Pick-Me-Up Music

Okay. What songs or albums out there in the music world do you drop in your CD Player/MP3 Player when you're having a really crappy day? What songs/albums pick up your mood? And yes, I'm well aware of Da Vinci's Notebook's song "Enourmous Penis" is a song all about that and improving your self esteem. Something else, please.

i've mentioned this band a few times under various circumstances, but when i'm in a bad mood, putting on the neskimos can really tear it up, so to speak. www.neskimos.com sure, heavy metal may not be everyone's particular taste, especially the general mutual musical interests found on FHDC (to a point, of course), but if you like Nintendo and are having a poopyday, why not enjoy some arse-kickin' and loud nostalgia and kill some stress at the same time. nothing like flying down the street blasting contra, double dragon, or megaman2. fo' real.

Sounds great, gotta check them out.

B-52's are always good for a pick up.

A thoughtful and well articulated response. ;)

-- Pauley

I go for oldies in most situations. If you need a pick-me-up, nothing can beat something with a good tune, good lyrics, and good vocals.

Temptations' "Lean on Me" and Righteous Brothers' "Unchained melody" are the first that come to mind.

If you prefer the sadder topics for a pick-me-up, nothing beats the full 8:30 version of American Pie. Especially when you have it memorized. The final two choruses and the intro into them are so powerful.

Moxy Fruvous' Video Bargainville or Once I was the King Of Spain helps or any Springsteen song from Born to Run.

�I have a Falcon RIdge live cd from 2004 that I listen to with Vance Gilbert, Ellis Paul and others-that really helps.

John Fogerty and John Prine are both great. Fogertys CCR songs have stood the test of time and Blue Moon Swamp is a great rockin cd.

The John Prine song "Lake Marie" is a beautiful, haunting song.

Hmm I think I'm getting carried away here.

�

Pretty much any album :)

They make me jump up and down.

well, you know, I never gave a thought to fashion 'til someone said I looked like you.

Speaking of looking like you...

I did a double take of your avatar - it looks shockingly similar to the one I made for myself on the same site.� I actually thought "I don't remember putting that up!" and then realized it wasn't me.

sorry.

Well that goes without saying. The Weakerthans too: Reconstruction Site

hehe. i just whack on a fruvous live show, really loud, and bounce around and sing all the words. that usually helps. :)

Next to TMBG, Pain is my ultimate pick-me-up music. They are pop-punk with just a bit of ska thrown in. They are no longer recording or performing, unfortunately, but they have 3 great cds available on their website, www.thepainpage.com. I personally recommend the Full Speed Ahead cd for the most in your face uplifting songs I've ever heard, like "Right On" and "Upright." Great stuff!!

Hedwig always works, 5 seconds of "Tear me Down" and I'm ready to take on the world.

If i want to wallow in the depression I put on Dylan's "desolation row" nihilism gone amok.

Chris Smither does a great version of desolation row. I like Dylans music but sometimes it seems other artists cover it better than his originals.

mmm... Jeff Buckley's "Grace" is real good for that... or if I *really* wanna get goofy, I go for Donny Osmond...

but, in reality.. just about anything with bagpipes'll do it..

funny stuff is good too.. like "The Scotsman" [about the kilt and blue ribbon story]... and of course, "Enormous Penis" will do it for anyone..

"The Paddy Set" by Seven Nations is good too..

I've got lots and lots of happy music... and my friend mike is burning me more this weekend.. huzzuh!

good question.

James - Pleased to Meet You - although not all of it is pick me up.

or, James - Millionaires.

(omg huge james freak)

TMBG will do it for me, or green day. :P

I usually go for a particular song when I need a pick-me-up. It doesn't particularly matter who's performing it. Hard Times Come Again No More usually helps. The Peter Mulvey version is my favorite.

Oh! Oh! And "Shiny Happy People" by REM. That song makes me smile and giggle every time I hear it. Actually, there are several songs that do that. Allow me to list them:

"Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
"Loving You (Is Easy Cause You're Beautiful)" by Minnie Ripperton
"Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake
"Green Eggs & Ham" by Moxy Fr�vous
"Werewolves Of London" by Warren Zevon

Eh...I may think of more later.

