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Upbeat music is stronger than coffee! It’s rhythmic, fun, and gets you singing and dancing yourself out of a bleh day! If you’re looking for some really happy tunes and the story behind them to lift your quarantine season spirits and even get you moving to the beat in your living room, you’re in good hands with Goodnet’s happy video playlist, enjoy!
1. Happy — Pharrell Williams
It’s hard to believe that this up-tempo song from the Despicable Me soundtrack, which has already become a happiness anthem of the 21st century, was only released in 2013! Written, produced and performed by American singer, Pharrell Williams, whose falsetto voice has been compared to that of Curtis Mayfield, it was the best-selling song of 2014 in the US. “Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth” sings Williams as the jaunty tempo gets your head nodding.
2. What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong
This is a beloved jazz song for many people, perhaps because it reminds us that there’s still tons of good news happening around us, despite the stories that grab headlines. Recorded in 1967, this song says there’s always something inspirational you can enjoy and learn from in our world when you intentionally seek out the magic within it.
3. I Gotta Feeling — The Black Eyed Peas
Queue this up when you need to get energized, even if you need to remain at home, and the farthest you’ll get is probably your yard! It’s a fast-paced dance-pop tune featuring futuristic synthesizers, electronic influences and a tick-tock rhythm. The song starts in a restrained manner and then moves into a throbbing dance beat of changing patterns. It’s written and composed by all members of The Black Eyed Peas, together with French producers David Guetta and Fred Rister.
4. Walking On Sunshine — Katrina & the Waves
Walking on sunshine is a gorgeous metaphor for feeling good. This jam from 1983, still a karaoke favorite, makes you feel ready to get your day glowing. Its mood-boosting effect has seen it used in multiple commercials since. Originally conceived as a ballad, songwriter Katrina Leskanich decided to sing it as a more upbeat song and the rest is history!
5. My Baby Just Cares For Me — Nina Simone
When the iconic Nina Simone recorded this song in 1957 for her debut album, she added her unique style to this jazz standard. This track remained relatively unknown, however, until it featured in a television commercial for perfume 30 years later, giving it the audience it deserved. It has since been made part of the soundtrack of several movies.
6. Mmmbop — Hanson
Listening to this optimistic boy band singing their own song in 1997 is great when your day needs a boost. In an interview with Songfacts, singer Zac Hanson said “What that song talks about is, you've got to hold on to the things that really matter… the people you've nurtured and have really built to be your backbone and your support system.”
One of the reasons we’ve included it is the comment recently shared by Martha, an Italian mom, about the impact of the song: “My eight years old daughter loves this song in 2020 during the quarantine. Greetings from Rome,” she posted on YouTube.
7. Happy Together — The Turtles
Happy Together first moved people in 1967. This quintessentially ‘60s love song has been covered by several singers since, and been featured in many films and TV shows, most recently in the trailer for the 2019 film, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu
8. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars
This song is performed in a sing-rapping style, and blends funk, pop, soul, boogie, disco-pop and a Minneapolis sound. Critics praised its instrumental style and 1980s funk music influencers. The video made by director Cameron Duddy featuring Ronson and Mars singing, walking and dancing in a city street was, by November 2019, the sixth most viewed YouTube video of all time!
9. For Once In My Life — Stevie Wonder
The most famous version of this enduring Motown song is an up-tempo arrangement of the original slow ballad speeded up and recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967. The song’s about finally finding that special someone who gives you a feeling of boundless happiness. It has captivated several artists as well as the public, with versions from The Four Tops, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Tony Bennet.
10. Don’t Worry, Be Happy — Bobby McFerrin
Released in 1988, this was the first a cappella song to reach number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. McFerrin, who wrote this song, was inspired by the simplicity of inspirational cards and posters of the ‘60s that he came across in San Francisco.
One YouTube talkback from Jasmine says “This should be the theme song for the next few weeks as we deal with the coronavirus.” Many fans do see it as a formula for dealing with life’s trials.
11. Shake It Off — Taylor Swift
This bright dance-track from popular American singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift, was greeted with surprise when it was released in 2014. This is because it was seen as a departure from Swift’s earlier country pop music style. It’s all about her bid to shake off the intense criticism that came with fame and take back the narrative.
As she told Rolling Stone: “I've had every part of my life dissected—my choices, my actions, my words, my body, my style, my music. When you live your life under that kind of scrutiny, you can either let it break you, or you can get really good at dodging punches. And when one lands, you know how to deal with it. And I guess the way that I deal with it is to shake it off!”
