Top 20 Songs That Will Always Make You Smile
Who's ready to smile? For this list, we’ll be looking at those songs that have the power to change your mood and make the world feel like a brighter place.
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00:00Wake me up before you go go, don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down
00:09our picks for the top 20 songs that will always make you smile.
00:13Uptown funk you up, uptown funk you up.
00:17I said, if you be my bodyguard, that can be all, all, all about.
00:22For this list, we'll be looking at those songs that have the power to change your mood
00:32and make the world feel like a brighter place.
00:35What song never fails to put a smile on your face? Let us know in the comments below.
00:40I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby I'm sure.
00:55Life always looks that little bit better when the weather's on your side,
00:59but for Katrina and the Waves, happiness just doesn't come any stronger than this.
01:04Yeah, I'm walking on sunshine, whoa, I'm walking on sunshine.
01:11Walking on Sunshine is happy songwriting at its very best,
01:15coupled with a catchy, can't-get-it-out-of-your-head kind of melody.
01:18I'm walking on sunshine.
01:21A regular on many movie and TV soundtracks, it's a record best played at the beginning of the day
01:27and is the perfect fit for any summer playlist. It'll have you heading to the beach in no time.
01:3419. Dancing Queen, ABBA
01:51Whether it really is Friday night and the lights are low, or just any other evening of the week,
01:56this song will always leave you smiling from ear to ear.
02:04Looking a far place to go.
02:08A worldwide number one hit for Swedish Euro disco pioneers, ABBA, Dancing Queen is probably one of
02:14the most iconic records of the 20th century. From the piano intro to the harmonic fade-out,
02:20we've been digging the Dancing Queen for decades, and will likely do so for decades to come as well.
02:3318. Mr. Blue Sky, Electric Light Orchestra
02:48Another weather-related record at number 18, and one of the most instantly upbeat songs
02:53ever sung. With lyrics that literally play out the replacement of a rainy day with a sunny one,
02:59Mr. Blue Sky personifies the summer sky itself, and turns him into one hell of a hero.
03:11Written by Jeff Lynne during a stay in the Swiss Alps, the ELO frontman had
03:16struggled for inspiration during a dark and misty two weeks in the country.
03:20But then the weather brightened up, and so too did his writing.
03:24Thus came the record you're probably singing along to right now.
03:4017. I Want You Back, The Jackson 5
03:50The Jackson 5 had more skill than most when it came to making us smile,
04:00and though we almost went with the iconic ABC,
04:07I Want You Back just about edges it. The very first Jackson 5 single to be released by Motown
04:12Records, it launched the 5-piece on their way to worldwide fame, and showcased to everybody
04:18the pop king potential of one Michael Jackson. Despite its love-lost lyrics,
04:31the song is infectiously uplifting, no matter how hard your day has been.
04:3616. Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
04:52A supremely standout song from more recent memory, Uptown Funk flows through just about
04:57everybody's veins when this record plays, and that's definitely something to smile about.
05:0617. Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
05:10Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars bring out the very best in each other for this one,
05:14to create a worldwide hit with playful lyrics and a party-startin' belter of a beat.
05:24Mars had previously got us grinning with the Lazy Song,
05:27but while chillin' in our Snuggies sounds good, hittin' our Hallelujah sounds even better.
05:3615. I Got You, I Feel Good, James Brown
05:47Uptown Funk might never have been a thing at all were it not for our next artist.
05:52Widely considered the founding father of funk in general,
05:56James Brown could tap into human happiness unlike anybody else.
06:0516. I Got You, I Feel Good, James Brown
06:12I Got You is a signature tune and a go-to record for anyone who feels like getting their groove on.
06:23Dancing and smiling comes naturally whenever and wherever this song plays,
06:27and we all but guarantee that you're at least tapping your toes this very second.
06:3614. Happy, Pharrell Williams
06:50Forgive us if this choice seems a little on the nose,
06:54but Happy will have its listener feeling just that. When this song plays,
06:58the smile seems to flow as freely as Pharrell Williams' award-winning vocal work.
