# What is the Ultimate Feel-Good Song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 28, 2014, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983 "2014-01-28T22:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/81 "2014-01-30T05:29:28Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > All great choices so far, but the current song I can’t stop feeling good about is: > > [HAPPY!!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM) I’m at hour 5 of the 24 hour version. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/82 "2014-01-30T07:40:08Z")
Nothing makes me happier than a magnificent Broadway performance. And Raul Esparza’s “Being Alive” from “Company” just gives me goosebumps - [Raul Esparza - Being Alive - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBBPKedba5o) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/83 "2014-01-30T07:52:30Z")
Another for the first to come to mind is Walking on Sunshine. Someone wanted Beach Boys? Don’t Worry Baby and God Only Knows. Ooo Child by The Five Stairsteps is rather uplifting. Any good rendition of Shubert’s Ave Maria will do the trick. Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf. Goovin’ by the Little Rascals. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/84 "2014-01-30T08:48:28Z")
[Celebration](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M) by Kool and the Gang [I Feel the Earth Move](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4tc1C-NrE) by Carole King [Lookin’ Out My Back Door](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aae_RHRptRg) by Creedence Clearwater Revival ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/85 "2014-01-30T09:36:04Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Another for the first to come to mind is Walking on Sunshine. > Someone wanted Beach Boys? Don’t Worry Baby and God Only Knows. > > Ooo Child by The Five Stairsteps is rather uplifting. Any good rendition of Shubert’s Ave Maria will do the trick. > > Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf. Goovin’ by the Little Rascals. _Young_ Rascals, I think. Or just the Rascals. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/86 "2014-01-30T10:28:04Z")
Two more votes for Gimme Some Lovin’ and Walking On Sunshine. But what could pick you up more than a funeral procession by Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (a.k.a. Jelly Roll Morton)?😃 [Oh! Didn’t He Ramble](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fttJd3zWRdA) ---
**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:** [January 30, 2014, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/87 "2014-01-30T11:17:35Z")
I’ll second “I Can See Clearly” and add “Up” by Shania Twain. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/88 "2014-01-30T13:07:05Z")
No ABBA? shame on you all, how about “Dancing Queen” No Bob Marley? what about “stir it up” Most recent feel good tune for me is Florence and the Machine’s [“Shake it out”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN0nX61rIs) ---
**Author:** ![Roundabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dec6dc/32.png) [@Roundabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roundabout)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/89 "2014-01-30T13:23:13Z")
**Lovely Day** by the great Bill Withers [http://vimeo.com/9247222](http://vimeo.com/9247222) Always puts a smile on my face, on the way to work. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/90 "2014-01-30T14:05:01Z")
Another vote for “Walking on Sunshine” as my first response. Thanks to everyone for their input. What a worthwhile effort it is to take inventory of this stuff; like counting one’s blessings. Here are two more: “My Sweet” by Quintette du Hot Club de France (Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and others) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlgZm3UyfMQ) I only know this from a “greatest hits” type of recording. The linked version seems to be the one on my recording, although there are several different versions on YouTube. “Unbridled joy” is what comes to my mind, although the term is apt for the greater part of the playing and recordings of these guys, especially Grappelli. So sweet. “Peg” by Steely Dan. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9KHQnlFwxzU/hqdefault.jpg "Steely Dan - Peg Lyrics") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KHQnlFwxzU) This “making of” video may be old news to some of you, but it put a big old smile on my face. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/waIBA6_0GQc/hqdefault.jpg "Peg - Steely Dan - The Making Of") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waIBA6_0GQc) ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/91 "2014-01-30T14:40:19Z")
How about “Feelin’ Groovy” by Simon and Garfunkel? ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/92 "2014-01-30T15:14:10Z")
“Once Upon a Time” by Simple Minds always held a fairy-tale quality for me. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/93 "2014-01-30T15:44:49Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > No ABBA? shame on you all, how about “Dancing Queen” As I was driving home I thought of this thread, and thought ABBA must have an entry – and Dancing Queen was the one I would have picked from them too. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/94 "2014-01-30T16:01:09Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > How about “Feelin’ Groovy” by Simon and Garfunkel? Isn’t that “The Fifty-Ninth Street Bridge” song? Wonderful, uplifting, carefree! Oh, to be young and feeling groovy, kickin’ down the cobblestones :D… I would add “Itchy-Koo Park” for a similar feeling. “Make Me Smile” by Chicago - that was a big song in the 70’s, when I got out of school. My friends and I played it over and over, we had a whole bright future of jobs and love and life ahead of us. (hear those train sounds in the bridge of the song? that was the sound of the train we were on board, heading down the tracks toward that future.) ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/95 "2014-01-30T16:08:44Z")
“Walking on Sunshine” obvious winner. It’s the go-to song for film feel good montages. How about Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”? For a (maybe slightly odd) meaning of _feel good_. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/96 "2014-01-30T17:12:46Z")
> [@mortal\_wombat](#): > > I don’t know about you guys, but whenever I hear The Pointer Sisters - I’m So Excited, I gotta get up and strut my stuff. > > _cue hairbrush singing_ > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-LbvFckptY](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-LbvFckptY) That song got me a speeding ticket, once. Use it with caution. ---
**Author:** ![s\_dali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@s\_dali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/s_dali)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/97 "2014-01-30T17:23:54Z")
Chantilly Lace -The Big Bopper June Afternoon -Roxette Beautiful Life -Ace of Base ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/98 "2014-01-30T18:19:51Z")
> [@s\_dali](#): > > Chantilly Lace -The Big Bopper > June Afternoon -Roxette > Beautiful Life -Ace of Base All good ones! Welcome to The SDMB, **s\_dali**. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/99 "2014-01-30T18:28:47Z")
The Sign - Ace of Base - For when you feel good about dumping that loser and are ready to move on with your life. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves - For when you feel good about meeting someone new who loves you and who you love, or just feeling good in general. Change Your Mind - Sister Hazel - For when you need to convince yourself to think more positively. and my personal favorite: Everybody Hurts - REM - Even though its a sad and somber song, its message is aggressively positive and helps make me feel better whenever I am down, while also making me feel like I am not alone, and that everyone suffers. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983/100 "2014-01-31T02:57:18Z")
[Hang on, Sloopy!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGuPc01Dn7c) [Little Bitty Pretty One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbqLhzE8tng) Come si…t do…wn…up…on…a…mah…knee… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-feel-good-song/679983.md?page=6)