Feel-good Cheer-up Songs

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Dec 14 - 11:37 PM

Forgot to mention: The sheet music for SUNNY DISPOSISH can be viewed at the website of York University of Toronto.

Click for catalog entry.

Click for a PDF.

Subject: Lyr Add: SUNNY DISPOSISH (I Gershwin, P Charig)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Dec 14 - 11:22 PM

Beeliner posted just the chorus up above, but here's the rest.

You can hear this at YouTube, sung by Frank Crumit or by Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster.


SUNNY DISPOSISH
Words by Ira Gershwin; music by Philip Charig. ©1926.

1. Any time the thunder starts to rumble down,
Don't let hope tumble down,
Or castles crumble down.
If the blues appear, just make the best of them.
Just make a jest of them.
Don't be possessed of them.
At the risk of sounding rather platitudinous,
Here's what I believe should be the attitude in us:

CHORUS: A sunny disposish' will always see you through
When up above skies are blah 'stead of being blue.
Mister Trouble makes our faces grow long,
But a smile will have him saying: "So long!"
It really doesn't pay to be a gloomy pill.
It's absolutely most ridic', positively sill'.
The rain may pitter-patter.
It really doesn't matter,
For life can delish'
With a sunny disposish'.

2. Must confess I like your way of viewing it.
No use in ruing it
When gloom is bluing it.
Taking your advice, the sad and weary'll
Have no material
To be funereal.
It's a thought that they should all be swallowing, my dear.
Look at me; already you've a following, my dear.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 12:43 PM

Well, I don't really go for cheer-up songs - give me long, gloomy ballads too. I actually feel sort of depressed after a whole evening of supposed to be humorous songs and end up with a headacehe, although I feel I have to at least try to LOOK amused, so as not to be a killjoy, a party pooper, the skeleton at the feast as everybody else wipes away tears of hilarity..oh dear..

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Bruce MacNeill
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 07:32 PM

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 07:29 PM

All the Good People
Bloody Well Dead

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Smokey.
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 07:14 PM

Jollity Farm

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Uke
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 04:52 PM

"Happy days are here again"

"Jolly good company" (Here we are again / Happy as can be / All good friends and jolly good company...)



There's a good CD out there with lots of cheer-up songs:

"Looking on the bright side: 25 chgeer-up songs, 1925-1941"
(Living Era)

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 12:49 AM

"Will the turtle be unbroken"

Got it all - drama, tension, tragedy, a happy ending and a good chorus to a tune most people know.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Clontarf83
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 08:17 PM

Some ideas

Pack up your sorrows (Richard and Mimi Farina)
Everybody's reaching out for someone (Allison Krauss w/ Cox family)
Ripples (Grateful Dead)

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 06:31 PM

Mr. Sunshine by Chris Rawlings! I just picture that beautiful smile of Danny Greenspoon- Mr Sunshine!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: olddude
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 06:25 PM

This is the one I play when i feel down
accent-U-Ate the positive

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Old Vermin
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 06:13 PM

Cheer up my lads, 'tis to glory we steer
...

[Hearts of Oak]

A good rousing tune.

Always look on the bright side of life ...?

[Monty Python - Life of Brian]

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 12:32 PM

Going back a year, my uncle had the Ying Tong Song played at his funeral. That's cheered you all up hasn't it

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,RedBuzz
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 07:22 PM

"Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts is great.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,whatsittoya
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 12:15 PM

Ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong diddle-i-po!
(or Bluebottle Blues or Major Denis Bloodnok's Rock and Roll Call Boogie or - well, you get the idea)

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 10:43 AM

Maybe it's because I'm American, or maybe it's just my personality, but I hate it when people give me orders. Thus, when somebody writes a song telling me to cheer up, I resent the song and will never sing it.

Somebody mentioned 'Put on a Happy Face.' That's a good example - didactic words, irritating tune. That would never cheer ME up.

That's why my selections (upthread) are songs about beautiful things, rather than about human attitudes.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 Feb 10 - 06:06 PM

'One of us Cannot be Wrong' - Laughing Len Cohen !

I refuse to believe that is anything but a Comedy song !

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: brezhnev
Date: 07 Feb 10 - 06:01 PM

Roll on Buddy by the fab Greenbriar Boys always makes me feel good.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: beeliner
Date: 07 Feb 10 - 04:59 PM

"Sunny Disposish", music by Philip Charig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin.

Sung with great aplomb by Manhattan Transfer on their Jukin' LP.

A sunny disposish will always see you through
When up above the skies are black instead of being blue
Mr. Trouble makes our faces roll on
Not a smile without his saying 'so long'
(I'm on my way!)

It really doesn't pay to be a gloomy pill
It's absolutely most ridic, positively sil,
The rain may pitter patter
It really doesn't matter
For life can be delish
with a sunny disposish!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Elisabeth
Date: 07 Feb 10 - 04:48 PM

Well, seeing that somebody mentioned Rogers and Hammerstein songs, I'm surprised you haven't remembered "My Favorite Things" and "I Whistle A Happy Tune." And while we're on a Broadway kick, how about "Tomorrow" and "Put On a Happy Face"?

