5 Songs That Make Me Really Happy
Being home has always made me reach for my favorite playlist and jam out to a song that transports me to another world. Music, like other art forms, are especially important during times of panic and fear. I offer you these songs to bring you a spark of joy today. Connect. Relax. Enjoy.
I typically don't listen to full albums right away and that’s why songs, individually, have to be extremely powerful for me to add them to my yearly list AND even more powerful to have me click and find out more about the artist and the albums they've created. These songs had me researching artists and hunting down similar sounds just to feel the same way I did on my first listen.
HoneyBody
Kishi Bashi &
Nu Deco Ensemble
When I hear an upbeat, genuinely happy song that strays away from straightforward “pop” genre, I am intrigued by this special flair. This is usually the song that is not found playing on the radio, but respected and loved by fans all across the world. When I find these songs, I usually send them directly to my brother. He likes movies without irony, and music without twits or taunts. So all of these songs would definitely fit his playlist. THIS song I know for sure he would like because I sent it to him within a minute and 10 seconds of listening. He immediately donned it as “The Coca Cola Commercial Song” despite this having never been linked with Coke products. It reminds him of the happy and energetic vibes that are often affiliated with Coke and their marketing. This song starts off with a beautiful orchestra playing full-bodied harmonies and a catchy, soothing, and uplifting melody that immerses you into the upbeat, jovial tune including staccato vocals, electronic beats, and lyrics you automatically sing along to (whether making up your own rendition or quickly picking them up). It’s as bubbly and refreshing as a tall glass of… well, you know.
FFO: Sylan Esso, Born Ruffians, alt-J
LISTEN TO THIS SONG: SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, OR ON MY PLAYLIST.
“Oh Honeybody
Whatcha doin’ Sunday?
Maybe sippin’ a Coca-Cola with me, babe”
GOODIE BAG
Still Woozy
This song came across my radar a few times before I clicked it and finally surrendered to listening on repeat. I don’t know why, but for the longest time when a piece of media is doing “well” by popular standards, I avoid it like the plague. Hamilton? I did not even LISTEN until last week. The Tiger King? I had to be convinced by not one but BOTH of my brothers. BUT after Nick THEN Gari told me about this song, I finally clicked it. I was regretful I didn’t listen sooner. It’s zen. It’s peace. It’s gripping. It’s like enjoying the best red wine with your three closest friends and laughing about the word “canopy.” It grooves, it moves, it chills, it builds. It’s everything you want, and more than you need.
Also- the video is a good watch.
FFO: Dr. Dog, Vulfpeck, Masego
LISTEN TO THIS SONG: SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, OR ON MY PLAYLIST.
BUTTERCUP
Hippo Campus
This song encapsulates great moments and projects them before your eyes; like an old family video you found laying in your den. For me, it brings me back to childhood. Senior prom, skip day at the beach, aquariums, carnivals with funnel cakes, overloaded baked potatoes with (Vegan) sour cream and extra, extra “bacon” bits and broccoli. I can’t tell you how happy this song makes me, where it brings me, where it inspires me to go. It reminds me, to be quite honest, about driving in my black VW Bug to Rocky Neck State Park on my senior skip day, windows down, music “blaring” through my Beats Pill my friend held in the passenger seat. [Even just a few years ago, the aux cord was still a prized possession, and an anomaly in most older cars]. Surrounded by happy memories, it has a powerful vibe to it; a sense of security, false or not. This indie rock band has been putting out classics since they started in 2013, but came across my radar in 2016 with their single, “Boyish.” They were put on the map even more when NPR named them one their favorite new artists of 2017.
Their music always drops me down into a movie scene where suddenly everything feels important; glances to the left and right are in slow motion, smiles curl slowly, intentionally, and nothing could go wrong. Pizza is cheesy and the crust is thin, and vibes are good, chill, and forever. The water is warm, so jump in, turn this song up, and live forever. (Even if the water is currently your bath tub- I am sure this song will you bring you far away from your quarantine).
FFO: Bleachers, Bahamas, Rainbow Kitten Surprise
LISTEN TO THIS SONG: SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, OR ON MY PLAYLIST.
