# Mellow, but happy songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 26, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510 "2010-02-26T12:59:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/1 "2010-02-26T12:59:08Z")
As I work on getting out of this depressive funk I’m in, I’m putting together a CD of songs that will help me. Basically, I want songs that are mellow (read: relaxing), but positive (not sad, lover’s lament stuff). I want to listen to them when I’m stressing out about things that I can’t control and relax, feel better. Some examples of songs I’ve already got are Peter Gabriel’s version of “[The Book of Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nZGv8VTBVE),” Josh Groban’s “[So She Dances](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQClyMBpuxw),” and Josh Groban’s “[You’re Still You](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVHNHvkf0Ss).” I know Josh Groban probably has more, but I’m not looking to make Josh Groban CD. If there are other Josh Groban songs that you feel _must_ be on there, suggest away, but I’m looking for about 15-20 songs to make this CD. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Kapowzler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Super\_Kapowzler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Kapowzler)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/2 "2010-02-26T13:09:32Z")
Traffic: “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.” It is like a good rain. ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/3 "2010-02-26T14:56:15Z")
Yeh, Steve Winwood has various mellow songs. Are you also interested in songs like “Groovin” ([Wikipedia link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groovin%27)) or “Why Do I Love You?” ([amazon sample, #23](http://www.amazon.com/Im-Mood-Love-Frances-Langford/dp/samples/B000001HK1/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1)) by Frances Langford and Tony Martin? To me they sound similar to your examples. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/4 "2010-02-26T15:21:11Z")
Walking in Memphis by Marc Kohn ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/5 "2010-02-26T15:25:54Z")
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. I’m not his hugest fan but this song is just adorable. “Rolling On” by Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris – really the whole album they did together “All the Roadrunning” ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/6 "2010-02-26T16:30:55Z")
Curtis Mayfield’s “No Thing on Me (Cocaine Song)” is real mellow and always puts a smile on my face. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/7 "2010-02-26T16:45:28Z")
Pretty much anything by the _Grateful Dead_. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/8 "2010-02-26T20:44:19Z")
Fleetwood Mac – Spare Me a Little of Your Love Brian Eno – Golden Hours, Here He Comes, Julie With…, By This River, Spider and I King Crimson – I Talk to the Wind, Islands Strawbs – The Winter and the Summer, Benedictus Jethro Tull – Reasons for Waiting, Look Into the Sun Pink Floyd – San Tropez, A Pillow of Winds, Stay Kinks – Sitting in the Midday Sun, Holiday, Sweet Lady Genevieve Elton John – Michelle’s Song Moody Blues – Emily’s Song, Tuesday Afternoon Yes – Your Move Jimi Hendrix – May This Be Love Crosby, Stills & Nash – Our House Instrumentals: Hot Tuna – Water Song Paul Winter Consort – Icarus Fripp and Eno – Evening Star ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/9 "2010-02-26T21:08:06Z")
Not totally mellow through the whole songs, but no one can stay down for long after listening to Kate Bush’s [“Sunset”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In7iMmnpVJ8) and [“Nocturn.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqijrsbRrM) There are a lot of great songs on that album, but those are my favorites. There are [several songs on this album](http://www.youtube.com/user/happyrhodesalbums#grid/user/86C6CCF1F0DD29AA) that would work. It’s one of those “Sunday morning” type album, quiet, beautiful, relaxing. Some of the lyrics won’t work, several are quite dark, but you’d never notice unless you really pay attention. Songs that would work are [“Summer,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R8pgPChsJs) [“For We Believe,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_kZ3c-bmE) [“Collective Heart,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzvV1aEtvEk) [“Hold Me.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUmk6id3Ras) Almost all the songs are self-covers, done in acoustic versions for live radio station appearances and things like World Cafe/Echoes, and the original album versions are quite different, with more instruments and different arrangements. I have more suggestions but you may not like these so I’ll wait. I chose these two artists because you mentioned you like Peter Gabriel. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/10 "2010-02-26T21:19:05Z")
“California Stars” by Wilco always puts me in a good mood. ---
**Author:** ![Sudo\_Intellectual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sudo\_Intellectual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudo_Intellectual)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/11 "2010-02-26T21:49:01Z")
I’ve been a little obsessing about “I’m Alive” by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. Normally, not two of my favorite singers, but there is something that just grips me about that song. I’m alive, and well. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/12 "2010-02-26T22:00:44Z")
“Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles. Mellow, peaceful, easy! And great vocal harmonies, too. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/13 "2010-02-26T22:14:46Z")
Oh, yeah, and how about: Velvet Underground – Sunday Morning Pink Floyd – Fearless Lovin’ Spoonful – Rainbows All Over Your Blues, Daydream ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/14 "2010-02-26T22:22:13Z")
Last winter, I was in a horrible, depressed mood. I listened to “Blue Sky”, by the Allman Brothers, and it was like medicine. Made me feel better instantly. Really remarkable. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/15 "2010-02-27T13:13:22Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles. Mellow, peaceful, easy! And great vocal harmonies, too. I’m trying to stay more down-tempo. I want songs that are deep, calming breaths, not skipping in a park. I know this song is happy and about being relaxed and such, but the song itself is more up-tempo. Same goes with a lot of the Grateful Dead stuff. _Touch of Grey_ comes to mind, and while it’s by no means hard-rock, it’s not soothing. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/16 "2010-02-27T13:17:21Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Not totally mellow through the whole songs, but no one can stay down for long after listening to Kate Bush’s [“Sunset”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In7iMmnpVJ8) and [“Nocturn.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqijrsbRrM) There are a lot of great songs on that album, but those are my favorites. > > There are [several songs on this album](http://www.youtube.com/user/happyrhodesalbums#grid/user/86C6CCF1F0DD29AA) that would work. It’s one of those “Sunday morning” type album, quiet, beautiful, relaxing. Some of the lyrics won’t work, several are quite dark, but you’d never notice unless you really pay attention. Songs that would work are [“Summer,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R8pgPChsJs) [“For We Believe,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_kZ3c-bmE) [“Collective Heart,”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzvV1aEtvEk) [“Hold Me.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUmk6id3Ras) Almost all the songs are self-covers, done in acoustic versions for live radio station appearances and things like World Cafe/Echoes, and the original album versions are quite different, with more instruments and different arrangements. I have more suggestions but you may not like these so I’ll wait. I chose these two artists because you mentioned you like Peter Gabriel. Those are both great suggestions… what else do you have up your sleeve? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/17 "2010-02-27T14:07:57Z")
Vince Guaraldi’s Linus and Lucy (Peanut’s Theme) [Full version here.](http://www.televisiontunes.com/Peanuts_-_Full_Version.html) Lakme’s [Flower Duet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8) Mostly known as some airline commerical song. Maybe a bit too fast tempo-ed but [Young Holt Ulimited’s Soulful Strut](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4_r-x9MOYU) always makes me smile. How about that old standard [Theme from A Summer Place](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSsiS-v6_6M) Almost posted Norah Jone’s Don’t Know Why but that’s not a happy song at all. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/18 "2010-02-27T16:17:01Z")
[This song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlCZJiGWWtA) might fit. It’s by a fella I just found, Corey Miller is his name. A lot of his songs, from the little I’ve heard, are like that. Mellow and downbeat, but not depressing. The linked song sure put a smile on my face when I first heard it on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/19 "2010-02-27T16:38:23Z")
Fill your heart with love today, don’t play the game of time… …mmmm…forget you mine and you’ll me free…of thoughts unpure. And of thought unkind. Things that happened in the past only happened in your mine. Forget your mind and you’ll be freeeeee. Funny thing to come from Ziggy Stardust but there it is. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510/20 "2010-02-27T16:42:23Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Pretty much anything by the _Grateful Dead_. _Some_ stuff by the _Grateful Dead_, but certainly not anything. Not only, as **Serenata67** said, is some of it up-tempo, some of it is downright depressing. Playing _Black Peter_ to someone who is depressed could drive them to suicide! Some _Dead_ tracks that I think would meet the specifications are: Uncle John’s Band Ripple Box of Rain I Know You Rider Brown-Eyed Woman Ramble On Rose Sugar Magnolia Here Comes Sunshine Eyes of the World Weather Report Suite Unbroken Chain France …I am sure there are lots more, but that is enough for now. I really came to recommend _Daydream_ (or, indeed, almost anything) by _The Lovin’ Spoonful_, but I see I’ve been beaten to it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mellow-but-happy-songs/530510.md?page=2)