Who's ready to smile? For this list, we’ll be looking at those songs that have the power to change your mood and make the world feel like a brighter place.
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00:00Wake me up before you go go, don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down
00:09our picks for the top 20 songs that will always make you smile.
00:13Uptown funk you up, uptown funk you up.
00:17I said, if you be my bodyguard, that can be all, all, all about.
00:22For this list, we'll be looking at those songs that have the power to change your mood
00:32and make the world feel like a brighter place.
00:35What song never fails to put a smile on your face? Let us know in the comments below.
00:40I used to think maybe you loved me, now baby I'm sure.
00:55Life always looks that little bit better when the weather's on your side,
00:59but for Katrina and the Waves, happiness just doesn't come any stronger than this.
01:04Yeah, I'm walking on sunshine, whoa, I'm walking on sunshine.
01:11Walking on Sunshine is happy songwriting at its very best,
01:15coupled with a catchy, can't-get-it-out-of-your-head kind of melody.
01:18I'm walking on sunshine.
01:21A regular on many movie and TV soundtracks, it's a record best played at the beginning of the day
01:27and is the perfect fit for any summer playlist. It'll have you heading to the beach in no time.
01:3419. Dancing Queen, ABBA
01:51Whether it really is Friday night and the lights are low, or just any other evening of the week,
01:56this song will always leave you smiling from ear to ear.
02:04Looking a far place to go.
02:08A worldwide number one hit for Swedish Euro disco pioneers, ABBA, Dancing Queen is probably one of
02:14the most iconic records of the 20th century. From the piano intro to the harmonic fade-out,
02:20we've been digging the Dancing Queen for decades, and will likely do so for decades to come as well.
02:3318. Mr. Blue Sky, Electric Light Orchestra
02:48Another weather-related record at number 18, and one of the most instantly upbeat songs
02:53ever sung. With lyrics that literally play out the replacement of a rainy day with a sunny one,
02:59Mr. Blue Sky personifies the summer sky itself, and turns him into one hell of a hero.
03:11Written by Jeff Lynne during a stay in the Swiss Alps, the ELO frontman had
03:16struggled for inspiration during a dark and misty two weeks in the country.
03:20But then the weather brightened up, and so too did his writing.
03:24Thus came the record you're probably singing along to right now.
03:4017. I Want You Back, The Jackson 5
03:50The Jackson 5 had more skill than most when it came to making us smile,
04:00and though we almost went with the iconic ABC,
04:07I Want You Back just about edges it. The very first Jackson 5 single to be released by Motown
04:12Records, it launched the 5-piece on their way to worldwide fame, and showcased to everybody
04:18the pop king potential of one Michael Jackson. Despite its love-lost lyrics,
04:31the song is infectiously uplifting, no matter how hard your day has been.
04:3616. Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
04:52A supremely standout song from more recent memory, Uptown Funk flows through just about
04:57everybody's veins when this record plays, and that's definitely something to smile about.
05:0617. Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
05:10Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars bring out the very best in each other for this one,
05:14to create a worldwide hit with playful lyrics and a party-startin' belter of a beat.
05:24Mars had previously got us grinning with the Lazy Song,
05:27but while chillin' in our Snuggies sounds good, hittin' our Hallelujah sounds even better.
05:3615. I Got You, I Feel Good, James Brown
05:47Uptown Funk might never have been a thing at all were it not for our next artist.
05:52Widely considered the founding father of funk in general,
05:56James Brown could tap into human happiness unlike anybody else.
06:0516. I Got You, I Feel Good, James Brown
06:12I Got You is a signature tune and a go-to record for anyone who feels like getting their groove on.
06:23Dancing and smiling comes naturally whenever and wherever this song plays,
06:27and we all but guarantee that you're at least tapping your toes this very second.
06:3614. Happy, Pharrell Williams
06:50Forgive us if this choice seems a little on the nose,
06:54but Happy will have its listener feeling just that. When this song plays,
06:58the smile seems to flow as freely as Pharrell Williams' award-winning vocal work.
