with some Icelanders, very many years ago, at the hight of the banking boom, this :
Suede, beautiful ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvDjsf_yrFE
A byegone era!
I only have eyes for you – The Flamingoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFkc2gbShTY
A poached egg and this playing will make any day better.
Leaving on a jet plane? Chantal Kreviazuk – do I win a prize?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68NuTUdJX8U
First day of summer? Mighty ambitious for that high a latitude. I might give spring more of a chance.
Per music, if not new, I’ve listened to this a lot recently: ‘Caribbean Blue’ by Enya.
For the West coast: ‘California Dreamin’ by DJ Sammy
In tune perhaps melancholy, yet uplifting: ‘Forever Young’ by Alphaville. Sample lyrics:
“Let us die young or let us live forever
We don’t have the power but we never say never “
This is fun! I’m on board with anything Marley and definitely yes to Tom Jones (What’s New Pussycat or his cover of Prince’s Kiss). Sly and the Family Stone always brings on that summer feeling for me: Hot Fun in the Summertime and I Want to Take You Higher. I love Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel, Prince’s It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night. For sheer silliness any extended funked-up jam of George Clinton’s Atomic Dog – how can these lyrics not lighten your mood?!
Hi Alda
A few suggestions possibly
Sara Tavares – Balancé
Roxy music – More than this
or maybe
The Pretenders – Chain gang
somehow Sunshine Superman by Donovan keeps coming to mind
Cindy Lauper is a fun thought but you wouldn’t be thinking of “love lifts us up ” by Joe Cocker and ( i think) Jennifer Warrens
By the way…thanks for the great blog. I’ve been following it for a bit more than a year and I’ve laughed and I’ve wept. keep it up, please.
The Spoons – Romantic Traffic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vubMfPh7URs
B-52s – Roam always perks me up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWEfmCvu8R8
hrmm – if making you feel good implies, that you did feel not so good before, my choice yould be
“Four Leave Clover” from Badly Drawn Boy
My fave: Anarchy in the UK by the Sex Pistols.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens
While his song does not necessarily lighten my mood, it does inspire me to have the courage and fortitude to continue jumping the hurdles of the day.
Hope Leaves by Opeth
. It ain’t metal don’t be scared. Or practically any song by Porcupine Tree (Where We Would Be, Trains, Blackest Eyes, Shesmovedon, Feel So Low, Way Out Of Here).
“Build me up buttercup” by The Foundations, but it’s even better if someone just randomly breaks out singing it by themselves.
Also my mood is lifted whenever Husvagn by Discocrew pops up on my ipod, although I expect that it’s probably considered cheesy pop in places closer to its country of origin. But from a US perspective, it’s amusing, catchy, and I have no idea what they’re saying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIWtKnigjWM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9j7ZdSac_o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTHaT36xJFU&a=gKhUQA2BaJY&playnext_from=ML
something from a country weat of Iceland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLUz926z5p0
http://icelandweatherreport.com/2010/04/your-favourite-song-to-lighten-your-mood.html#comments
or something from sweden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOyUevGG9pQ&feature=related
Israel Kamakawiwo–Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World
Good suggestion! That was a strong candidate with me, too.
This is fun! My suggestions are:
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmxSL6H2QEg
or Everybody Got Their Something by Nikka Costa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyeoW4ifNik
Several of the songs mentioned above lighten my mood whenever I hear them, but especially effective are “Under the Boardwalk”, “Afternoon Delight” and “My Girl”.
Ok then, a last one:
James Brown – I Feel Good
Joerg – I admire your fortitude, but … no.
Good guess, though!
Thank you everyone for your suggestions — they are WONDERFUL and I’ve nodded at so many of them, thinking YES, YES and YES. I’ve changed my mind about ten times but am now 95% sure that I’m going to stick with my very first impulse. I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve decided!
“I Walk the Earth” by Voice of the Beehive
This is simply just an optimistic, necessary song right now – and a beautiful one at that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G7CDn8EKqs – my new favourite
Whoa – how bout them Canadians, eh? Love it!!
I thought of one more I had to throw into the mix:
Nina Simone – Feeling Good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8tuTSi6Sck
“Move On Up” By Curtis Mayfield..
Yes, same as last year, but it still lightens my mood, always has…
Wake Up Boo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WumSB0vZ5l8
Hi – not too late with song suggestions I hope?
…Here are three:
- Mr Sandman by The Chordettes.
- Iko Iko by The Dixie Cups.
- If You Gotta Go, Go Now by Manfred Mann.
Hey everyone – thank you AGAIN for all your great suggestions!
I promised to say which song was the FIRST to spring to mind when I heard about the theme of the evening, i.e. “song to lighten your mood” — it was Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. I thought it was so elementary that I was amazed that no one suggested it!
In the end I wound up going with Israel Kamakawiwo and his wonderful medley of Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World. It was also one of the first songs that came into my mind.
Here it is, if anyone is interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwFitafO5-Y
(Hmm looks like that’s only part of it — the Wonderful World part is missing)
Kamakawiwo’ole (w=v)
here’s both (but may disappear any moment:
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/4987483/over_the_rainbow_wonderful_world
Just cant think of a better choice now that I have listened to it. Was going to suggest Ray Davies’ Sunday Afternoon. Glad I didnt. Wow..spine shivers even.
Love to know the format of these soirees of yours Alda. How is the music presented?
Gunna – It’s like this: there are six couples, and each brings something to the dinner: starter, homemade sorbet to have between starter and main course, main course, potato/veg dish, salad, and dessert. While we are enjoying each of those offerings, the songs of the couple who made them are played. Very simple.
doves-kingdom of rust
oooh and i forgot kt tunstall’s suddenly i see
Walk Like an Egyption -Bangles always makes me happy fast music always does compaired to the junk they do now
Animal by Neon Trees , The Remedy by Jason Mraz, and Take On Me by A-Ha
My choices would be :
Julie Do Ya Love Me —- White Plains
Out of Time—- Chris Farlowe
I’m Doin Fine Now—–New York City
I listen to these songs constantly because they always make me feel good when I play them.
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