I can't help but mention him in another thread... there's nothing that makes me forget my troubles like listening to Tom start freaking out on "All By Myself," "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy," a variety of Beatles songs... immediate giggle fit.

for some reason, the songs that make me feel better are those that are very depressing. I guess I channel my negative energy into them while I'm listening or singing along... because when they're done, I usually do feel better.

Yeah, I'm EXACTLY the same way....

If I'm bummed out.. I listen to depressing music... if I'm angry, I listen to angry-ass hardcore....

It always makes me feel better. I come out the other side happy. :)

same here - and it also applies to books - when I'm depressed I definitely prefer "deep" and tough stuff like Shakespeare and James Joyce and I could kill anybody trying to be funny and cheering me up...

Oh and I prefer Ani when I'm angry...

Me four!

Yeah.. I can't do music to change my mood.. but much rather like music to compliment the mood..

except maybe "merry-go-round."

seriously. no way to feel bad listening to "your auntie grizelda" or "papa gene's blues" or "randy scouse git" or "a little bit me, a little bit you" or...

I know someone named Griselda.

�I wouldn't recommend "how insensitive" either

My personal monkees rec?� "Changes"� Not to listen to, cos god knows it sucks. no, the joy comes from singing along in your best broadwaydavysheeponcrack voice

you can get much the same type of therapeutic cheese by singing along with "It's A Sunshine Day" by The Brady Bunch

> no way to feel bad listening
> to "your auntie grizelda" or "papa gene's blues" or "randy scouse git"

I know, I know, I am replying to this about a bazillion years after it was written but I was just surfing and happened to read this ...

Your taste in Monkees' music is nonpareil. I would absolutely say that "Papa Gene's Blues" may be one of the best pick-me-up songs (and driving songs) ever and sadly one of their most underrated ... "Your Auntie Grizelda" was always a favorite of mine as well, and "Randy Scouse Git" still pops up on my mix CDs. I thought "Headquarters" was their best album ... the other day I was listening to The Loft on XM and they actually played "Zilch" (Mr Dobbalena, Mr Bob Dobbalena) and I almost drove right off the road on the Beltway.

*runs off to find Monkees CDs to cherry pick onto iTunes*

Their album Pool It was fantastic pick me up material.� Twenty years after their heyday, and they still had the goods.� Or at least the not-bads.

I have a theory that is impossible to be depressed while listening to Ico Ico. I've told the story before in the throws of the worst depression of my life I stayed up all night cleaning my room, around 6AM I put on WFUV and they were playing it, it was Mardi Gras. The depression just ended straight away as I danced around the room.

Let It Be... if I need to wallow a bit
Come Together...if a tight groove is needed to pull me out
Ballad of John and Yoko...if I need more pep
Oh, Darlin...if I singing at the top of my lungs in the car is called for

etc etc etc

The Beatles are the answer to everything.

If I'm sad and just need mellow soothing music I put on Counting Crows-"august and everything after"

If I'm sad and I need happy music, I put on David Crowder Band, worship is always a good pick me up.

d00d!
warships!
right on!

(you sank my battleship!)

umm, huh?

Or Motown. Or "Northern Soul" (the name us Brits give to non-Motown soul of that era as it was only heavily played in clubs in the north). Alternatively seventies punk a la the Buzzcocks' Ever Fallen in Love (with someone you shouldn't have)makes me boing.

Having just recently joined Carbon Leaf's fan forums, I noticed someone posting there that they think the song "Let Your Troubles Roll By" sounds a lot like a big hug from Barry, the lead singer.

iTunes sample and purchase link

Personally, from the same album, Indian Summer, I rather like "What About Everything?" as a kind of peppy pick-me-up sorta song.

-- Pauley

I like bitter/angry music to vent to.

First choice, of course, is "Break Stuff" by Limp Bizkit.
Also good are "Minority" (Green Day), "Song for the Dumped" (Ben Folds [Five]), "Happier" (Guster), and "Push" (Matchbox 20).

