Escapay wrote:The Carpenters' "Rainy Days and Mondays" is positively dreary
I feel positively dreary whenever I hear anything by The Carpenters. I believe John Carpenter actually used a clip from one of their songs in In the Mouth of Madness during the scene of the guy in the strait-jacket at the asylum.
Escapay wrote:Using the two examples from this thread, I "feel good" when I hear "American Pie" because it's like a bittersweet remembrance of an era passed, so I feel good thinking about such a time.
A lot of people feel that way. I decided not to even mention it before because if I never hear that song again, I'll be better for it.
David S. wrote:Lazario wrote:
Love that song, absolutely one of my all-time favorites. However, I have to pull a Goliath and say- it's about as legitimately happy as getting punched in the teeth. By like Mr. T, you know.
Well yes, I know the lyrics aren't meant to be happy. This was one I had in mind when I said I was going more based on the feel of the music for me in many cases.
Having said that, where Dusty comes in at the end with the "We don't have to fall apart/we don't have to fight" bit, (up until the fade out) the overall lyrical feel of the song does seem to end on a more "up" note.
I love the musical feel of this song so much that I had to list it. It immediately makes me want to get up and dance around the room. And I have fond memories of doing so in many a club in the mid/late 80's! (and more recently in some retro clubs). So that's probably what makes me think of it as "upbeat"/"feel good." One of my fave tracks by one of my all-time favorite groups.
I'm an 80's fan in general but the Pet Shop Boys' songs really stand out. Especially the big 3, "...Deserve This," "Opportunities...," and "West End Girls." I adore all of them and scratch my head whenever I hear people singing "Opportunities" like they can't feel the seriously oppressive tone to the whole thing. It's almost like a mad-scientist type thing. Something dark is cooking, so I didn't know that song could bring out peoples' mischevious sides so well. Then, the director of Donnie Darko staged that big musical number to "West End Girls" with the audience smiling and clapping and moving wildly to one of the rainiest, most hypnotic songs I've ever heard. It's not really a party track- so... that this band / outfit seems to have this effect on anyone, I don't know why. But I've always loved the hilarious "job" focus on every single song that Pet Shop did in the mid-80's. Why does he always need a job? He only uses people to get a job.
I think the most upbeat song from the 80's I remember them doing was "Always on My Mind."
David S. wrote:Lazario wrote:
I especially recommend "Car Wash" by Rose Royce, Kool and the Gang's "Ladies' Night," "More More More" by Andrea True Connection, and Parliament's "Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)."
I've heard (and like) all but the last one, which I haven't heard yet. Thanks for the tip, I'll have to check it out.
I remember it always being an excellent stress reliever. It's a little laidback but still incredibly active. It's almost not-there while it plays. But after it's over, you sorta want to listen to it again. Been my experience.
David S. wrote:Other groups/tracks I remember liking from that genre/era include "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by A Taste Of Honey, several tracks by Chic, and "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston, which - again, is not "upbeat" lyrically but I love the music; the exuberant feel of the chorus.
Ha. The only thing I would step-in to say about feel-good disco songs is, Donna Summer really for me usually goes south. And that's why I like her so much. I like downbeat songs, always have. I couldn't find "McArthur Park" upbeat in any case and because of its' unfortunate history as one of the most played "Elevator" songs ever, when transfered into "muzak" form. For every "Hot Stuff" or "Bad Girls" which are upbeat, she has 3 "I Feel Love"s or "Sunset People"s which are not upbeat but maybe not exactly downbeat because they're not necessarily cynical. Perhaps more introspective. Which is still used to wind down instead of up.
How sad you must be without it at Christmastime. 
