Happy Songs

Face 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." New wave one-hit-wonder Katrina and the Waves will put a spring in your step with "Walking on Sunshine." And even bad weather can't keep Gene Kelly down in "Singin' in the Rain." Still making the frowny face? Then follow us to Next Steps…

Herman's Hermits put a big ol' grin on the British Invasion's mug with "I'm Into Something Good," while alt-rockers R.E.M. brought a radiance to Gen-Xers with "Shiny Happy People" (with an assist from Kate Pierson of the B-52's). If you're looking to get a little joy in your soul, join in with the Edwin Hawkins Singers on the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day," or if you like your bliss served with a side of funk, try KC & The Sunshine Band's "That's the Way (I Like It)." A little gloomy in spite of everything? There's plenty more in our Deep Cuts!

Now we're going deep, deep into the heart of South Africa, where Johnny Clegg & Savuka's "Dela (I Know Why the Dog Howls at the Moon)" can't help but cheer you; just listen to the lyrics. And if you want a more laid-back kinda reggae delight, check out Jimmy Cliff's "Wonderful World, Beautiful People." Finally, 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 cross-hanging ditty from Monty Python, we can turn that frown upside down. It may be a Broadway melody (as with "Put on A Happy Face"), or a tune from the silver screen (as with Gene Kelly's immortal "Singin' in the Rain"), or even a song from the other side of the world (Johnny Clegg & Savuka's "Dela (I Know Why the Dog Howls At the Moon)"), but we'll happily help you lighten your load with the click of a button.