# Songs that make you smile **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2000, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336 "2000-06-14T13:18:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/1 "2000-06-14T13:18:16Z")
This morning, as I was getting dressed and all that before work, I heard the song Call Me Al by Paul Simon, which, no matter how horrible my mood is, always brings a smile to my face and brightens my day. There’s no particular memory attached to the song, it just makes me happy. What songs make you smile? Is there a memory associated with it that brings joy? Or is it just something about the tune or words or beat that has you grinning like a fool? Some of mine: -Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns 'n Roses (As I was driving one day, I went in the ditch whilst rocking out to this song. It wasn’t the song’s fault, my brakes went out. I continued to rock out in the ditch until the song was over. The guy who saw it happen and stopped to help thought I had sustained some kind of head injury.) -Every Day is a Winding Road - Sheryl Crow -I Would Walk 1000 Miles - The Proclaimers -Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits -Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin -Fishin’ in the Dark - ??? -Love Shack - The B52’s (My best friend, her boyfriend, and I always used to sing this at karaoke back when we were in college. That’s one of the few things I miss about college, karaoke night with Liz and Mark) ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/2 "2000-06-14T13:58:35Z")
Santa Monica - Everclear Where is My Mind - The Pixies Blister in the Sun - The Violent Femmes (alternately, American Music) It’s the End of the World As We Know It - REM Under the Bridge - Chili Peppers Anything by King Missle or Guster ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/3 "2000-06-14T14:07:43Z")
Arlington - Emmit Swimming The World Is Full of Bastards (and I’ve dated every one) - Mary Prankster Rock and Roll Lifestyle - Cake Too High For the Supermarket - The Uninvited Lousiana Lowdown - Cowboy Mouth I Can’t Stand You Now - Paul Sanchez Identify all these artists and WIN A PRIZE! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/4 "2000-06-14T14:13:34Z")
flagpole sitta …dunno who lakeside park…rush highway star… deep purple whatever didi wants…nofx ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/5 "2000-06-14T14:37:39Z")
Jazz tunes that make me smile (may be performed by anyone, as long as they don’t screw up the heads and can solo effectively): Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” Thelonious Monk’s “Friday the Thirteenth” Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring” Lester Young’s “Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid” Horace Silver’s “Juicy Lucy” Eddie Durham’s “Topsy” ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/6 "2000-06-14T14:47:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > flagpole sitta …dunno who > \*\* Pretty sure this is Harvey Danger. My current choices are: Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby - Counting Crows Ghost of Stephen Foster - Squirrel Nut Zippers Dammit - Blink 182 Inside Out - Eve 6 (supercheezy, I know) Hit 'em Up - 2Pac (not a happy song, but makes me laugh) ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/7 "2000-06-14T14:48:15Z")
“Good Times” by Inxs “Istanbul” by TMBG “White Lines” by Duran Duran “Because the Night” 10,000 Maniacs version (but only because of associated memories) “The Nations of the World” by Yakko Warner ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/8 "2000-06-14T14:53:06Z")
FYI - Fishin’ in the Dark is by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/9 "2000-06-14T14:54:29Z")
Jenny Says - Cowboy Mouth Rosalita - Better than Ezra ---
**Author:** ![JimmyNipples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JimmyNipples](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimmyNipples)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/10 "2000-06-14T15:18:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > Some of mine: > > -Fishin’ in the Dark - ??? > > \*\* I’m ashamed I know this…Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Some of Graeme’s fist pumping-make ya grin tunes: Anything by Devo Paradise City…Gun’s & Roses She sells Sactuary…Cult High…Lighthouse Family Walk the Night…Skatt Brothers Gansta’s Paradise…Coolio ---
**Author:** ![jayron\_32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/41988e/32.png) [@jayron\_32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayron_32)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/11 "2000-06-14T15:21:28Z")
When I’m 64 by The Beatles always gets my smiling. ---
