Thanks to the newly-released MTVMusic.com, we now have easy access to just about every music video ever made. It doesn’t completely replace other online sources for music, because many songs don’t have videos. Still, people are cheering for this long overdue shrine to classic MTV.
To celebrate its arrival and also provide some motivation during the financial crisis, I came up with this list of the 10 most uplifting songs of all time.
This was really hard because there are just so many songs out there, and many worthy contenders had to be left out. But I gave it a shot, making up 10 separate categories to ensure some diversity. The list is heavy on British groups and almost entirely 70s/80s songs, but that wasn’t by design.
Without further ado, here are 10 songs that are great for lifting your spirits.
Best power ballad:
Somebody to Love, Queen (1976)
A year after Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen once again demonstrated their abilities with a complex melody, intricate harmonies, many high notes, and deeply layered voice tracks. Freddy Mercury searches his soul and begs God to find him somebody to love. The lyrics by themselves are extremely depressing, and yet somehow you know that everything is going to be OK.
“I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just can’t get no relief, Lord
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?”
Best doo-wop song:
The Longest Time, Billy Joel (1984)
Although doo-wop faded from popularity in the early 1960s, Billy Joel had a hit with “The Longest Time” in 1984. Because the only instrument used is a bass guitar, the song became a staple among a capella groups. However, Billy Joel did all the voices himself, by recording 14 different background tracks that were mixed in.
“I don’t care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time”
Best disco funk song:
Thriller, Michael Jackson (1984)
With creepy lyrics from Rod Temperton, a chilling monologue by Vincent Price, and a signature performance by then-black Michael Jackson, “Thriller” became the biggest-selling album of all time. The 14 minute video was more like a mini-movie, costing a record $500,000 and being listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the most successful music video. Ironically, Michael Jackson as a werecat or a zombie isn’t half as scary as what he eventually became in real life.
“It’s close to midnight and something evil’s lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes
You’re paralyzed
‘Cause this is thriller, thriller night”
Best rap song:
Amish Paradise, Weird Al Yankovic (1996)
Weird Al really nailed it with this parody of Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise, teaching us what being Amish is all about. Because of a miscommunication, Weird Al was told that Coolio had given permission for the parody in advance, but Coolio later denied that and said he didn’t appreciate his song being desecrated. While that issue has long been behind them, I have to wonder what the Amish think of this song.
“We been spending most our lives living in an Amish paradise
We’re all crazy Mennonites living in an Amish paradise
There’s no cops or traffic lights living in an Amish paradise
But you’d probably think it bites living in an Amish paradise”
Best alternative song:
Birdhouse In Your Soul, They Might Be Giants (1989)
Back in the days when Istanbul was still Constantinople, TMBG filibustered vigilantly about a guardian angel nightlight. While many people questioned their sanity, this remains by far the world’s most popular nightlight song.
“Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul”
Best supergroup song:
We Are the World, USA for Africa, 1985
To raise money for the 1984-1985 famine in Ethiopia, 45 popular singers recorded this charity single as the supergroup United Support of Artists for Africa. This included Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Hall & Oates, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, The Pointer Sisters, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Dionne Warwick. “We Are the World” reached #1 in 14 countries.
“We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making, we’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me”
Best instrumental song:
Gonna Fly Now, Bill Conti (1976)
Not strictly an instrumental, but close enough with only 30 words, “Gonna Fly Now” was used as the theme song in Rocky. It reached #1 on the charts and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
“Trying hard now, it’s so hard now, trying hard now
Getting strong now, won’t be long now, getting strong now
Gonna fly now, flying high now, gonna fly, fly, fly”
Best progressive rock song:
Blinded By the Light, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1976)
After Bruce Springsteen failed to even make the charts with this song, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band redid it and took it to #1. While the original was very folky and acoustic, the remake is very heavy on synthesizers and Chris Thompson’s New Zealand accent. (And no, he’s saying “deuce”).
“And go-cart Mozart was checkin’ out the weather chart
To see if it was safe outside
And little Early-Pearly came by in his curly-wurly
And asked me if I needed a ride
Asked me if I needed a ride
But she was blinded by the light,
Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night”
Best transvestite song:
Lola, The Kinks (1970)
Even a bad case of mistaken identity couldn’t stand in the way of happiness in this song, based on two true stories in the band’s history. Surprisingly, its biggest controversy turned out not to be its reference to a drag queen, but its reference to Coca-Cola. The BBC banned “Lola” for mentioning a brand name, forcing the band to fly from New York to London to re-record it as “cherry cola.” The U.S. gets the uncensored version.