07:0515. Despicable Me 2, Supervillain Gru
07:10A track produced as part of the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack,
07:14it features in the film at a pivotal moment when Supervillain Gru has fallen in love.
07:26The character dances through the streets saving ducklings and catching frisbees,
07:30inspiring us all to get out and do the same thing.
07:3613. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
07:54Ever since its release in 1969, the song has developed its own unique history.
07:5814. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
08:05Originally, Diamond stated that it was written for JFK's daughter, Caroline Kennedy. However,
08:10he later admitted that he was writing it for his wife, Marsha. Sweet Marsha just doesn't flow the
08:16same. 15. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
08:24It developed a strong significance for the people of Boston,
08:27as it has been played at every Boston Red Sox home game since 2002.
08:34In 2013, Diamond announced that he would donate the royalties to help victims of the Boston
08:39Marathon attack. This wholesome history only improves the smile factor of this song.
08:44Good times really never looked so good.
08:47Good times never seemed so good.
08:5612. Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
09:05Clearly, the 60s were a decade well worth smiling about.
09:09Up next, The Beatles, who, with Here Comes the Sun,
09:12created one of the most hummable hooks ever known.
09:17It's a record that we owe entirely to George Harrison,
09:22who wrote it in Eric Clapton's garden, and using one of Clapton's acoustic guitars.
09:35A song saturated in positivity, All You Need Is Love might have made our Beatles entry,
09:40but Here Comes the Sun has our smile just that bit broader.
09:4411. My Girl, The Temptations
09:53Our faces might ache from having smiled so much so far,
09:57but buckle up, because we're only halfway there. A record with nothing but positive
10:01energy running through it, My Girl's lyrics are romantic beyond comparison.
10:06I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.
10:12And its rhythmic, wave-like delivery helps lighten the mood of anybody listening.
10:17If you've had a hard day at the office or gotten a poor grade at school,
10:21throw this on and dance away. Nothing can make you smile like My Girl.
10:2510. Three Little Birds, Bob Marley and the Wailers
10:42This laid-back reggae beat is a great way to start your day, or to finish it off.
10:47Legend has it that the song was inspired by canaries that used to visit Marley at his home.
10:52While this has not been proven, it is a wholesome thought.
10:59The song's lyrics are timeless and send the message of letting go and accepting the way
11:03things are, because eventually, everything works out. This message combined with the
11:08reggae rhythm makes it a relaxing song perfect for those days you're feeling down,
11:12or if you just want to lay back and watch the world go by.
11:229. Waka Waka, this time for Africa, Shakira
11:32The FIFA World Cup is a time of excitement, and where athletes push themselves to their
11:37physical limits. In 2010, it created one of the happiest anthems in the history of sports
11:42to commemorate the event. It has everything you could want from a pump-up song, with
11:50inspirational lyrics, Afro-Colombian rhythm, and a catchy beat. The song did face controversy
12:00though, as many felt like an African artist should have been chosen since Africa was hosting
12:04the event. Despite this controversy, the song has experienced international success,
12:09and continues to bring smiles to athletes and non-athletes alike.
12:148. Move On Up, Curtis Mayfield
12:26If you need nine minutes of uninterrupted happiness in your life, and really, who doesn't,
12:31then look no further than Move On Up. A combination of 70s soul and funk,
12:35it was released on Mayfield's debut solo album, titled Curtis.
12:40Mayfield sings about the roller coaster ride that is life. At times it may get rocky,
12:46but you should forever keep moving and never give up. The song has been influential in soul
12:50music and beyond, so it made sense when Kanye West used a sample of the iconic song in his 2006
12:57single, Touch the Sky. Detailing his rise to fame, Kanye's version only reasserts the message
13:07in Move On Up. 7. You Can Call Me Al, Paul Simon
13:22You know that when a song has a penny whistle solo, you're in for a good time.
