My Favorite Feel-Good Songs for the Soul

This is my top ten "feel good music" for the soul. I believe I am a spirit - which lives forever. I live in an earth suit - which happens to be made of skin, bones, etc. (nice, huh?). Then, what is my soul? It is what makes me me: my mind, my will, my imagination, my intellect , and my emotions. I believe music connects with people at different levels - physical (body), soul, and spirit. These songs are my favorite songs for lifting my emotions .

Music is multifaceted. We can play for pleasure, inspiration, learning, mood enhancement, etc. Millions of dollars are made each year for movie scores -- you know, the music written to reflect the scene mood? The director's desire for the viewing and hearing audience is granted by tugging at our heartstrings through musical chords: the heart rate increasing chilling music, the tear jerking mellow notes from a violin, or the suspensful deep -dunt-dunt-dunt-dunt. Music can pull us through a gammet of emotions -- sad, melancholy, romantic, or even excited.  I thought I'd share my top 10 feel good songs. I hope they renew your vigor for the day!

I'm not sure if it's the cheerfulness tucked behind his raspy voice that wins me over every time I hear this song -- or the simplicity of a gratuitous heart observing our world. I think it's the latter. Although, I would rather hear the throaty splendor of Armstrong's rendition than any other performer sing this song - each time I hear this song, its lyrics promote a sense of good will to all earth dwellers - whether human or animal, young or old. I absolutely, positively love, love, LOVE "What A Wonderful World". And, at the risk of sounding redundant, I am simply & wonderfully enthralled with Louis Armstrong's convincing deliverance of the melody.

There is not any order to the rest of my playlist. I singled out "What A Wonderful World" because it is my all-time favorite - ever. The rest are favorites, but it would have taken a lot of effort to order them!

So, here are my other top nine, in no particular order.  Give me a beat...

No, no. This song is not the Broadway and Silver screen rendition - but the Beatles. "Here Comes the Sun" reminds me of the promise somewhere in the bible, "the mercies of the Lord are new every morning." And, hey, it's ALWAYS morning SOMEWHERE. The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" gives an optimistic outlook for the future. No matter how cloudy or rainy today has been, the sun is going to shine again. In fact - even if the sun just set, you can be sure it's on its way back round the globe to greet you in about, oh, twelve or less hours! The melancholic harmony and chords connect with bittersweet memories of challenging seasons, while the lyrics remind us that no matter what you've just gone through, or are going through, "It's all right... Here comes the sun."

I grew up listening to the Dave Clark Five. No, I am not a child of the 60s, either. My dad was (and still is) a huge, huge - no, HUMONGO - fan of the Dave Clark Five. I can probably sing every song and mimick every strike of the drum in each of their songs. Admittedly, a lot of Dave Clark songs make me happy in a nostalgic sort of way -- bringing back fond memories of my early childhood. But, seriously, how can one listen to "Glad All Over" and not feel glad, maybe not all over, but at least gladder in some form or fashion. You can't help but tap your foot to this upbeat, drum-filled, fun, fun song -- or perhaps slap your desk in unison with the intermittent boom-booms.

What can make someone happier than steadfast loyalty and love? Faithful friends, faithful lovers - committed to one another on every possible level. *sigh* How can you not feel happy listening to the mutual devotion belted out by Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell in "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"?

Ready? "Listen, Baby..."

Yes, I have brown eyes - and perhaps when I was an adolescent this first enticed me.  But, I don't care where you are, if space is conducive for movement, dancing normally ensues the opening bass strums of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl".  And, at most gatherings, if Brown Eyed Girl is on the playlist, "sha-la-la-la" and "bit-by-bit-by-bit" will be noticeably chorused by the group majority.  A great song to learn to shag-dance.  I have many fun memories as a young girl, a college student, young professional, and even as a Mommy moving and a grooving to "Brown Eyed Girl".

Sidenote: Van Morrison is a favorite artist of mine -- Moondance almost made the cut, but I wanted to diversify the featured musicians.  You should check out the song if you haven't ever listened to it.

Another nod at euphoric love - that's what James Brown's "I Feel Good" is.  A shoe-in on wedding playlists, this is another song from yesteryears that has been passed through and loved by generations for decades.

The uncomplicated lyrics are a quick learn, and the melody is unchallenging - making it simple to master and join in with confidence.  And, with all the repeating of "I Feel Good" -- by the time the song is finished, you've talked yourself into happiness, even if you began with a somber mood!

How ya feeling now?  Good?  I knew that you would.  :)

The morning of Monday, September 26, 2010 necessitated I youtube "It's A Beautiful Morning" - with a 52 degree temperature, birds singing, and the gentle but bright rays of dawn bursting through the tree tops. I posted a link to my facebook wall, opened my windows and danced around the house with my kids. "Isn't it a beautiful morning? Hear the birds sing?" They laughed, my two year old saying, "Bird?" Soon, my FB contacts were "liking" the link or commenting on it being an all time fav (similar to when I post "What A Wonderful World"). And then I considered,"feel good songs would make a GREAT HUB." I had enjoyed Dosters's Top 15 Cleaning Songs so much, that I thought, "Surely, this would stir happy thoughts." :)

So, here it is, folks, The Rascals - It's A Beautiful Morning. Enjoy!

Is this pilates class or a song hub? Yet, another flex of the neck to love's power over our happiness. Requited love, that is, is so sweet, reliable and puts a new light on what had become everyday doldrums.

James Taylor is another of my all-time favorite artists, as is his ex, Carly Simon. Although, none of hers made it to this list! So, James, I just "want to stop, and thank you, (er, baby )," for your music.

Who doesn't get excited about Christmas season? The decorations, the shopping, the gift-giving, the eating, the singing, the eating, the radio stations playing carols everywhere you go, the holiday cookies, pastries & other sweets... Did I mention I savor holiday foods - both to give and to receive. Focus. Focus. Back to the hub.

Johnny Mathis's rendition of "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" kinda pulls you into the season, and resurrects celebratory emotion and remembrances.

Happy ho ho ho to you (a nod to Harry Connick, Jr., there! Can you holla?)

A mellow tune telling listeners basically just to relax, don't worry. Do something for yourself, like putting your favorite records on. I love the soothing vocalsof Corinne Bailey Rae, and could imagine sitting on the patio, sipping a favorite drink (you insert what yours is), with her voice surrounding me. *ahhhh*

Let's take the advice of the three little birds, and put our records (or mp3 players!) on -- get lost in the music, taking solace from the chaotic pace life sometimes doles.

Are you familiar with these songs? Are they among your top ten feel good music titles?

Do you have a favorite mood-boosting tune? Please share!

Thanks for stopping by to check out this list. I hope you enjoyed it and that a smile crept across your face not less than twice... and your foot tapped at least thrice. :)

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