**Author:** ![jesuslynch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jesuslynch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesuslynch)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/12 "2000-06-14T15:35:27Z")
Fruitcakes - Jimmy Buffett The Girl’s Got Rythm - AC/DC ---
**Author:** ![JimmyNipples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JimmyNipples](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimmyNipples)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/13 "2000-06-14T15:44:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > > Blister in the Sun - The Violent Femmes (alternately, American Music) > \*\* Yeah!!! What a great tune. It’s been years since I’ve heard it…gotta dig that one out again. Also, Night Clubbin’ Iggy Pop and David Bowie ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/14 "2000-06-14T17:28:47Z")
I confess to liking Blister in the Sun too. It’s so odd and catchy. No great work of music, I know, but a song that is infectious in its happiness is “Centerfold” by the J. Guiles Band. I also have good memories associated with it: when it came out a guy I had a crush on liked the song too. We never got together, but when I hear it, I think of him. 🙂 Mishell, “Graceland” is my favorite album. I adore “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes.” Other songs I love: Rosalita – Bruce I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2 (From Rattle and Hum) Uncle John’s Band – The Grateful Dead In the Mood – Glenn Miller You Are the Everything – REM (Green) Cowgirl in the Sand – Neil Young There’s really nothing uplifting in the body of work by Pink Floyd, but any time I hear anything from “The Wall” I’m a senior in high school again. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/15 "2000-06-14T17:34:22Z")
Mavpace! Someone else who’s been turned on to the Mouth! The greatest live band in all of history! GO COWBOY MOUTH! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/16 "2000-06-14T17:44:56Z")
Nice choices of “Rosalita” and “When I’m 64.” A lot of songs give me a smile: Honeymoon Hotel (from Footlight Parade) Adelaide’s Lament (Guys and Dolls) Anything Goes Always True to You Darling (in My Fashion) (Kiss Me Kate) Comedy Tonight (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) Ya Got Trouble (The Music Man) Brotherhood of Man (How to Succeed in Business) Those Were The Good Old Days (Damn Yankees) Sing (A Chorus Line) Cocktails for Two (Spike Jones) Ali Baba’s Camel (Bonzo Dog Band – anything by them, actually) Mabel (Procul Harum “Don’t eat green meat, it ain’t good for you.”) The William Tell Overture Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, 4th movement (“Song of Joy”) Move it on Over (George Thorogood) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/17 "2000-06-14T17:51:47Z")
Walkin’ In Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves Lazy Day – Spanky and Our Gang Happiest Girl in the Whole USA – Donna Fargo Summer pop RULES! ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/18 "2000-06-14T18:10:00Z")
Flagpole Sitta is indeed Harvey Danger. It’s a good one. Mr. Blue Sky by ELO is on my list. My Maria (god forgive me, I like the “new” version better than the old) ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/19 "2000-06-14T18:19:00Z")
Hey Chuck, ya like musicals?? 😉 I’ve got one to add to your list – “I Cain’t Say No” from “Oklahoma!” ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336/20 "2000-06-14T18:21:43Z")
A big “Amen” to the posters who mentioned these two: [ul][li] **Blister in the Sun** - The Violent Femmes[/li][li] **Istanbul** - They Might Be Giants[/ul][/li] A few others: [list][li] **Rock and Roll High School** - The Ramones[/li][li] **Rock the Casbah** - The Clash[/li][li] **Salty Dog Blues** - Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs[/li][li] **That’ll Be the Day** - Buddy Holly[/li][li] **You Can’t Catch Me** - Chuck Berry[/li][li] **Twist and Shout** - The Beatles[/li][li] **I Saw Her Standing There** - The Beatles[/li][li] **Moondance** - Van Morrison[/li][li] **Great Balls of Fire!** - Jerry Lee Lewis[/li][li] **Rock Lobster** - B52s[/li][li] **That’s What I Like About You** - The Romantics[/li][li] **Turning Japanese** - The Vapors[/li][li] **Rock this Town** - Stray Cats[/li][li] **Sexy and Seventeen** - Stray Cats[/li][li] **Jambalaya** - Hank Williams[/li][li]\*\*Hell (In the Afterlife)[_]- Squirrel Nut Zippers[/li][li] **Cannonball** - Kim Deal’s band after the Pixies (dang it! What were they called?)[/li][li] **Amy** - Pure Prairie League[/li][li] **Friend of the Devil** - Grateful Dead[/li][_] **Driver 8** - R.E.M. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-smile/22336.md?page=2)