Bur Hurbur
Kid Mountain
This is the “Fourth of July fireworks”, “Boston summer night” song I crave. Obviously, all music is subjective to the listener, and it matters to the listener more when, and where, and how they learned the song in the first place. Without the back story of summer romance, this song is driving with the top down, boogie-groove funk you crave. It’s the mix of neo-psychedelic sprinkled with trippy folk rock that we all deserve. It’s Animal Collective vibe status, with The Shins’ sex appeal that provides almost an eastern ambiance. This song F*CKS. As my boyfriend would explain it, “smoking a blunt in the dojo.” It will have you bobbing your head, shaking your hips, texting your ex, and repeating it daily, hourly, or after every play (like me?).
Kid Mountain, who were going to go by Kid Heaven but it was “too morbid”, started out in 2011 right around the bend in Rhode Island. They describe their goal as “bridging the gap between mindless dance tunes and thoughtful societal conversations that are stuffed into a box of enigmatic dreams,” and I completely agree. Every song is like walking into a cartoon with your dreams in reach and your worries left behind the screen. It’s fun, playful, and enjoyable. They recently put out a new album entitled The Birds Are In Misery on April 1st and I highly recommend a listen (or five) through it. If that doesn’t catch your ear, I suggest their 2012 album, Happies.
FFO: Animal Collective, (Sandy) Alex G
LISTEN TO THIS SONG: SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, OR ON MY PLAYLIST.
Wave of Light (Live)
Masakatsu Takagi
I think the reason why some songs make me actually joyful, not just happy, is because of the joy I had when I first heard them. This is my “Chicago Song.” In January, I moved into a sublet that my best friend Jackie had just moved out of to live with her boyfriend down the road, save money, and be closer to him. I was absolutely spoiled by their love my entire stay. Jackie had left the room decked out with “Jackie flair”, which included: her hand painted drawings that are intricate, realistic, and creative; her comfortable bed with a cool hippie circular awning that draped over the top of my head while I slept; drying colorful flowers, towels, and everything else you could have needed. “I left my yoga mat too, I knew you’d like that.” One day when I was fooling around in the room, this song came on and I think I repeated it and listened for the next 20 minutes. When I hear a song I like, I can’t change it. I am like a frozen statue in time, wanting to remain in the same moment and mood I had felt the first time I listened. It probably takes away the song’s feeling for future listens, but in that moment, it’s everything.
This upbeat, eclectic, dancing instrumental song written by Japanese writer and filmmaker Masakatsu Takagi will touch every fiber of your being and bring you on a journey. Mine took me through a garden of white and pink flowers, with wind chimes, fresh smells of lavender and mint, and alleviated the looming stress of my week.
FFO: The Books
LISTEN TO THIS SONG: SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, OR ON MY PLAYLIST.
5+ Songs That Make Me Really Happy Playlist
I would love to hear YOUR favorite songs and the ones that bring you the most unbridled joy! Please drop a comment below or DM me on my Instagram @autumnelizasheffy !! In addition, please add them to this collaborative playlist on Spotify so everyone can listen! <3 I think everyone could benefit from a playlist full of happy songs around the world right now.
ADD YOUR FAVORITES TO THIS COLLABORATIVE PLAYLIST
SONGS THAT MAKE US HAPPY - PLAYLIST
BONUS TRACK
Raconte-Moi Une Histoire
M83
I was shown this song in Boston: windows down, blaring from old van speakers, coming in and out via the crappy aux cord that our generation seems over-saturated by. Ben Fox, a truly amazing person, has always showed me some great musicians such as: Tom Misch, widened my view on LCD Soundsystem, and Bibio. He’s also my favorite person to talk about movie soundtracks with, since he is on his way to being a household name for composition, so we have spent our fair share of time going back and forth on Spotify- him showing UP, and me Finding Nemo tracks, not to mention discussing Olafur Arnalds at nauseam and much more. However, despite having immense knowledge in many different types of music- he also has wonderful taste. I would trust him with any aux cord- which is a lot to say (If anyone has ever been in car with me, I think you know what I mean). Anyway, coming back from a mixing session, Ben was driving us back to school and he had been blasting a playlist I was a big fan of when this came on. I was already a fan of M83, having listened to “Midnight City” about a million times before and it provoking interesting scenes in my head. I had never explored their music though, which is a shame, but after this song with its curious childish voiceover, “silly” lyrics, it took me on a joyous ride of laughter, freedom,
and giggles. I hope it will do the same for you.
FFO: MGMT, Passion Pit
LISTEN TO THIS SONG: SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, OR ON MY PLAYLIST.
Thanks for reading. Stay safe. Stay at home.