Baker's Dozen

All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within. – Horace Friess

I recently perused Marc Faber’s 2009 “Gloom, Boom and Doom” report and sadly, it’s all doom and gloom, with no boom to be found anywhere. Basically, Faber predicts that the near future “will be a total disaster, with a collapse of our capitalistic system as we know it today, wars, massive government debt defaults and the impoverishment of large segments of Western society.” Add to this depressing analysis the even more terrifying fear of total world destruction in 2012 (as predicted by the Mayan calendar and the ever prescient, Nostradamus) and there doesn’t seem to be much to be happy about. Well, always the contrarian, I say fuck the naysayers, let’s muster a little positivity and try to enjoy our time on this earth, however long we have. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a groovy playlist to help inject some light into the ever-present darkness (both figuratively and literally) that’s enshrouding the globe. Crank it up, and as Elvis Costello once proclaimed, “Get Happy!”

“Good Times Ahead”

Mercury Rev

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It’s hard to discern just what Mercury Rev are singing about on this dreamy b-side from the Stillness Breathes anthology (”Open the dawning/cars are crawling/Their rides outside are snoring/and it’s pouring with rain,” huh?), but there’s no denying the positivity that beams from the chorus: “Just like she said. Good times ahead.” Really, it’s hard to listen to this track and not feel kind of tingly inside as you briefly, however fleeting, are filled with hope.

“Happy”

Bruce Springsteen

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Sometimes all you need is a good woman to make you happy, as Springsteen eloquently relates in this gorgeous ballad from the Tracks collection. I know my wife has the power to fill me with joy even after I watch the six o’clock news. No amount of reportage on famine, earthquake, unemployment or war can overtake the happiness I feel when she’s by my side. For all you upcoming brides and grooms out there, this track would make a killer first dance. Don’t believe me? Check out the full lyrics here.

“Asleep On a Sunbeam”

Belle and Sebastian

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The hyper literate, sometimes hyper twee, but consistently brilliant Belle and Sebastian take a respite from the adolescent angst to sing about the simple pleasure of being outdoors. Set to a breezy champer pop arrangement with perky horns and lilting guitars, Sarah Martin and Stuart Murdoch gush about the comfort of a day among nature: “All I need is somewhere I feel the grass beneath my feet/A walk on sand, a fire I can warm my hands/My joy will be complete.”

“Wild and Free”

Curtis Mayfield

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I consider Curtis Mayfield to be a preacher, a funky, soulful preacher who uses music to spread his good vibes. And I’m a loyal member of his flock, following his uplifting messages about peace and social consciousness as I move my body to the groove. Although he can express outrage when needed, his messages are always couched in a refreshing optimism. “Wild and Free” stands as one of my favorite of his musical “sermons.” “Wild and free is the way I wanna be/Making a new day/Leading in a new way/Respect for those people/Power to the people.”

“Good Good Day”

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

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Nick Cave is the last person you’d expect to see on a list of songs about happiness and hope. The man put out a whole record about murder, for crying out loud. The dark Cave lets a little light in on this unreleased love song from B-Sides And Rarities Volume I-III. The Mary referenced in the track must be one helluva woman to be able to make Nick Cave sound bright and cheery. For his sake I hope she sticks around. For my sake, I hope she doesn’t, for although I dig this song, Cave has been a great guide to a violent and twisted world I only visit in my nightmares.

“Sunnyside”

Deerhoof

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Satomi Matsuzaki sounds like a 13 year-old on helium, but her childlike innocence married to the dissonant din behind her make for a giddy musical experience, one that’s certain to bring a smile to your face. I’m not quite sure what exactly she’s singing about, but it sure sounds happy to me.

“Happy Day”

Talking Heads

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I’m probably missing something here, as I don’t take David Byrne as a guy who sings anything straight. There’s likely some irony that I’m oblivious to, but it sure seems like the head Head is feeling good: “I feel…feel nice inside right here/And now it’s…summer again.” Take a listen and let me know what you think.

“Feeling Good”

Nina Simone

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“Feeling Good” was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd and has been covered by countless artists, most notably Muse. But nothing will top Simone’s sultry 1965 version, which she inbues with a pointed political undertone when she belts out the final lines: “Stars when you shine you know how I feel/Scent of the pine you know how I feel/Oh freedom is mine/And I know how I feel.”

“Happy Time”

Daniel Johnston

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You can make the case that there’s nothing positive and uplifting about this track from Daniel Johnston’s 1994 album, Fun. I beg to differ. My take is that Johnston finds comfort in fondly looking back at his childhood, a time of innocence when he wasn’t burdened with the mental illness that would plague him later in life. There’s something wondrous about his simple rememberances: “The sun would shine/The candy bars/Kool Aid flowing like wine/The comic books/The TV shows/The bubble gum/The kitty cat…”

“Music Makes You Happy”

Blo

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The Nigerian band Blo’s 1976 album Phase IV sells for upwards of $200 on the Internet and for good reason. This platter of wax bristles with a deep, almost psychedelic funk groove that recalls the best of Grandfunk or Sly & the Family. And who can argue with the message. If music can’t make you happy then it’s time to check out.

“Perfect Day”

Lou Reed

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This song was used brilliantly in the overdose scene in Trainspotting. In fact, I think it’s one of the finest blends of music and celluloid in recent memory. But the grim accompaniement in the 1996 film doesn’t change the fact that “Perfect Day,” when taken at face value, is a simple ode to simple romantic pleasures. Again, you can argue the true meaning behind this song is a twisted love letter to smack, but it won’t change the fact that it makes me feel good.

“Come Sing Me A Happy Song To Prove We All Can Get Along…”

Bert Jansch

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The full title of this charmer from 1969 is “Come Sing Me A Happy Song To Prove We Can All Get Along The Lumpy Bumpy Long And Dusty Road.” How’s that for a cheerful string of words? This jaunty folk song has the instrumental verve to match the witty title and it features par-for-the-course brilliant acoustic fretwork from Jansch, one of the finest guitarists to ever pick up the six-string.

“You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything…”

Faces

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Bert Jansch ain’t got nothing on the Faces when it comes to charming long-winded song titles. The full listing for this classic Faces love song is “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything (Even Take The Dog For A Walk, Mend A Fuse, Fold Away The Ironing Board, Or Any Other Domestic Short Comings).” There’s something to be said for feeling so happy that you’d look forward to doing menial household chores. The supergroup of Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones (Ronnie Lane had already left at this point) deliver the burner with their typical raucous energy. Too bad it proved to be one of the last gasps of a criminally underrated band.

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