“Well that’s the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way
For my Lola, Lo-Lo-Lo-Lo Lola
Girls will be boys and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world
Except for Lola, Lo-Lo-Lo-Lo Lola”
Best Beatles song:
Let It Be, The Beatles (1970)
If any group deserves their own category, it’s the Beatles. Paul McCartney based this song on a dream he had about his deceased mother (Mary), who told him, “It will be alright, just let it be.” This was the last single the Beatles released, and it went to #1 in five countries.
“When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be”
Like I said, the astronomical number of songs in the world meant that many great ones had to be left out, plus this list is obviously influenced by my own opinions. What songs would you add?
Some great songs in there! I do have to question, though, your inclusion of Weird Al Yankovic for best rap song. Who exactly does his song uplift? There was no uplifting song you could find among the black rappers?
Dot´s last blog post..Veterans Day 2008
@ Dot, well, it’s not like I actually listen to rap, so there’s a lot I haven’t heard. But Amish Paradise is based on a song by Coolio, a black rapper, only it’s celebrating Amish life instead of lamenting street life, so which is more uplifting?
Hey Hunter,
I Love your list and have 2 rap songs for you! Ice Cube’s “Until We Rich” while some lyrics are questionable I love the following:
“To all the little homies that’s watchin TV
I see you tryin to be a O.G. like me
Chasin dreams, pullin mo’ schemes for wealth
But the best thing in life is health, be yourself playa
Television it’ll keep yo’ ass wishin forever
You’ll never get you life together
….
To the kids of the world that’s waitin for wealth
Waitin for health, you better do for self
Homey that’s yo’ last cup
Forget about the fast buck; boy, get you ass up
People use yo’ brain to gain”…..
Also LL Cool J’s tribute to his grandmother is about the sweetest song I have ever heard “Big Mama” but I don’t know if there is a video for that one.
Thanks for the head’s up on the MTV site — uh oh I see time…slipppping away…
My dad and I used to sit and watch videos for hours while playing board games….. as a mom I definitely don’t watch ANY tv including MTV that much but love seeing the oldies and Ray and I will get glued to the couch when a “top 100 rock videos” special or something similar comes on… We do watch videos on You Tube sometimes and you have my daughter’s favorite — Thriller – ever seen a 5 year old do the thriller dance? It’s pretty cute! 
We’re also big Weird Al fans… “EAt It” gets played a lot by my daughter as well….
Thanks Hunter – another fun and excellent post!
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Mannion´s last blog post..The “Paging Me System” — A Method to Heal Pain Naturally
Hi Hunter. Let It Be, and Blinded By The Light – great choices! I would add “I Get Knocked Down” by Chumbawamba. Here are some of the lyrics. It’s an upbeat song. I wouldn’t give it the label of uplifting but it sure puts a spring in my step. Here are some of the lyrics.
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You’re never going to keep me down
We’ll be singing
When we’re winning
We’ll be singing
Davina´s last blog post..Akemi Gaines On Intuition, Dreams And Spiritual Guidance–Interview Part 2
“(And no, he’s saying “deuce”).”
I laughed out loud when I read this!
I agree with many of the songs on here: I remember grooving out ta Gangsta/Amish Paradise when I was a kid, and I still do the Thriller dance with my buddies (after a couple beers).
After the crap day I’ve had, this post is amazing–Thanks, Hunter!
One of the songs that I used to go dance in was “Forever Young”. Love the song…makes me feel as if I could freeze time and be the same girl I was back then.
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..The Lipstick Indicator To Great Wealth
I am not good at this popular music thing, but I do love the Dixie Chicks Not Ready to Make Nice. It is very uplifting to me. Oh how does anyone pick there is so much good music in the world….but I appreciate your good list and always terrific comments
Thank you.
Patricia´s last blog post..Something Smells
@ Jenny, I’ll check out those videos tomorrow. Sorry to provide a time distraction. If you can watch 100 videos in a row when a special comes on, I wonder how many videos you’ll watch now that you have them all at your fingertips! Let me know if you ever make a video of your daughter doing the Thriller dance!
@ Davina, I remember that one…upbeat for sure, though I always found it kind of funny. And today it always reminds me of when Homer Simpson sang it.
@ RL, maybe you can do the Thriller dance with Jenny’s daughter! And then post a video? Please?
@ Evelyn, “Forever Young,” that’s with Mel Gibson, right? Do you know what the song is called?
@ Patricia, I guess I’ll check that out, even if it’s the Dixie Chicks.
Now I have to check out your post to find out what smells.