Another fun one is "Be Optimistic" from the Shirley Temple film Little Miss Broadway. Another good one of hers was "This Is A Happy Little Ditty" from Just Around the Corner.

In another genre, the Sons of the Pioneers did a great toe-tapping number called "Yippi-Yi Your Troubles Away."

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 06 Feb 10 - 07:41 PM

Eric Bibb's "Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down".

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 06 Feb 10 - 05:57 PM

Guest, from Feb 4 - I love the face in your signature. Such depth!



Hello, Young Lovers
The Old Lamplighter
Surrey With Fringe on the Top
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob bobin along

Mousethief, thanks for mentioning Wonderful World. It is a good dulcimer tune.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Gurney
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 11:35 PM

Most of the songs above are a little pink-and-frilly for my taste.
Try listening to any of the 'Chas and Dave' CDs, particularly the earlier ones.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Artful Codger
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 09:56 PM

"Pucker Up and Whistle"

"I Don't Care"

"Painting the Clouds with Sunshine"

"Livin' in the Sunlight"

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 02:03 PM

The blues. All of it, used the right way.

~S~

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: mousethief
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 12:09 PM

One of my favo(u)rite songs: What a Wonderful World.

I very much enjoy the version by Joey Ramone. Far more than I thought I would. Not as good as Satchmo of course, by a LONG shot, but worth listening to all the same.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: jennyr
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 07:50 AM

Not remotely trad (but neither are a lot of the songs above): 'Walking on Sunshine', by Katrina and the Waves

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,ô¿ô
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 11:57 PM

How about: You Stole My Wife, You Horse Thief.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: fat B****rd
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 01:09 PM

If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 11:02 AM

Hi, semi-s. Thanks for the account of Daisy Mae's rise and fall. 'Too happy to sing anything but cheerful melodies, she instantly alienates the entire radio industry.'

Reminds me of an account I recently read from a journalism student. The class was told to write up a story, any story. Then they had to rewrite repeatedly until they had found a negative aspect, no matter how minor, and made it the focal point. They were told that unless they did that, the media would never buy their writing.

Are we being constantly manipulated? I guess so.
===========
When I feel happy, I don't sing songs telling me to cheer up, I just sing happy songs. Examples:

Old Devil Moon (smile while singing it)
Peter's Fountain with true yodeling
Something Grandish from 'Finian's Rainbow'
   (that might not be the actual title)
Out of my dreams and into your arms from 'Oklahoma'
A Very Precious Love

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,SkinnyRed
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 10:26 AM

Tomorrow Is Another Day by James Keelaghan

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: semi-submersible
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 10:01 AM

The Sunny Side of the Street (just belt it out in the open air)

The Happy Wanderer (a lot sappier, but enjoyed through the years) or Oh, What a Beautiful Morning (takes more wind; I can't sing it as well while walking).

Yip-I-Addy-I-Ay:
As I remember one episode of Al Capp's classic comic strip, beautiful Daisy Mae pours out in sorrowful songs her unrequited love for Li'l Abner into a hidden microphone placed by a team of crafty radio producers who make her the unwitting star of a nightly live radio show. Her beautiful voice and mournful lays inspire criminals to give up crime, misers to become generous, and all manner of people to turn to good works. But when Daisy Mae discovers that she herself is Li'l Abner's radio dream girl ("The Frail of the Lonesome Whine") she breaks into a joyful chorus of "Yip-I-Addy-I-Ay." Too happy to sing anything but cheerful melodies, she instantly alienates the entire radio industry. All over the nation, illdoers revert to evil ways with a new spring in their step. Worst of all her beloved Li'l Abner, like the rest of her audience, permanently lost interest the moment she strayed out of her genre of sad songs. Sic transit gloria.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Jillse
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:29 PM

You Mustn't Be Discouraged from the musical Fade Out, Fade In, starring Carol Burnett.

tis adorable.

A Little Help From My Friends-The Beatles.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: quokka
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 09:55 PM

'I Can See Clearly Now' - Hothouse Flowers version

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 09:42 PM

A group from circa 1925-1930:

"Hallelujah" (Vincent Youmans, iirc)
"Great Day" (also Youmans, iirc)
"Get Happy" (Dietz & Schwartz, iirc). Sung by Judy Garland in Summer Stock
"Kickin' the Blues Away" (Irving Berlin)
"Kickin' the Clouds Away" (Gershwin, 1925, from Tell Me More)
"Clap Yo' Hands" (Gershwin, circa 1926 from Oh, Kay!)

also "Top of the World" a 1974 Carpenters hit.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 04:07 PM

A good one that is fairly obscure is "It's a Great Little World!" from the 1925 Gershwin musical, TIP-TOES, available here:
http://www.amazon.com/Tip-Toes-Tell-Me-More/dp/B00005RGM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224791545&sr=1-1

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Jayto
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 02:06 PM

Funk Soul Brother by fat boy slim. I don't even like techno but for some reason that song sticks in my head and gets me in a good mood. I guess I have to surrender to the fact I like it even though I really don't want to admit it.

