Top Ten Songs for an Instant Lift
19 03 2008Lasanthi Bandara | lasanthi@nus.edu.sg
the ridge transmedia
A NUSSU Publication
There are those songs you could listen to over and over again just because they smile in the face of a world gone wrong. Some of them provide the perfect soundtrack to the morning coffee. Others are more about attitude. With many apologies to the Doobie Brothers, Dire Straits, Toploader, Starship, Carl Orff , Black Eyed Peas, Billy Joel and other greats who I couldn’t include, here’s a list of instant pick me ups.
10. Heart and Soul – Performed by Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia
If you’re staring blankly at the title and going ‘huh?’ you’re not alone. You probably have heard this tune before, but very few people seem to know the name of this upbeat little number. For those of you who do know the song by the title, you would remember that it’s from the movie “Big” starring Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia, from the memorable scene in the toy shop where they play/hop a duet on a giant key board. The music was actually written by Hoagy Carmichael and was published in 1938. Despite being written 70 years ago, this cutesy little duet remains as fresh as a pigtailed little girl, skipping in a garden of daisies.
9. Grace Kelly – Mika
In 2007, Mika stormed in with the eccentric hit “Grace Kelly” and danced his way straight to our hearts. With a sound that’s a cross between Robbie Williams and Freddie Mercury, Mika’s refreshingly catchy tunes and whimsical videos are a welcome break from the norm. The ultimate pick me up kind of song, this is also the perfect one to boogie to alone in your room. (Curtains closed of course) Ka-ching!
Picture credits: Amazon.com
8. I believe in a thing called love – The Darkness
If Mika were to join a band, he’ll be perfectly at home with The Darkness. Spirited, playful and positive, what’s not to like about this song? Lead singer Justin Hawkins does an impressive falsetto throughout most of the song. Though only the extremely brave (or impossibly drunk) should attempt to sing it, it’s still a great song to bob your head to.
7. The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Evening Birds
For those who didn’t know (such as myself), The Evening Birds were the first to record this song in 1939, and it became an instant hit. It was then known as “Mbube” which is Zulu for ‘lion’. Since then it has been covered by numerous artistes, the most popular being the version in Disney’s production ‘Lion King’. It’s the perfect singalong song that anyone can join, with only a few lyrics, lots of possible harmonies and the bare minimum beat required. It’s also the perfect song to wake up the neighbours at 3am.
6. That thing you do – The (One Hit) Wonders
Better known as that clap song. The Wonders was a fictional band in the movie “That thing you do”. Directed by Tom Hanks, the film follows the story of the band. In the movie, the song is originally written as a ballad but becomes the upbeat track we know today during the band’s first performance. Bubbly and fun, it’s perfect to spark off a clap attack.
5. Grease Megamix – Grease
Yes this is sort of cheating. Instead of picking one I get to pick the whole lot. But admit it, so would you. Olivia Newton John became everyone’s sweetheart as Sandy, in the musical about a sweet young thing that falls for the cocky gang leader Danny Zuko. And we love the look on Danny’s face when she steps out all decked up in black leather. Upbeat and catchy there’s only one way to describe the soundtrack: It’s electrifying!!
Picture credits: www.allmoviephoto.com
4. Eye of the tiger – Survivor
Few songs probably give out such a powerful vibe during the first ten seconds alone. Written on the request of Sylvester Stallone for Rocky III, the song shot up the charts in 1982 and also won a Grammy Award. Since then it has become an icon of its own right. It has also been covered many times in genres from death metal to what ever you call the genre that Alvin and the Chipmunks sing. The song celebrates the never say die attitude of a person testing his limits to hold on and achieve their dreams. Bursting with pure uninhibited energy from start to finish, it’ll give you the push you need for the seemingly impossible uphill task.
3. It’s my life – Bon Jovi
From the big hair and wicked guitar riff days of the 80s to the mellowed down and mostly mainstream take these days, Bon Jovi has changed with the times. Whether the crooning love songs are a change we welcome is debatable. Whether he has made some amazing hits along the way however, is a question without dispute. The fact that you have at least one memory of headbanging-of-sorts and yelling out this song partially off key with a bunch of friends reinforces the fact that this is an anthem and it will stay that way for a long time to come.
2. We are the champions – Queen
So what if Freddie Mercury was decked out in leotards or impossibly short shorts? That did nothing to diminish the legend that was Queen. The chisel jawed, long haired bunch took the world by storm with their quirky yet gut wrenching songs. Freddie himself admitted that he had soccer on his mind when he came up with the song, and it resonates with the passion you associate with the game. Any song about the underdogs fighting their way to the top against impossible odds has to strike a chord. And when it’s Freddie striking that chord, it takes things to a whole new level called legendary.
1. Summer of 69 – Brian Adams
Nostalgia, forgotten dreams and a second look on the perfect summer gone by. This song is not just about that hazy summer in 1969, but about the memories all of us keep inside from that one last moment we had before stepping into adulthood. About the heartbreaks and goodbyes and the decision to look back on it all through rose tinted glasses and move on with your life. All sung in that heavenly voice. In this crazy world that spins us out of control, we all need a reminder to stop and look back on the best days of our lives.
Photo credits: musicblog.ugo.com
It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive ..
^-^
I love Bon Jovi with beautiful songs like Always, I’ll be there, and Ballad of Youth too.
Rock forever ;)
Agreed! Also included for me are a few songs like “We will Rock you” and “All the Small things”….
“Drive” by Incubus is also quite uplifting. For me it is, anyway. ^_^