I love all these songs! I sang everyone of them aloud as I was reading
Way to start the day off right! I’ll add “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” by Annie Lennox… one of the most uplifting songs of all time! A song originally from the ’60s I believe, and it still is teaching us. Lyrics snippet:
Think of your fellow man
Lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart
Another day goes by
And still the children cry
Put a little love in you heart
If you want the world to know
We won’t let hatred grow
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
You just wait and see
I’ll also add one more. “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt. Now, I’m not a huge country fan, but this song literally plasters a smile on your face everytime… no matter what. Chorus:
And it’s a great day to be alive
I know the sun’s still shinin when I close my eyes
There’s some hard times in the neigborhood
But why can’t every day be just this good?
Jenny’s suggestions sound great! My favorite uplifting song is John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
Dot´s last blog post..Veterans Day 2008
@ Caroline, I know that first one somehow…maybe they used it in a commercial? I’ll check out the second one too.
@ Dot, I really like that one too. However, it’s always bothered me that it’s “no religion too” instead of “no religion either.” I know, that’s a little picky, and it wouldn’t rhyme, but it’s hard for me to ignore it! I’m also curious why he says it’s not hard to imagine no countries, but he wonders if we can imagine no possessions. I find it easier to imagine no possessions than no countries. But anyway, great song and great message.
most uplifting? it clearly says “best rap song”
OK Hunter, here ya go:
Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Corny, I know but still a fav.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – By that big ol’ Hawaiin guy
That’s What Living Is To Me – Jimmy Buffett
I Hope You Had The Time Of Your Life – I think that’s the title – Final Seinfeld Episode
In The Living Years – Mike and the Mechanics
Hears it in a Love Song – The Marshall Tucker Band
Just suggestions – Thanks for a great list!
Cheers
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..Query me this, Batman Part 2
@ Jen, for all these categories, I meant “best” in the sense of most uplifting.
@ Tumblemoose, Time Of Your Life came close to making the list. It’s by Green Day and yes, it was a great choice for the final Seinfeld episode.
Thriller and Amish paradise I agree with!
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Somebody to love is great too, but put them on a top ten list…
i like “Just stand up” by various artist, it’s for cancer patients
thank you one and all – i was looking for uplifting songs – have a new playlist. but my recent fav is “bad day” by daniel powter. just the sound of it makes me smile regardless!!
Sorry but none of these songs have anything to with being uplifted.
For example, Thriller is a great song, but it has nothing to do with empowering yourself. Man In the Mirror would have been better. This entire list has nothing to do with positive messages or uplifting things.
@ CJ, do you think that a song can’t be uplifting if it doesn’t explicitly tell you to be uplifted? Anyway, several of these songs are in fact about positive messages. Thriller is not one of them, but I still find it infinitely more uplifting than Man in the Mirror. Of course, YMMV.
I’m a British Dr. of Literature, and I can attest that in UK English (not US English) ‘No religion too’ is perfectly grammatically correct. He means ‘no religion as well’, hence the double ‘o’ in too. If he said ‘no religion either’ the ambiguity would be in whether it was either/or ‘nothing to kill or die for’ rather than both nothing to kill or die for AND no religion.
@ H.P., thanks for the UK grammar tip – appreciate it!
The most uplifting Beatles song: I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
I LOATHE John Lennon’s “Imagine”. His ideal world is a communist utopia: no religion, no possessions, no countries, no heaven, no hell, no God, nothing to kill or die for. I would rather die than live in such a world.
How can anybody not know “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart??? Do you have a radio???
One of my favorites: “Back in the High Life Again” by Steve Winwood. “I could not ask for more” by Edwin McCain. “I hope you dance” by Lee Ann Womack.
Sometimes just what the doctor ordered is to listen to a REALLY sad song. As Sir Elton said, it just feels so good to hurt so bad.
If I think of any others, I’ll add them later?
@ Ravi, I guess everyone will have their opinions.
I think Joe Cocker’s version was far better than the Beatles’. And while I don’t like Imagine as much as everyone else does, I do like it, and I don’t see it as a communist utopia, but a secular humanist utopia. Sorry, haven’t heard of Forever Young. Feel free to add others later, if you like.
Hunter: Thanks for that. I respectfully disagree about “Imagine;” I think the lyric, “imagine no possessions” make it a communist song, along with all the other ideals associated with communism, even if John was never a self-professed communist.
I like Joe Cocker’s version of “With a Little Help From My Friends” a lot too, but the Beatles recorded the original. I first heard the song as the theme song to the TV show “The Wonder Years,” which was an awesome show (at least for the first 2 or 3 seasons). The main characters were the same age as I was and that was cool.
Here is a link to the video from “Forever Young,” by Rod Stewart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHzMCFgTid0
I once saw a mom recite all the lyrics of the song to her daughter at her Bat Mitzvah; it was really nice.
You’ve probably heard the song many times and just forgot.
Lenny kravitz song dig in is uplifting. Once you dig in your gonna have yourself a good time.