h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, for all of those heading for the nearest bridge or high building after reading the depressing song thread - why not remind ourselves of those songs that cheer us up? There is a thread somewhere already which covers this, but never mind, let's start a new one.

Please try and avoid just plain comedy or silly songs, unless there is a really good reason why they cheer you up personally (for example: I always feel uplifted by the Ying Tong song because it was playing on the radio the day I learned to ride a bike ... that was only an example, it's not an anecdote from my own childhood.)

*sits back and looks forward to cheerful songs*

Don't worry, be happy!


Don't ask me who sings it, I just love it!

Gabrielle's Sunshine just because it makes me remember who's important in my life, who's respinsible for the success I've had and how lucky I actually am to be doing what I'm doing and to have all the opportunities I have

Pink's Don't Let me Get me because of the lyric "I'm my own worst enemy, it's bad when you annoy yourself/So irritating/Don't wanna be my friend no more, I wanna somebody else" While it might not seem like a non-depressing song, I just find it so true and funny and it will usually snap me out of a sulk

Wings Of A Dove by Madness
Always makes me smile

So much so, I'd better put it on on the computer right now.

Classical Gas - 1968, Mason Williams (no other version is quite like the original)


I was a teenager when this song came out, although I don't associate it with any particular event in my life. It was purely an acoustic guitar piece (no lyrics), but something about the tune, being both simple and complex at the same time never fails to make me smile.

I consider it to be "driving music" - by that I mean that it's a song that to me evokes thoughts of driving down the highway on a beautiful day without a care in the world, just enjoying the trip and the scenery. No concerns about gas mileage or gas prices (back then we had no concerns about such things anyway - so the name of the piece has nothing to do with it), no speed limits, no crazy drivers cutting you off, and even though I've never even ridden in a convertible, this song always gives me the feeling of freedom that must come from driving with the top down on a beautiful day.... probably on my way to the beach.

It has to be The Eagles' Journey Of The Sorcerer, doesn't it?

B

Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.

Personally I just find that makes me want to hunt down Katrina and inflict serious pain on here.

For me its 'Postman's Knock' by The Albion Band, or The Beggar's Song by the same.

As I've never heard that song I wouldnt really know.

It could also be "hollerback girl" by Gwen Stafanni song about standing up for yourself with music from umpah band and a beat by Pharrel Williams.

Intergalactic by the the Beastie boys or "Can I kick it?" by a tribe called Quest and if hip hop is your and it most certainly is mine any or all tarcks on "Three feet high and rising" by De La Soul.

If hip hop isnt your and I cant imagine why it isnt but hey each to their own then you might want to try "Sun hits the sky" by supergrass or "birdhouse in your soul" by they might be giants. If there are any records more infectiously bouncy than those then Ive probably forgotten wht they are due to short term memory loss brought on by bouncing around too much

And obviously because it does exactly what it says on the tin "Reasons to be cheerful" by the late and very, very great Ian Dury (and the blockheads) who also happen to have made a record called "Clever Treva" the bassline for which was used as the basis for "Can I kick it?" by a tribe called quest...

Damn, Beggar's Song by Fairport Convention, even.

Always look on the bright side of life

"Bring me sunshine" as sung by Morecombe and Wise necause it makes me want to do a really soppy dance like they did

Current favourite happy song is 'Is it just me?' by the Darkness - because the bass line reminds me of carefree 'debauchery' back in the 70s. They seem to have pinched the best bits off a lot of old songs and stitched them together rather well.

'Come up and see me (make me smile)' - by Cockney Rebel - was The Song on the hockey tour where I met Mr T - also back in the 70s.

Despite the content of its lyrics, I think I'd have to go for Jilted John by Jilted John

The Cure: Friday I'm in love

Cor, two of my three have already popped up:

'Journey Of The Sourceror' & 'Friday I'm In Love'.

The other one's 'Solsbury Hill' by Peter Gabriel.

('Sledgehammer' tends to cheer up those in my company - I can't help boogying to it and anyone that saw me boogying at the winter meet will know why it raises a smile!)

Ziggy Marley's "its a beautiful day"

Talking Head's "she was"

As long as I gaze on, Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise,

The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset

Love Shack - B52s

Everyday / Oh Boy by Buddy Holly

Atomic - Blondie

Sugar Sugar - The Archies

Warmth of the Sun - Beach Boys ?

'Nice weather for ducks' by Lemon Jelly

I am really embarassed to say this but the music (not the daft singing) I find uplifting almost to the point of ecstacy. For some reason it makes me think of running through grassy fields and woodland as a child during long, hot summer holidays.

In fact I'm listening to it now...

Also 'Happy ever after' on the end of Ian Browns 'Solarised' album. It seems to soar till almost the end then just as it reached the climax it calms to nothing and trails out. A bit like making love to a beautiful woman........

Note to self: Must stop drinking turps.