I was also happy to see Freedom 90 on this list, because that's a legitimately great song (one of the best songs of the 90s) that seems to be mostly forgotten.
It's probably going to take me 6 months to make my list with the care this question deserves... but I highly commend to your attention "The Princess Who Saved Herself" by Jonathan Coulton, which will be #1 on my list today, tomorrow, and forever. It is flat-out hilarious.
Here is a Spotify playlist for Joe's Happy Songs. It appears that the only songs not available on Spotify are Excuse Me by Amy Arena and Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks. The playlist says that there are 282 songs, so if you see any mistakes or duplicates, let me know and I will fix them. Thank you, Joe, for all of your great writing!
Lots of songs on here I'm going to have to find and listen to... Two artists (and songs) i didn't see (or missed): Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters (although the Rockin 1000 youtube version from Italy is even better) and Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs.
After making the list of “Happy” and “Glad” songs that I posted yesterday, I went back to my iTunes library and made a list using Joe’s definition of Happy Songs. Mine ended up at 163 songs. I’ll just mention a few of them – some of the performers who don’t show up on Joe’s list but are among my favorites.
Hitchcock Railway – Joe Cocker
Fast as You – Dwight Yoakam
Count On Me – the BoDeans
I Thank You – Bonnie Raitt
Born on the Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Shting-Shtang – Nick Lowe
Freedom Overspill – Steve Winwood
Spider Web – Joan Osborne (“I dreamed about Ray Charles last night, and he could see just fine”)
Danny’s All-Star Joint – Rickie Lee Jones (“They got a juke box that goes doyt doyt”)
Down to the Nightclub (Bump City) – Tower of Power
Of course I don't agree with all the songs. Some I don't think are happy, some I don't know or know and don't like. Some songs I wonder how they could choose it over a different song by the band (I know I am not alone over Sound of Sunshine?) Some of my happy songs are probably not known by Joe or many readers.
I still love the list. Music is a wonderful and wonderfully personal thing. There is something for everyone. I will look up some of these songs I don't know and perhaps discover something new that brings me joy.
I'm loving that 'Angela' (the theme from 'Taxi') made the list - but what about 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' (the theme from 'Cheers')?
At a time when it's just not possible in most countries to call in at a spot 'where they're always glad you came', I think the Cheers theme deserves full recognition!
Pretty much ANYTHING by Steely Dan. But what about Your Gold Teeth II (for the sublime Denny Dias guitar solo) or Kid Charlemagne (for the Larry Carlton guitar part)?
Funny, Your Gold Teeth II came on in the car today. After Let Nothing Come Between You. But yes, it’s the rare song by Steely Dan that doesn’t make me happy.
I was also happy to see Freedom 90 on this list, because that's a legitimately great song (one of the best songs of the 90s) that seems to be mostly forgotten.
Jackie Wilson Said is a good song, but it should be subbed out for Bright Side of the Road. That's one of the happiest songs by anyone ever.
+1
It's probably going to take me 6 months to make my list with the care this question deserves... but I highly commend to your attention "The Princess Who Saved Herself" by Jonathan Coulton, which will be #1 on my list today, tomorrow, and forever. It is flat-out hilarious.
Here is a Spotify playlist for Joe's Happy Songs. It appears that the only songs not available on Spotify are Excuse Me by Amy Arena and Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks. The playlist says that there are 282 songs, so if you see any mistakes or duplicates, let me know and I will fix them. Thank you, Joe, for all of your great writing!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5D67raXEgyJ4ZMS1ZwjvFQ?si=pVUKNw9WSg--I_FYsITADA
Lots of songs on here I'm going to have to find and listen to... Two artists (and songs) i didn't see (or missed): Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters (although the Rockin 1000 youtube version from Italy is even better) and Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs.
Sugar Sugar by The Archies and Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim
After making the list of “Happy” and “Glad” songs that I posted yesterday, I went back to my iTunes library and made a list using Joe’s definition of Happy Songs. Mine ended up at 163 songs. I’ll just mention a few of them – some of the performers who don’t show up on Joe’s list but are among my favorites.
Hitchcock Railway – Joe Cocker
Fast as You – Dwight Yoakam
Count On Me – the BoDeans
I Thank You – Bonnie Raitt
Born on the Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Shting-Shtang – Nick Lowe
Freedom Overspill – Steve Winwood
Spider Web – Joan Osborne (“I dreamed about Ray Charles last night, and he could see just fine”)
Danny’s All-Star Joint – Rickie Lee Jones (“They got a juke box that goes doyt doyt”)
Down to the Nightclub (Bump City) – Tower of Power
Need a Spotify playlist
Off topic- nice review/commentary on Joe's Houdini book in the New Yorker.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/03/30/harry-houdini-and-the-art-of-escape
Some really good ones here, and based on your definition of "Happy Songs," these include some damn happy songs.
(Even as some are about profoundly unhappy things.)
I'd add "Amie," by The Pure Prairie League.
Of course I don't agree with all the songs. Some I don't think are happy, some I don't know or know and don't like. Some songs I wonder how they could choose it over a different song by the band (I know I am not alone over Sound of Sunshine?) Some of my happy songs are probably not known by Joe or many readers.
I still love the list. Music is a wonderful and wonderfully personal thing. There is something for everyone. I will look up some of these songs I don't know and perhaps discover something new that brings me joy.
I might have missed it, but I didn't see any Crowded House in there.
So let me offer up Distant Sun
The line: "I don't pretend to know what you want, but I offer love." gets me every time.
Can’t believe I’m posting. I’m so not musical. And especially country music. But Hey Good Lookin’ by Hank Williams is irresistibly happy.
You had me at Ebn-Ozn.
I'm loving that 'Angela' (the theme from 'Taxi') made the list - but what about 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' (the theme from 'Cheers')?
At a time when it's just not possible in most countries to call in at a spot 'where they're always glad you came', I think the Cheers theme deserves full recognition!
I was shocked at not only how many of these songs I had but that the song Joe picked by the artist is the one I would have picked.
I suggest two additions: Kathleen, by Josh Ritter and Whistling Past the Graveyard, by Tom Waits.
Oh, three: Let Nothing Come Between You, by Warren Zevon.
Four: Bodhisattva, by Steely Dan
I’ll stop now.
Pretty much ANYTHING by Steely Dan. But what about Your Gold Teeth II (for the sublime Denny Dias guitar solo) or Kid Charlemagne (for the Larry Carlton guitar part)?
Funny, Your Gold Teeth II came on in the car today. After Let Nothing Come Between You. But yes, it’s the rare song by Steely Dan that doesn’t make me happy.