Spring is a great season to celebrate rebirth and new life. Pop music is the perfect accompaniment. This is an admittedly idiosyncratic list of spring favorites as few pop songs speak about spring directly. These are the songs that bring to mind for me the hope, joy, beauty, and carefree spirit of springtime.
1. U2 - "Beautiful Day" (2000)
Courtesy Island Records
U2's anthem to recognizing the beauty in the world around you is a perfect accompaniment to the new life and new spirit of spring.
2. Cat Stevens - "Morning Has Broken" (1972)
Courtesy A&M Records
"Morning Has Broken" is one of the few overtly religious songs to make the pop top 10. Cat Stevens' version remains a spiritually affirming pop classic.
3. Feist - "1234" (2007)
© Cherry Tree Records
Some of the most joyful group dance choreography ever in a music video accompanies a light as air pop song that will inspire dreams of rebirth, fun, and friends.
4. Dario G - "Sunchyme" (1998)
Courtesy Reprise Records
Dario G's mostly instrumental ode to sunrise did not reach the pop singles chart, but it was a top 10 dance hit. This song includes a perfect use of a sample incorporating portions of Dream Academy's classic "Life in a Northern Town."
5. Lovin' Spoonful - "Daydream" (1966)
Courtesy Kama Sutra
The simple joys of being in love on a spring day are the subject matter of this irresistible pop classic.
6. Patti LaBelle - "New Attitude" (1985)
Courtesy MCA
Spring is a time to make changes in life and head in new directions. Patti LaBelle's mid-80's hit "New Attitude" is the perfect theme song for these personal adjustments.
7. Simon and Garfunkel - "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" (1966)
Courtesy Columbia
Perfect spring bliss that clocks in at under 2 minutes in its original version.
8. Smash Mouth - "All Star" (1999)
Courtesy Interscope
Self-affirmation is fundamentally important for getting in the mood and mindset for spring and few recent hit songs are better for boosting self-esteem than this Smash Mouth hit.
9. Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours" (2008)
Courtesy Atlantic Records
Jason Mraz had a major pop singles chart breakthrough with this instant feel good classic.
10. Hugh Masakela - "Grazing in the Grass" (1968)
Courtesy Universal
It's purely instrumental, but the horns and jazzy soulful vibe of this classic evoke visions of sunshine, green grass, and a beautiful world.