There's a lot of cheerful/bouncy music I like, too, but I mostly listen to it when I'm already in a decent mood. :)

Erin McKeown is music for almost any mood. For pick-me-up, I like Slung-Lo, Blackbirds, and Cosmopolitans.

totally.

And I *love* the VotV Blackbird version...

Yum..born to hum. That's the best song...So is Lucky Day, I listen to that on a rainy day, when I have nothing much to do. Or on a snow day like today, for that matter.
Queen of Quiet is good too, now that I think some more.
Anyone have the Distillation on white vinyl? That was so great looking. But alas, I was born after record players.

I think maybe you're a bit young to be asking what kind of lover you are, though. ;D

Oh well. I still like that song...
At least I didn't say "Love in 2 Parts" Although that has some great guitar in it, and neat sort of battling drums.
You know what else is good? Vera. I like that song. Its a good closing song for Grand. Not really pick me up music....but sometimes its sort of calming.

Heh, just giving you a hard time.

But yeah, I love that song as well.

Not such a huge fan of vera.... but I love La Petite Mort... and The Little Cowboy.

:)

but I love La Petite Mort... and The Little
> Cowboy. :)
Nice...they are great. Not as much Cowboy as La Petite Mort though.
You Mustn't Kick It Around is kinda cool, for a different style like that.

I guess I can just identify... or.... something, with little cowboy.

The whole drug culture thing... which is a big part of her music... but in that one, it's all about having your friends continue on with it, while you're "left behind" .... which is kinda how you feel when you're the one to grow up and not be able to be part of that crowd anymore.

That's true. I see what you mean, and somehow I can identify in the same sort of way.

Basically, "Grand" is panoramic and spectacular :)

Basically, "Grand" is panoramic and spectacular :)

Now THAT I can agree with. :)


Cheers.

Hush Grandpa, or it's off to the nursing home with you!

I bought the Distillation on white vinyl. I just had to.

I really want that... but when I have money, it goes first to music I don't already have. :D

i always listen to "slung-lo" when something really good happens in my life.

I got a new computer and a bright future in sales, yeah yeah, YEAH YEAH!

They sing lots of songs about being drunk cause they don't like office jobs... I can identify!

.oO I got a 38 Special CD collection, some Bactine to prevent infection Oo.

Fun stuff.� If only Teri didn't hate them so much...

Dear god... how can ANYONE hate Fow? I mean, I can understand not being in love with them... but... hate?

Does. Not. Compute.

it's sort of like how I disowned this guy in my improv class from the human race because he hated dr. strangelove.

Why? I hate Dr Strangelove too? He was a Nazi evil genius. The film about him was great.

I was luke-warm about that movie..... but yeah, I didn't *hate* it.

ABSOLUTELY!!! i am in love with FOW. they can have 10 million of my babies.

They are my bitchez.

Or something.

Yeah. I'm just a hat and feet.

The Format is definatley a band to check out. www.theformat.com
or even better check out ted leo and the oharmacists to get your spirits lifted.

I would have to put in my vote for oldies, too, anything like the beachboys, or songs from the dirty dancing soundtrack are great.
Plus the music that makes me happy no matter what are the Me first and the Gimme gimmes, they do lots of fun covers.
And last but not least, Black 47 is a great band to make you laugh or just brighten your spirits.
Good times :)

i love black 47! when i'm in my studio, i always listen to "funky ceili" or "maria's wedding" for instant bursts of elation. thogh almost any song of theirs will do...

i have never seen them live, i only know of them 'cause my brother-in-law's a new yorker.

Le Tigre

Gang of Four
I Parade Myself
Damaged Goods (Return the Gift version)
What We All Want

Los Amigos Invisibles

Juanes
La Camisa Negra
La Paga

Josh Rouse
Winter in the Hamptons
It's The Night Time
My Love Has Gone

Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Mixed Up World
I Won't Change You
Party in my Head

Gloria Trevi
Agarrate
Dr. Psiquiatra

los amigos invisibles are *excellent* pick me up music.

have any of you guys ever heard of Dawud Wharnsby? He's an amazing artist, but not many know of him. Check out his site: www.wharnsby.com

if you go to the discography section there are links to samples of some of his music.