# What are the Happiest Songs Ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 2, 2001, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047 "2001-10-02T21:15:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/61 "2001-10-04T16:03:53Z")
> [@](#): > > On the contrary. I heard an interview with Michael Stipe once and he said he didn’t intend any irony at all. He really does like people like that. Well I’ll be damned. You sure he wasn’t just telling an outrageous lie? 😉 “Oh yes, I just _love_ those happy people.” Low, low, low. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/62 "2001-10-04T16:45:45Z")
I Can See Clearly Now ---
**Author:** ![k.os](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@k.os](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k.os)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/63 "2001-10-04T17:04:52Z")
Almost anything by **The Rednex**. They’re the ones that came out with Cotton-Eye Joe. It’s the cheesiest thing I have heard, but it always makes me smile. I think I’ll put it on. ---
**Author:** ![vivian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3e96dc/32.png) [@vivian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivian)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/64 "2001-10-04T20:00:27Z")
**As** -Stevie Wonder…makes my heart melt \*\*Brown eyed girl \*\*…ihavenoidea…van morrison? **off the wall** michael jackson. the actual song makes me feel better about anything and everything…hmmmm…any old michael jackson makes me smile 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![niwroc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/34f0e0/32.png) [@niwroc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/niwroc)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/65 "2001-10-04T20:43:19Z")
The Rascals: Groovin’ ---
**Author:** ![RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RocknRoll_Killing_Machine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/66 "2001-10-05T02:01:36Z")
I don’t know if I could say that it’s the happiest song _ever_, but Jim O’Roukes “Fuzzy Sun”, along with the rest of **Halfway To a Threeway** is pretty damn nifty. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/67 "2001-10-05T02:32:41Z")
The Weather Girls, “It’s Raining Men.” There’s a song to get you moving! Let me add also “Go West” and “I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing” by the Pet Shop Boys. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/68 "2001-10-05T14:59:28Z")
I’ll second **I Can See Clearly Now** , Chaim, and also **Good Morning Starshine** from Hair, **Shiny Happy People** , and **What a Wonderful World**. A few more: **There Must Be an Angel** - Eurythmics **Peace in the Valley** - Sabrina Johnston **I Say a Little Prayer** - Aretha (or, in a pinch, Dionne) **Moving on Up** - M People **Peace Train** - Dolly Parton (I’m serious!) **The Sun Does Rise** - The Cranberries ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/69 "2001-10-05T16:28:13Z")
**Dancing in the Street** and **My Girl** , as sung by the Mamas and Papas. **Twist and Shout** , by just about any artist who has ever done it. And who could forget **Shout!** , sung by Otis Day and the Knights? ---
**Author:** ![Elvis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Elvis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elvis)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/70 "2001-10-05T18:30:11Z")
“Beginning to See the Light” - Velvet Underground “Good Rockin’ Tonight” - Elvis “Rainy Day Women” - Bob Dylan “Rockaway Beach” - Ramones ---
**Author:** ![Chum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@Chum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chum)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/71 "2001-10-06T02:37:48Z")
I’m shocked that no one has mentioned “ **Afternoon Delight** ” by the Starland Vocal Band. It can’t get any happier than that. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Fat\_Harry\_Deal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Big\_Fat\_Harry\_Deal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Fat_Harry_Deal)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/72 "2001-10-06T04:11:30Z")
I’d like to add another vote for 59th Street Bridge Song, with Good Day Sunshine as runner-up (is my age showing?). ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/73 "2001-10-06T05:35:45Z")
**Big Me** by the Foo Fighters. It’s one of those kinds of irrepressibly upbeat songs that sticks to your mind like peanut butter on the brain. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/74 "2001-10-06T12:17:24Z")
Yes, the Allman Bros instrumental was indeed Jessica. Also their song Blue Sky is a favorite of mine, Dickie Betts’ guitar just sings in that piece. Another favorite which never fails me is Happy Jack by the Who; the combination of its tempo changes and Moon’s drumming always send my endorphins flowing. Good call on Marley’s Three Little Birds. “Cuz every little ting Is gonna be allright…” ---
**Author:** ![THespos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/75 "2001-10-06T14:05:16Z")
2nds… Yep, _Jessica_ is a happy tune. So is _Brown Eyed Girl_. My happy song is _Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman)_ by Counting Crows. My vote for “Happy Song with Disturbing Lyrics” is _Peace Frog_ by the Doors. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/76 "2001-10-06T16:37:17Z")
Happy song (that no one else’s mentioned): Petula Clarke’s “Downtown” Happy songs with creepy lyrics: Beatles “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” (bounciest song about a serial killer, ever!) Hollies “Look Through Any Window” (Peeping Toms are just people!) Fenris ---
**Author:** ![ignatzmouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b2d939/32.png) [@ignatzmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatzmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/77 "2001-10-06T17:08:31Z")
“Feeling Good” sung by Nina Simone. I don’t know who wrote it. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/78 "2001-10-06T17:27:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > On the contrary. I heard an interview with Michael Stipe once and he said he didn’t intend any irony at all. He really does like people like that. > > Well I’ll be damned. You sure he wasn’t just telling an outrageous lie? 😉 > \*\* The beauty of REM is that we’ll never know for sure. So long as I’m posting, I say “Friday I’m in Love” is one of the happiest songs I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![Freakunique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Freakunique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freakunique)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/79 "2001-10-06T22:38:50Z")
**E-le-va-shun! Wooooohoooo! Whoooo-hooo-oo!** U2 baby. Nuff said. Peaches - Presidents of the United States of America : PUSA ---
**Author:** ![cleops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@cleops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cleops)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047/80 "2001-10-06T23:42:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tavalla \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Eutychus55 \* > > \*\*Don’t know the title or who does it, but it’s the song that goes “If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife…” > > > > **Barnes and Barnes** did a killer version of it, but I don’t have a clue who did the original. \*\* > > Knew I forgot to add something. IIRC, it was Jimmy Soul. \*\* I thought it was Gary US Bonds who had the HIT. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-happiest-songs-ever/85047.md?page=5)