13:29The title and chorus of the song was born out of a funny encounter where composer-conductor
13:34Pierre Boulez called Paul and his wife Peggy by the names Al and Betty. We've all had those
13:39moments, but like Bob Ross might say, this proved to be a happy little accident and created this
13:50gem of a song. The actual meaning of the song is open to interpretation due to its metaphors,
13:54but generally it's all about finding yourself in the world, something that definitely needs
13:58some musical inspiration. 6. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough,
14:07Michael Jackson Have you had enough yet? No? Then we're
14:12not stopping here. There are so many great Michael Jackson songs to choose from, but ultimately,
14:16we went with Don't Stop Till You Get Enough since it marked many firsts in what would be a historic
14:21career. It was Michael's first solo record under Epic Records, it marked his first solo Grammy
14:31and American Music Award, and it also presented his signature vocal hiccup.
14:43The song is pure electricity,
14:45and it's next to impossible not to dance when it starts to play.
14:535. Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys
15:04As with many entries on today's countdown, the idea of happiness is often synonymous with an
15:09idea of innocence, but in no other song is that relationship better felt than in this one.
15:156. Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys
15:21Wouldn't It Be Nice is an idealized version of the future,
15:24sung from one lovestruck sweetheart to another. Fairly conservative as far as rock and roll
15:29records go, it served as the opener to The Beach Boys' legendary Pet Sounds album,
15:39and has become a must-listen for any soon-to-be-married couple.
15:457. Celebration, Kool & The Gang
15:59Basically all you need to know about the next entry is the title.
16:02When this little number starts to play, your body moves with a will of its own.
16:06Celebration was written with help from all nine members of the gang. With so many talented
16:18artists coming together, it's no wonder that it's experienced international success.
16:26A staple for parties and weddings, it guarantees that everyone will come to the dance floor and
16:30have a good time. You don't even need a reason to put this on, so what are you waiting for?
16:34Why not go and put it on right this second and celebrate?
16:433. September, Earth, Wind & Fire
16:51It's got groove that will make you move, plus it's certified gold, baby.
16:55This was songwriter Allie Willis' first attempt at writing for the band. She learned from Maurice
17:00White, the band's frontman, that sometimes the groove is more important than the lyric,
17:05which explains the repetition of Bada Ya.
17:14It's the very groove of the song, the seamless flow of the lyrics, and White's peppy tenor
17:19that makes it such a joy to listen to, a perfect way to chase away the blues.
17:242. Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin
17:43Well, you heard the man, or in some cases that freaky singing fish hung on the wall.
17:48Fish aside, this was the first a cappella song to take the number one spot on the Billboard
17:52Hot 100 chart, and even knocked out Guns N' Roses' Sweet Child of Mine in the process.
18:05The simple mantra of Don't Worry, Be Happy was actually inspired by Mayor Baba,
18:10a spiritual master, who would repeat this message to his followers. Those uplifting
18:14four words combined with the song's soothing melody are bound to melt anyone's worries away.
18:223. Send Me On My Way, Rusted Root, an essential for any road trip playlist
18:40You Make My Dreams, Hall & Oates, a throwback to carefree summer days in the 80s.
18:45It's A Beautiful Day, Michael Bublé, it's impossible to have a bad day if this song's playing.
19:02Nine In The Afternoon, Panic! At The Disco, a feel-good tune at any time of day.
19:08Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell. There ain't no river wide enough
19:19to stop us from playing this track at every occasion. Before we continue, be sure to subscribe
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19:42go into your settings and switch on notifications. 1. Don't Stop Me Now, Queen
19:54Queen's songs can make you happy just singing along. This is partly because the lyrics always
19:58flow seamlessly with the music. Don't Stop Me Now is definitely no different. It's fast, upbeat,
20:08and with lyrics like a tiger defying the laws of gravity, this song will have you feeling
20:13indestructible. For reasons that defy logic, it didn't receive immediate success in the US
20:22and took some time to climb the charts.
20:32Nevertheless, it's a timeless track now and never fails to brighten up the room
20:36no matter the occasion. Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip
20:46from Ms. Mojo and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.