“The Free Electric Band” by Albert Hammond
Listen on Amazon. One of the most free-spirited songs I’ve ever heard.
here’s some lyrics
Another Irish tune would be
How Can I Keep from Singing.
And how about One Song, Glory from Rent.
One of my favorite rock tunes of all time:
Magic Power by Triumph
There’s a fantastic song in the Maltby and Shire revue CLOSER THAN EVER, called ‘If I Sing’. It’s a man’s tribute to his father and it always makes me cry:
MY FATHER’S PRIDE
WAS IN HIS HANDS
THE PIANO WAS HIS SOUL
I WATCHED IN WONDER
AS HE PLAYED SHOW TUNES
MILES OFF FROM ROCK AND ROLL
WHAT HE LOVED, HE TAUGHT ME
NOW MUSIC’S WHAT I DO
AND OFTEN WHEN I’M WRITING
IN MY HANDS DAD’S THERE TOO
IF I SING, YOU ARE THE MUSIC
IF I FLY, YOU’RE WHY I’M GOOD
IF MY HANDS CAN FIND SOME MAGIC
YOU’RE THE ONE WHO SAID THEY COULD
WHEN THE CHILD WHO’S STILL INSIDE ME
FINDS A SONG IN EMPTY AIR
WHEN THERE IS JOY IN MAKING MUSIC
IT IS YOU WHO PUT IT THERE…
IF I SING, YOU ARE THE MUSIC
IF I LOVE, YOU TAUGHT ME HOW
EVERY DAY, YOUR HEART IS BEATING
IN THE MAN THAT I AM NOW
IF MY EARS ARE TUNED TO WONDER
IF WHEN I REACH THE CHORDS ARE THERE
IF THERE IS JOY IN MAKING MUSIC
IT’S A JOY THAT WE BOTH SHARE
<SNIF>
I Believe in Music by B.J. Thomas.
From the classical archives:
"An die Musik" (To Music) by Franz Schubert. (Poem by Franz von Schober)
Translated lyrics start this way:
Sacred art, how often in grey hours,
When I was hurled into life’s commotion,
You have reunited my heart with the warmth of love,
Tansported me to a better world!..
I love to sing-a
About the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a,
I love to sing-a,
About a sky of blue-a, or a tea for two-a,
Anything-a with a swing-a to an I love you-a,
I love to, I love to sing!
I like music, old or new,
But music makes me do the things I never should do
I like music, sweet or blue,
But music makes me do the things I never should do!
“Sweet Soul Music” by Arthur Conley. That’s the one with lots of horns that puts the “spotlight” on several notable soul artists.
“25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago is about writing a song in the middle of the night (or early in the a.m. if you prefer). Not sure if it’s what the OP is looking for.
Would 60’s dance classics like “The Twist”, “The Peppermint Twist”, and – heck – even “The Monster Mash”, qualify?
…
Thought of another one – Jackson Browne’s “The Load-Out/Stay” (featuring Maurice Williams).
One from A Chorus Line about a dancer transforming the audience at least (One smile and nobody else will do)
I Can Do That from A chorus line
At the Ballet from A chorus line (every one is beautiful at the ballet)
The Music and the Mirror from A chorus line
What I did for Love from A chorus line is about loving dance
There’s a song about singin’ in the shower from Sesame Street:
I like to sing, sing in the shower. Ah-ha!
As the water falls, I let my voice ring loud and clear.
I like to sing, sing in the shower. Ah-ha!
'Cause I love the way that my singin sounds in here.
http://www.lookingforlyrics.com/lyricid/41152
I am gonna assume it’s Joe Raposo’s song. Could be wrong.
American Music by the Violent Femmes
The Day the Music Died by Don McLane
The Spirit of Radio – Rush
Down on the Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Keep a Song in Your Soul by Fats Waller and Alex Hill.
You mean “American Pie” (by Don McLean), but I’m not sure it qualifies as being “about the joy of music” … isn’t it about the deaths of the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly?
What about Rock and Roll by The Velvet Underground:
Lose Yourself by Eminem
Music by Madonna. Or the John Miles track of the same title (“Music was my first love, and it will be my last”)
There’s loads of rock tracks on this kind of theme
I Love Rock & Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll by Mott the Hoople (“It’s good for the body, it’s good for the soul”)
There’s plenty more Seventies rock on the same sort of theme
Oh, dear. How could I forget one of my fave obscure tracks by a well known band:
Certain Kind Of Fool, by the Eagles, about becoming a guitar player.
Also, Summer Of '69 by Bryan Adams
Drift Away by Dobie Gray:
“And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I’m feelin’ blue
The guitar’s comin’ through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you’ve given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along makin’ me strong”