Happy Songs

Face piles of trials with smiles, as you load 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 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 "Singing In the Rain".

Still making the frowny face? Then follow us to Next Steps . . .

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 uplifting — by milking gallons of joy from the mono-syllable "Wow", and the Police keeps 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". 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 "Singing In the Rain"), a '90s hit from a bunch of Brit-rockin' Yorkshiremen ("Getting Better" by Shed 7) or a blast of big band exuberance ("Let the Good Times Roll" from Jools Holland) — whichever way you prefer it, we'll happily help you lighten your load with the click of a button.