07:0515. Despicable Me 2, Supervillain Gru
07:10A track produced as part of the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack,
07:14it features in the film at a pivotal moment when Supervillain Gru has fallen in love.
07:26The character dances through the streets saving ducklings and catching frisbees,
07:30inspiring us all to get out and do the same thing.
07:3613. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
07:54Ever since its release in 1969, the song has developed its own unique history.
07:5814. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
08:05Originally, Diamond stated that it was written for JFK's daughter, Caroline Kennedy. However,
08:10he later admitted that he was writing it for his wife, Marsha. Sweet Marsha just doesn't flow the
08:16same. 15. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
08:24It developed a strong significance for the people of Boston,
08:27as it has been played at every Boston Red Sox home game since 2002.
08:34In 2013, Diamond announced that he would donate the royalties to help victims of the Boston
08:39Marathon attack. This wholesome history only improves the smile factor of this song.
08:44Good times really never looked so good.
08:47Good times never seemed so good.
08:5612. Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
09:05Clearly, the 60s were a decade well worth smiling about.
09:09Up next, The Beatles, who, with Here Comes the Sun,
09:12created one of the most hummable hooks ever known.
09:17It's a record that we owe entirely to George Harrison,
09:22who wrote it in Eric Clapton's garden, and using one of Clapton's acoustic guitars.
09:35A song saturated in positivity, All You Need Is Love might have made our Beatles entry,
09:40but Here Comes the Sun has our smile just that bit broader.
09:4411. My Girl, The Temptations
09:53Our faces might ache from having smiled so much so far,
09:57but buckle up, because we're only halfway there. A record with nothing but positive
10:01energy running through it, My Girl's lyrics are romantic beyond comparison.
10:06I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.
10:12And its rhythmic, wave-like delivery helps lighten the mood of anybody listening.
10:17If you've had a hard day at the office or gotten a poor grade at school,
10:21throw this on and dance away. Nothing can make you smile like My Girl.
10:2510. Three Little Birds, Bob Marley and the Wailers
10:42This laid-back reggae beat is a great way to start your day, or to finish it off.
10:47Legend has it that the song was inspired by canaries that used to visit Marley at his home.
10:52While this has not been proven, it is a wholesome thought.
10:59The song's lyrics are timeless and send the message of letting go and accepting the way
11:03things are, because eventually, everything works out. This message combined with the
11:08reggae rhythm makes it a relaxing song perfect for those days you're feeling down,
11:12or if you just want to lay back and watch the world go by.
11:229. Waka Waka, this time for Africa, Shakira
11:32The FIFA World Cup is a time of excitement, and where athletes push themselves to their
11:37physical limits. In 2010, it created one of the happiest anthems in the history of sports
11:42to commemorate the event. It has everything you could want from a pump-up song, with
11:50inspirational lyrics, Afro-Colombian rhythm, and a catchy beat. The song did face controversy
12:00though, as many felt like an African artist should have been chosen since Africa was hosting
12:04the event. Despite this controversy, the song has experienced international success,
12:09and continues to bring smiles to athletes and non-athletes alike.
12:148. Move On Up, Curtis Mayfield
12:26If you need nine minutes of uninterrupted happiness in your life, and really, who doesn't,
12:31then look no further than Move On Up. A combination of 70s soul and funk,
12:35it was released on Mayfield's debut solo album, titled Curtis.
12:40Mayfield sings about the roller coaster ride that is life. At times it may get rocky,
12:46but you should forever keep moving and never give up. The song has been influential in soul
12:50music and beyond, so it made sense when Kanye West used a sample of the iconic song in his 2006
12:57single, Touch the Sky. Detailing his rise to fame, Kanye's version only reasserts the message
13:07in Move On Up. 7. You Can Call Me Al, Paul Simon
13:22You know that when a song has a penny whistle solo, you're in for a good time.
