7 Songs to Lighten the Mood
Listen, shit is fucked up. I’ll spare you all the obligatory “unprecedented times” jargon, but I think it’s safe to assume that we all could use a pick-me-up. Over the past year and a half, artists of all genres, taking advantage of the forced introspection that has accompanied this time spent locked inside, have released pensive and profound music that has facilitated many an existential crisis. There’s certainly a place for this kind of art, but right now I’m not really into the whole thinking thing. From time to time, you just need a guaranteed good mood, no strings attached. So, in no particular order, here are seven songs to play when you just need to turn your brain off and revel in the good times.
1. “Karma Chameleon” – Culture Club
With an alluring harmonica lead, Boy George’s sweetly crooning voice, and an infectious pop-funk backbeat, what’s not to love about this 80’s classic? Featured on Culture Club’s 1983 opus Color by Numbers, this single quickly shot to the top of the charts and remains one of the biggest-selling singles of all time in the UK. The band effortlessly fuses the cheeriest elements of country, soul, pop, and funk to create a groovy ditty that keeps the listener smiling from start to finish.
2. “Bodhisattva” – Steely Dan
With a discography as substantial as Steely Dan’s, it was hard to pick just one song by the beloved jazz-pop duo. But nothing makes me jump out of my seat quite in the same way that “Bodhisattva” does. Opening the band’s 1973 album Countdown the Ecstasy, this up-tempo jazz-rock gem flaunts a bouncy, in-the-pocket chord progression and an undeniable rhythmic groove. I don’t know what Walter Becker put in those guitar leads, but my Spotify history provides damning evidence that it’s addictive.
3. “Believe” – Cher
When Cher underwent a surprising metamorphosis from her glam-influenced classic rock era in the 80’s to club-dance in the early 90’s, she made one of the most timeless hits in pop history. The music has served as a blueprint for all manner of club music since, and the melody of the chorus has echoed across generations of carefree twenty-somethings trying to get their minds off their troubles. Today, it serves the same purpose as well as ever. No one comes close to the queen, long may she reign.
4. “Long Time Gone” – The Chicks
This song will transport you back to every Southern cookout you’ve ever been to, assuming you’ve been fortunate enough to attend one. Burgers on the grill, sweet tea in debaucherous quantities, and an unshakably easygoing temperament – that’s what this song brings to mind. As the highest-selling country band and all-female band (in any genre!), The Chicks have made their well-deserved fame and success capturing the nuances of the South – the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the case of “Long Time Gone,” its irresistible energy, coupled with lead singer Natalie Maines’ charming twang, makes for a delightful slice of Southern life.
5. “Peter Piper” – Run-D.M.C.
I’m convinced the only person that wouldn’t be made to move by this song is Han Solo, post-Carbonite. With its sparse, punchy beats, playfully boastful lyrics, and rappers Run and D.M.C.’s lightning-fast vocal baton passes, this song has a potent groove and an undeniably funky disposition. Each perfectly-placed syllable on “Peter Piper” drips with swagger and exuberance, demonstrating the qualities of hip-hop that would later become characteristic of the genre. Run-D.M.C. are an untouchable staple of hip-hop, and this song is an energy-packed testament to why this is.
6. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” – Ms. Lauryn Hill
Another essential artist in the 90’s hip-hop milieu, the multitalented Ms. Lauryn Hill released one of the most game-changing albums of all time in 1998 with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. As the lead single of the album, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” was an instant classic, as it put Hill’s judicious rapping style, her refined singing voice, and her earthy, organic production up on the pedestal they deserve. This song is upbeat, funky, syncopated, and a surefire way to boost your mood.
7. “Life’s Incredible Again” – Michael Giacchino
This one might seem out of left field compared to my other picks, but I really couldn’t bring myself to exclude this song from this list. It’s nostalgically familiar to anyone who grew up in the early 2000s and an easily recognizable gem in The Incredibles’ soundtrack to anyone else. Its sharp brass stabs and jazzy chords radiate swank and suavity, making this track so culturally iconic that it has seen consistent use in Internet culture long after its 2004 release. I personally use this song as an alarm clock – it’s the perfect way to start your morning with a spring in your step.
