By MussoliniHeadkick
So be warned, it’s all about the happy this week. Not my default mode I’ll be honest as witnessed by the fact that I originally suggested the theme of dystopias to our esteemed Landlord. Thankfully, he wisely and understandably demurred in light of the optimism engendered by a Labour Party landslide and a possible end to decades of Three Lions hurt. Notwithstanding the continued hurt, football wise, the suggestion to think again made me reflect on my current state of mind. Unusually I found myself in a very happy place, not because of current cultural, social or political developments in the United Kingdom but because I had met someone who was, and still is, making me very happy.
As an over-thinker, and as your nominations rolled in, I began to think about how the concept of happiness would guide my choices for the A-List. I decided that I would eschew joy (sorry lots of joy and joyous nominating folks) as in my current situation that was just too euphoric and suggested an ecstatic reverie that didn’t quite fit the bill. Therefore, I decided that my choices would be guided by the very time specific subjective feelings of happiness that have recently been engendered by my tentative welcoming of someone new into my life, after a good number of years of feeling that I would probably never again experience the happiness which that can bring.
Just to say thank you for all your nominations because, as usual for me, the basis to the playlist choices only became apparent as I listened to your song suggestions on the theme of happiness. Also forgive me if I don’t personalise reasons for each choice as I’d just like you to imagine how each choice might have been arrived at from the perspective of someone who has met somebody recently who is becoming increasingly special to them. In addition, I’m not good at schmaltz so I’ll let the songs do the singing.
Oh and as I’m so happy I decided to break the rules and put Felicity by Orange Juice in the A-List because it’s so great and I remember buying it for a young love many moons ago and happiness, oh happiness, this is the sound of happiness …
If You’re Happy and You Know It – A-List Playlist:
Burning Spear – What a Happy Day (nosuchzone)
Brian Power Ft. Lucita Jules – Optimistic (magicman)
Jackie Wilson – Because of You (DiscoMonster)
Stevie Wonder – You are the Sunshine of My Life (ParaMhor)
Blood Sweat and Tears – You’ve Made Me So Very Happy (AltraEgo)
The Verve – Lucky Man (Barbryn)
The Rolling Stones – Happy (SweetHomeAlabama)
Tim Buckley – Happy Time (Fred Erickson)
David Sylvian – Let The Happiness In (ajostu)
Mazzy Star – Happy (TarquinSpodd)
Goldfrapp – Happiness (Barbryn)
Gordon Haskell – Just a Lovely Day (Fred Erickson)
Orange Juice – Felicity (Uncleben)
Be Happy – B-List Playlist:
Molly Drake – Happiness (Severin)
Perry Como – Make Someone Happy (Marconius7)
Nancy Sinatra – Happy (vanwolf)
Elmore James – Happy Home (Nicko)
The Beatles – I’m Happy Just to Dance with You (SweetHomeAlabama)
The Doobie Brothers – Feelin’ Down Farther (BanazirGalbasi)
Delays – Nearer than Heaven (ParaMhor)
Nirvana - Dumb (In Utero version) (happyclapper)
XTC – Stupidly Happy (Nicko)
The Shaggs – I’m So Happy When You’re Near (TarquinSpodd)
Just Smiling, Laughing and Being Happy Wildcard Mix:
The Flatmates – Happy All the Time
BMX Bandits – E102
Jesse Garon and the Desperadoes – Laughing and Smiling
The Mighty Lemon Drops – Happy Head
My Bloody Valentine – Sunny Sundae Smile
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Collective joy? Songs about happiness. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
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