13:29The title and chorus of the song was born out of a funny encounter where composer-conductor
13:34Pierre Boulez called Paul and his wife Peggy by the names Al and Betty. We've all had those
13:39moments, but like Bob Ross might say, this proved to be a happy little accident and created this
13:50gem of a song. The actual meaning of the song is open to interpretation due to its metaphors,
13:54but generally it's all about finding yourself in the world, something that definitely needs
13:58some musical inspiration. 6. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough,
14:07Michael Jackson Have you had enough yet? No? Then we're
14:12not stopping here. There are so many great Michael Jackson songs to choose from, but ultimately,
14:16we went with Don't Stop Till You Get Enough since it marked many firsts in what would be a historic
14:21career. It was Michael's first solo record under Epic Records, it marked his first solo Grammy
14:31and American Music Award, and it also presented his signature vocal hiccup.
14:43The song is pure electricity,
14:45and it's next to impossible not to dance when it starts to play.
14:535. Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys
15:04As with many entries on today's countdown, the idea of happiness is often synonymous with an
15:09idea of innocence, but in no other song is that relationship better felt than in this one.
15:156. Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys
15:21Wouldn't It Be Nice is an idealized version of the future,
15:24sung from one lovestruck sweetheart to another. Fairly conservative as far as rock and roll
15:29records go, it served as the opener to The Beach Boys' legendary Pet Sounds album,
15:39and has become a must-listen for any soon-to-be-married couple.
15:457. Celebration, Kool & The Gang
15:59Basically all you need to know about the next entry is the title.
16:02When this little number starts to play, your body moves with a will of its own.
16:06Celebration was written with help from all nine members of the gang. With so many talented
16:18artists coming together, it's no wonder that it's experienced international success.
16:26A staple for parties and weddings, it guarantees that everyone will come to the dance floor and
16:30have a good time. You don't even need a reason to put this on, so what are you waiting for?
16:34Why not go and put it on right this second and celebrate?
16:433. September, Earth, Wind & Fire
16:51It's got groove that will make you move, plus it's certified gold, baby.
16:55This was songwriter Allie Willis' first attempt at writing for the band. She learned from Maurice
17:00White, the band's frontman, that sometimes the groove is more important than the lyric,
17:05which explains the repetition of Bada Ya.
17:14It's the very groove of the song, the seamless flow of the lyrics, and White's peppy tenor
17:19that makes it such a joy to listen to, a perfect way to chase away the blues.
17:242. Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin
17:43Well, you heard the man, or in some cases that freaky singing fish hung on the wall.
17:48Fish aside, this was the first a cappella song to take the number one spot on the Billboard
17:52Hot 100 chart, and even knocked out Guns N' Roses' Sweet Child of Mine in the process.
18:05The simple mantra of Don't Worry, Be Happy was actually inspired by Mayor Baba,
18:10a spiritual master, who would repeat this message to his followers. Those uplifting
18:14four words combined with the song's soothing melody are bound to melt anyone's worries away.
18:223. Send Me On My Way, Rusted Root, an essential for any road trip playlist
18:40You Make My Dreams, Hall & Oates, a throwback to carefree summer days in the 80s.
18:45It's A Beautiful Day, Michael Bublé, it's impossible to have a bad day if this song's playing.
19:02Nine In The Afternoon, Panic! At The Disco, a feel-good tune at any time of day.
19:08Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell. There ain't no river wide enough
19:19to stop us from playing this track at every occasion. Before we continue, be sure to subscribe
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19:42go into your settings and switch on notifications. 1. Don't Stop Me Now, Queen
19:54Queen's songs can make you happy just singing along. This is partly because the lyrics always
19:58flow seamlessly with the music. Don't Stop Me Now is definitely no different. It's fast, upbeat,
20:08and with lyrics like a tiger defying the laws of gravity, this song will have you feeling
20:13indestructible. For reasons that defy logic, it didn't receive immediate success in the US
20:22and took some time to climb the charts.
20:32Nevertheless, it's a timeless track now and never fails to brighten up the room
20:36no matter the occasion. Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip
20:46from Ms. Mojo and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.