Blogcritics has posted a list of the Top 25 Positive Songs of Popular Music. After a long, drab, winter, postive songs are just what I need! You can find the full list here, but I’m going to riff on the songs that resonate with me, likely because they bring back moments in my own life. Maybe I’ll add a few more, too. (Links go to YouTube.)
24. “Hold On Tight” by ELO
ELO was always just there during high school, not a band I followed but always fun to listen to when they played on the radio.
21. “Top Of The World” by The Carpenters
No question, Karen Carpenter had one of the best pop voices ever. Fun to sing along with as a child.
18. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
Still cringe when I hear it, but the video makes me laugh to this day!
17. “Beautiful Day” by U2
Awesome, awesome song, one of the songs that carried me post 9/11.
16. “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
Even though I was around eleven when this song was released, I imagined myself singing it to my baby daughter someday. Never did have a baby daughter, ended up singing The Who’s “It’s a Boy” and Talking Heads “Stay Up Late” (Cute. Cute. Little baby./Little pee pee. Little toes.) to my sons instead!
15. “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens
Ah, Cat. I was a big fan.
14. “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” by Simon & Garfunkel
13. “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash
Both these songs really bring me back to childhood. There were so many great pop songs to sing along with during the 70s!
12. “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skyryd literally crashed and burned as I entered high school. I have to agree, this song’s simple but clear message worked.
9. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
I didn’t get this song as a kid. I get it now. Not entirely convinced it’s “positive”, though.
8. “Do You Realize??” by The Flaming Lips
Another great, great song. I get chills when I hear it.
7. “Heart Of Gold” by Neil Young
Another one that I’m not sure why it’s on the list. It’s kind of sad, always searching for a heart of gold. I think he found one, because he came up with the amazing ode to longterm love, his Harvest Moon LP.
3. “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles
I really believed it was as simple as this. Would like to believe it again.
2. “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Another song I didn’t appreciate until I was an adult.
My additions:
“The Rising” by Bruce Springsteen.
I spent the summer of 2003 going to as many Springsteen concerts as I could. This song in concert was as close to a spiritual experience as I’ve had in years.
“Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles
When I was little I didn’t even really know who the Beatles were. I did know I loved this song, though!
“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys
I liked the Beach Boys as a kid. I heard this song and I loved the Beach Boys.
“Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure
I know, The Cure isn’t a band you typically would think of for “positive songs” but this one says no matter how bad your week is, come Friday, you’ll be in love! Doesn’t get more positive than that.
“Wonder” by Natalie Merchant
Maybe it’s just the timing, this song came out when I was starting to really appreciate the wonder of my oldest son, and it made me feel good whenever I heard it (even if the video does emphasize girls!)
Even when the song itself isn’t so positive, hearing music always lifts me up. Just the process of finding these videos has made me happy! (And if anyone finds a link to “Isn’t She Lovely” that isn’t a cover or karaoke let me know!)
Thoughts? Additions? Comment!
3 Comments
was thinking of several Flaming Lips songs as I read the list, was happy to see one there! One most in my head recently: “You Can’t Stop the Spring”
On the rest of the list, I just love “Dancing in the Streets,” but not so much Martha & and the Vandellas. The Jagger/Bowie version is my favorite video of all time. Then again, I haven’t seen many music videos since that one came out.
So many of these songs bring back such memories happy, nostalgic, melancholy. As I read your post and the original post I had to remind myself that there’s a difference between a positive song and one that puts you in a good mood. I have to ponder that more. I agree on Feeling Groovy, I can see clearly. I’d agree with Walking on Sunshine from the original post. The Rising was one of the best albums of all time that actually meant something and as sad as it was it really had hope to it.
As for me, I’d throw in “Jump” Van Halen, “Everybody Have Fun” Wang Chung and “SuperFreak” by Rick James. Many more….thanks for posting