In 3 minutes a happy song could indeed turn your day around. These 10 happy songs are great options to make you smile. You may feel blue, but by the time you've listened to all of these, you just might find that grin creeping across your face. Don't miss the Top 10 Sad Songs as well.
1. Turtles - "Happy Together" (1967)
Courtesy White Whale
This classic song of romantic joy was the only #1 pop song from the band the Turtles. The song captures relatonship bliss so well it has been used in countless movies and TV shows as well as being adapted for television commercials and covered by a wide range of recording artists.
2. Johnny Nash - "I Can See Clearly Now" (1972)
Courtesy Epic
This unabashedly happy song helped popularize the sound of reggae in the US. It was also considered a much needed change of pace from many of the serious, downbeat pop hits of the time. Singer Johnny Nash was one of the very first American artists to record reggae songs in Jamaica. Johnny Nash had some success as a pop singer in the US in the late 1950s. He travelled to Jamaica in 1968 and recorded several locally popular singles. "I Can See Clearly Now" successfully brought the rocksteady beat to the US pop charts.
3. Katrina and the Waves - "Walking On Sunshine" (1985)
Courtesy Capitol
There are few things happier than confidence in a romantic relationship. One of the most deliriously happy pop hits of all-time was written by singer-songwriter Kimberley Rew. He also wrote Katrina and the Waves' "Love Shine a Light" which won the 1997 Eurovision song contest. "Walking On Sunshine" was the first major hit single by Katrina and the Waves reaching the top 10 in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada.
4. Hanson - "MmmBop" (1997)
Courtesy Mercury
The brother trio Hanson blasted into the pop spotlight with this irrepressibly cheerful #1 pop hit. Like many extremely popular songs, "MmmBop" did face backlash in some quarters likening listening to the song over and over to a form of torture. However, now that the backlash has faded, it is possible to truly appreciate the upbeat sound of this #1 debut for Hanson.
5. Drifters - "Up On the Roof" (1963)
Courtesy Atlantic Records
This song about finding escape from the noise and stress of the city is one of the great feel-good pop songs of all time. The Drifters took it to the top 5 on the pop singles chart in 1963. James Taylor brought it back into the pop top 40 in 1979. He added a poignant touch to the song's history by playing it at the Concert for New York City in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The song was played to demonstrate ongoing love for the city.
6. The Monkees - "I'm a Believer" (1966)
Courtesy RCA Records
Written by Neil Diamond, this classic pop song went to #1 on the charts in the US for seven weeks becoming the biggest hit of the year. The powerful upbeat sound of the song owes itself to the redeeming power of love. The band Smash Mouth took the song back into the pop top 40 with a version included on the soundtrack to the movie Shrek.
7. Corinne Bailey Rae - "Put Your Records On" (2006)
Courtesy EMI
Referencing a classic Bob Marley hit, Corinne Bailey Rae introduced herself to the world singing "Three little birds sat on my window/And they tell me I don't need to worry." This song hit #2 on the pop singles chart at home in the UK and was nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year Grammy Awards.
8. Beatles - "Here Comes the Sun" (1969)
Courtesy Apple Records
Few pop songs are clearer examples of the confidence that hope springs eternal. The Beatles' George Harrison wrote the song during a difficult winter in which he felt swamped by business and financial dealings with Apple Records. He walked away one day to visit his friend Eric Clapton and wrote this song while walking around the garden.
9. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta - "You're the One That I Want" (1978)
Courtesy RSO Records
"Sandy!" exclaims John Travolta near the end of the movie Grease. It is the introduction to one of the movie's magical numbers, a deliriously happy love song that is also sexy and danceable. The song is not included in the original play Grease. Instead it was written by John Farrar, a frequent collaborator with Olivia Newton-John, for the film. This hit went to #1 on the pop singles chart in at least a dozen countries around the world.
10. Deee-Lite - "Groove Is In the Heart" (1990)
Courtesy Elektra
As the song intro says, "We're going to dance and have some fun." Dance group Deee-Lite brought this oddball classic into the top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Get up and dance and sing along. You'll find most of your concerns and cares have magically floated away. Parliament bassist Bootsy Collins is featured on the original recording, as well as Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest rapping.
