Sing a song
(Sing) sing a song of songs
(Sing) sing it out
Sing it strong (sing, sing, sing, sing)
Yeah!
Yeah!
-Neil Diamond
Every Gen Xer can remember trying to catch lightning in a bottle when it came to getting our favorite songs on a cassette tape. We would dutifully sit by the radio with our index and middle fingers firmly planted on the play and record buttons in hopes that the song we wanted to avoid paying for at Camelot Music would come across the radio dial. To this day most of us still say we “taped” something when referring to anything we recorded on our smartphones—some things never change!
Today the process is obviously much easier with the ability to stream music. And, while the new way of listening to our favorite songs is slowly destroying the existence of traditional radio stations, the ability to find and play a tune so easily has greatly benefited our society, particularly when we are in dire need of a mood changer.
The mood changing playlist is a concept that was born while driving home from Physical Therapy the other day. It had been a rather blah couple of days, and I was suffering from the usual Cleveland sports letdown after the Browns literally “had a problem” in Houston. Then, while pulling onto Pleasant Valley Boulevard, the first song on the list below—Holly Holy—was randomly shuffled onto the Bose speakers in my blue Nissan Murano.
Instantly, the dark clouds surrounding me that morning vanished, and I was transported to a much happier place. It had been ages since last hearing the lesser-known Neil Diamond song, but that didn’t stop me from singing along. Next thing you know, I was pumping my fist and exclaiming “YEAH” just as loud as the legendary, Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter!
Upon arriving back at home, I put together a playlist consisting of songs with either personal meaning or a backstory. I associate them with certain people or times in my life. But each selection also has unique musical or lyrical facets that fall under the indescribable column as to why they seem to hypnotize me and bring about a lighter, more joyful mood.
Here are my top ten songs in no particular order. Click on each to listen.
Holly Holy is a classic that you will surely find yourself singing along with, particularly when the man they called “The Jewish Elvis” belts out, “And I fly.”
Wanna Be Startin' Somthin' never disappoints. Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa is just the cure when you feel like a vegetable. Thank you Michael Jackson.
Interstate Love Song by The Stone Temple Pilots is a ‘90s classic that transports you to a windows-down, care-free car ride on that first beautiful, warm spring day of the year. Who doesn’t love the first opportunity to do something so simple after a long, cold winter?
The Weight performed by John Denver is one of the rare instances where the person covering the song does it better than the original artist. His voice was unquestionably one of the greatest of all time. This version of the song proves it. I just wish he hadn’t taken that line from Holly Holy so literally. What a loss.
My Town by Cleveland’s Michael Stanley Band is a song that sparked immense pride in my hometown during some rough years in Northeast Ohio. The blue blockers- wearing, cigarette-smoking, bearded rock ‘n’ roller driving around the beautiful city on the lake in a classic car with his bandmates could go down as my favorite music video of all-time. Quintessential MTV…and 1983.
How I Got Over from Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace album that was recorded live in 1972 is an absolute game changer and helps us move on from the blues maybe more than any song on this list. The Queen of Soul accompanied by the Southern California Community Choir is a remedy for anyone in need of one—and a reminder that we can get over anything.
You Make My Dreams (Come True) may be the only hope the world has for Daryl Hall and John Oates to reconcile. If they really listen to this masterpiece, both would probably realize that without the other guy, no one’s dream would have come true!
Paradise City has never, ever disappointed in changing one’s demeanor or mood. As soon as that whistle blows and Slash starts shredding the guitar, oh man! Guns’n’Roses, thank you. This song makes up for naming an album The Spaghetti Incident?
1812 Overture (Finale) by Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky with the actual cannons is undefeated in the mood-altering business. Never have cymbals sounded more glorious than in this incredibly powerful work of music. For some reason, at one point in this masterpiece, I always picture the scene from Forrest Gump when Lieutenant Dan is yelling at God while Hurricane Carmen pounds away at him.
Gonna Fly Now helps us see not only the brighter side of life, but leads each listener to believe that the impossible is possible—at least for the 2:48 duration of the Rocky classic!
Creating a mood-changing line-up of songs should be encouraged for anyone in need of a temporary lift. We are at times besieged with sadness and depression, and while such a playlist isn’t a long-term cure, it can serve as the hand we reach for when we need to be pulled out of the mire of life. Sometimes all you need to do is just press play, and as the Doobie Brothers advised us, Listen to the Music.
-Tommy O’Sionnach
Please feel free to share a song or two in the comments section. Everyone can benefit from adding some instant joy to their playlists!
I hated when you pressed record when your new favorite song came just as someone calls you.
Great list. I love that you included STP. Also starting with Neil Diamond who is a great to sing along with artist though I would have went with Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show but they are all good. I always liked Start Me Up by the Stones and Pump It Up by Elvis Costello to change moods. Ohh and this gem, maybe you know it from the lyrics “ The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive.” One last thing, the 1812 overture is always best with real artillery. Now, time for some music.
Music is my medicine. It’s gotten me through many difficult times. I am a fan of the 60’s music. Palisades Park ad Imagine are two mood lifters for me.