Happy Songs

Tackle piles of trials with smiles, as you load up your iPod with snappy numbers guaranteed to bring out the sun on the gloomiest of days. If the concept of happiness had its own theme song, it would have to be Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy," while Freddie Mercury is so full o' joy that he wants to be called Mr. Fahrenheit, because he's travellin' at the speed of light, on "Don't Stop Me Now." Lousy weather is no problem for Gene Kelly, who's "Singin' In the Rain," Parachute Club celebrates peace, love and freedom on "Rise Up" (which won a Juno for 1984's Single of the Year), and Michael Bublé helps us find endless pleasure in "Everything." Still making the frowny face? Then follow us to Next Steps . . .

It's impossible to over-rate chocolate, and the same applies to happiness, which is why we had absolutely no problem compiling this selection of instantly uplifting tunes. New wave one-hit wonders Katrina & The Waves will put a spring in your step with "Walking On Sunshine," Kylie proves that small is beautiful — and endlessly energizing — by milking gallons of joy from the mono-syllable "Wow," and the Police keep cynicism to a minimum on the bright and breezy "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." And what better cure for the blues than a buck-toothed Liverpudlian with mad hair and a tickling stick: enter Ken Dodd, with "Happiness." A little gloomy in spite of everything? There's plenty more in our Deep Cuts.

Looking to put a little joy in your soul? Join in with the Edwin Hawkins Singers on the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day," then allow Herman's Hermits to put a big old grin on your mug with "I'm Into Something Good." Bryan Adams defines "Heaven" as that place discovered when two lovers lie in each others' arms, while the Nylons cover the Turtles "Happy Together" with an added dose of a cappella. If the clouds persist in hanging over your head, we can't recommend anything stronger than Louis Armstrong's "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" without a doctor's prescription. And believe us, you won't need anything more robust. Yay, Satchmo!

There's nothing like a song in your heart to put a smile on your lips, and nothing better to put that song in your heart than having it easily accessible on your iPod. From the a cappella bounce of Bobby McFerrin to a cheery crucifixion ditty from Monty Python, we can turn that frown upside down. It may be a tune from the silver screen (as with Gene Kelly's immortal "Singin' In the Rain"), a '90s hit from a bunch of Brit-rockin' Yorkshiremen ("Getting Better" by Shed 7), a classic reggae sun-splash (Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds"), or a blast of big band exuberance ("Let the Good Times Roll" from Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra) — whichever way you prefer it, we'll happily help you lighten your load with the click of a button.