A Fine Frenzy...and more

I went to see the very talented Alison Sudol and "A Fine Frenzy" in Virginia on Easter Sunday. This was my second opportunity to see her live. Same concert--two completely different experiences.

The first time around, she was the warm-up act for another very talented singer/songwriter, Brandi Carlile. Additionally, she performed without her full crew--I believe the drummer/guitarist/misc. was sick. The result was a nice low key experience.

This time, she came with not only a full crew, but a more enhanced sound. I think it is safe to say she rocked it out. While maintaining the integrity of her beautiful voice and heartfelt lyrics, she amp'd-up her sound and it was a pleasant surprise. Those in attendance were also lucky enough to hear her tackle a few classic covers (recommended by fans on her web site) and she closed the concert with a sneak peek of the first song on her next upcoming CD. A delightful evening overall.

However, upon leaving, it was brought to my attention that her lyrics hit home in many ways. In my personal experience, the impetus for a majority of popular song lyrics is emotional struggle, sadness, loss, discontent, or pain, and yet very few are born out of happiness. Seems strange to me considering the fact that singing used to be a way of celebrating or rejoicing. Although, the more I think about it, in church people sing songs of rejoice, but what are they rejoicing exactly? Christ's sacrifice for us? That's a depressing thought. His resurrection from the dead? SAD--he was murdered! His unconditional love and forgiveness? SAD--it acknowledges that we are all horrible people that go astray from the righteous lives that we know to be more honorable.

Song lyrics are motivated by life experiences. But...we can't all be so miserable, can we? So much so that all we can sing about and the music that we relate to always has negative connotations?

I realize it just so happens that nothing brings out emotion and passion like misery, but c'mon! Let's cheer up the airwaves a little! Maybe sing more campfire songs??? --Those were happy ...

This leads me to ask a QUESTION about modern music: Without life struggles and pain, would we have music?

So, I TASK you with the following: Name 10 modern songs which were written about complete happiness and satisfaction....I fear it may be more difficult than you think....

Bellcanto said...
1) Bubbly - Colbie Collet
2) Forever and For Always - Shania Twain
3) Dancing on the ceiling - Lionel Richie
4) What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
5) I Love The Way You Love Me - John Michael Montgomery
6) Forever Young - Alphaville
7) Respect - Aretha Franklin
8) Good Day Sunshine - Beatles
9) Heaven Is A Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
10) She loves you - Beatles
11) It´s a wonderful life - Black
12) Sun is shining - Bob Marley
13) Don't worry Be happy - Bobby McFerrin
14) Right on track - Breakfast Club
15) Top of the world - Carpenters
16) Wonderful Days - Charly Lownoise & Menthal Theo
17) Groove is in the heart - Dee lite
18) Happy Faces - Destiny's Child
19) I feel love - Donna Summer
20) Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
21) What a feeling - Flashdance
22) Singin' in the rain - Gene Kelly
23) Some Kind Of Wonderful - Grand Funk Railroad
24) Happy to be stuck with you - Huey Lewis

This is just a short list of happy, positive songs out there on the air waves. But if this list of melodic exultations isn’t enough to convince you of the happy nature of songs that are ready to play into your ears, please direct yourself to the following websites that each list (upon the hundreds) happy joyful tunes that will brighten your day and put a smile on your face: http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/Happy-Songs.html
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/669052.html
http://www.reinventingmyself.com/groovysongs.html
http://www.vandegraaf.net/happy-songs-tips-a-b.asp
http://www.poemhunter.com/songs/happy/
http://shirleymclaine.typepad.com/livingoutloud/2007/06/songs_that_make.html

And so, with “a song in my heart,” I’ll leave you with this thought: I think there is much positivism out there in the world and in music. It just has to be sought out a little more than the sad or melancholy offerings. Let’s face it, our culture feeds on sadness and destructive stories (think about how the media makes its business). So don’t be surprised if that’s what the music industry caters to as well! Sure, people connect with what they can relate to, but that doesn’t mean that we have to be sucked into unhappy mindsets all the time. Real life offers enough sorrow, so let’s seek out the good and capitalize on all the good events (and music) that life brings along!

D-Llama says:
Touché Ms. Bellcanto, Touché!!
However, the task was to list 10 "modern" songs. Your list consists of mostly tunes from the 80's...

Bellcanto said...
These are modern songs, sir...when you consider the centuries of exultant music that have been produced, those which were cut in the last two decades are as recent as you can get. If you believe that I'm being difficult, then check with the websites I listed and you will find many modern ballads of the last couple years. There was simply too much happy repertoire for me to sift through in one sitting! ;)

D-Llama says:
I'm sorry, but the last 20+ years of music doesn't quite rate as "modern" in my book, and certainly Gene Kelly, the Beatles, or Bob Marley don't qualify either...