Manzanita by Tony Rice picks me up

Love Shack by the B52s even though I turn it every time it comes on lol It is a goofy song that picks me up

I don't know lol The songs that seem to pick me up are he ones I never ever listen to. I avoid them most of the time if I can at all. I guess maybe goofiness itself picks me up who knows lol

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 11:52 AM

Boodle Am Shake always makes me feel good.
I've been playing Get Out Those Old Records by Carmen Lombardo a lot lately.

Get out those old records, those old phonograph records,
The ones we used to play so long ago.
Although they sound scratchy, the tunes really were catchy,
Especially when they say, "I love you so."

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 11:49 AM

"You Mustn't Be Discouraged" from the Carol Burnett musical Fade Out - Fade-In (circa 1964), Styne, Comden and Green, iirc

done in the style of Shirley Temple and Bill Robinson

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: topical tom
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 11:39 AM

And now...back to whatever songs you consider cheer-ups or feel-goods.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 10:35 AM

LOL...I knew an Armstrong who had similar thoughts about certain other names...

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Suffolk Miracle
Date: 23 Oct 08 - 06:53 AM

All depends on your viewpoint. Fellow once said I'd cheered him up by singing Bonny George Campbell (Home came his saddle all bloody to see/Home came his good horse but ne'er home came he). His name was McDonald.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: topical tom
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 11:36 PM

LOL! What a great variety there is in we humanfolk! Ya gotta love it!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 11:16 PM

How about "I'll Share My Moonshine If You'll Show Me Your Jugs."......lotsa' happiness there!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: quokka
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 10:51 PM

I'm with you,Jayto! I love a good murder ballad or some such!%-}

One of my favourite sad songs that cheer me up is 'My Antonia'. Although sad, it's also strangely uplifting!

Cheers,

Quokka

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Jayto
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 08:45 PM

Sad depressing songs cheer me up.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: topical tom
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 08:38 PM

Good songs one and all! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: GUEST,Judy Cook
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 08:32 PM

Why should we at our lot complain or grieve at our distress
Some think if they could riches gain twould be true happiness
But alas, how vain is all their strife, life's cares it will not allay
So while we're here with our friends so dear, we'll drive dull care away.

--and so on thru all the verses.

-----

Begone, dull care! I prithee be gone from me!
Begone, dull care! You and I will never agree!
Long time hast thou been tarrying here and fain thou wouldst me kill
But in truth, dull care, thou never shalt have thy will
For too much care will turn a young girl grey
And too much care will turn a young man to clay

---

Bill Staines' "Spririt Song" is another.

---
Now you've got me wanting to get together and sing with friends again.
My friends and I will dance and sing so merrily thru the day
For I find it one of the wisest things, to drive dull care away.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 08:19 PM

The days are short and the nights are long
And the wind is nipping cold.
The tasks are hard and the sums are wrong
And the teachers often scold.
But Johnny Macree, oh, what cares he,
As he whistles along the way,
As he whistles along the way?
It will all come right by tomorrow night,
Says Johnny Macree today.

*

Oh, all the money that e'er I spent,
I spent it in good company,
And all the harm that e'er I did,
Alas! it was to none but me,
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall,
So fill to me the parting glass.
Good night, and joy be with you all!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 07:53 PM

It's a Small World After All, sung with motion of putting finger down the throat and gagging. :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 07:46 PM

One of my favo(u)rite songs: What a Wonderful World.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Bernard
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 06:42 PM

Al-ways look on the bri--ight si-ide of life,
Didum, didum didum didum!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: bobad
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 06:29 PM

Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 06:25 PM

ummm..Zip-a-dee-doo-dah

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my what a wonderful day!
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actch'll
Ev'rything is satisfactch'll
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Alan Day
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 05:47 PM

"Sing as we go and let the World go by"
I think this is one of Gordon Brown's favourites.
Al

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: topical tom
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 05:00 PM

bobad: One I've always loved to sing.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: bobad
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 04:35 PM

"Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life.
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life."

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: topical tom
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 04:25 PM

Those are really up-lifting songs. I especially like "Smile" as sung by Nat "King" Cole. Thanks, Ron.

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 04:23 PM

ONCE AGAIN, these song types are caused by the disease I have named Touchy-Feely-oma.

And now you know!!

Topic and thread ought to be over and done. (Joe, A word to the wise...)

Arthur D. Thieme

Subject: RE: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: bankley
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 03:58 PM

"You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd"   by .... Roger Miller

'Smile'    by Charlie Chaplin.. written as theme music for his last silent movie "Modern Times" 1936... lyrics added in 1954 by Turner/Parsons and became a hit for Nat 'King' Cole....
beautifully encouraging song

Subject: Feel-good Cheer-up Songs
From: topical tom
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 03:28 PM

These days when, at least in this corner of the world, the days grow shorter and colder and most of the news is depressing (and when isn't it?) I think it would be nice to think back to songs that were meant to raise our spirits and encourage us to be more positive and optimistic. Or, on the other hand, are we truly and forevermore a bunch of old farts? As examples of such songs (okay, some propaganda I admit)I offer the old war classic "Pack up your Troubles in your old Kit Bag"("Smile Smile Smile") and "The Whole World Smiles With You". Alright, really OLD songs but so am I!