Happiest Songs of All Time

Attention!!!

In the past I have covered the most inspirational songs of all time, the most upbeat songs of all time and now I have compiled the happiest songs of all time. These are the chirpiest songs, of course ones that have entered the mainstream and become extremely popular. I believe that music must necessarily uplift one's spirits. While the genre of music you listen to may depend on the mood you are in, at the end of the day music should be able to fill that gap in your soul. The following songs are not the most favorite of some as they are considered barfingly too happy for some people's tastes. However, their beats, lyrics and melodies are extremely bubbly and high-spirited. These cheerful songs are almost always about beautiful sunny days, feeling good, being young, and living care free. Almost all the songs belong to traditional pop with some elements of alternative rock. American Authors with their Best Day of My Life tops the list as the song was clearly made about just being happy. So here are the happiest songs of all time:

1. American Authors – Best day of my life
2. Imagine Dragons – On top of the world
3. Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of sunshine
4. Michael Buble – It’s a beautiful day
5. U2 – Beautiful day
6. Katrina and the Waves – Walkin’ on sunshine
7. Colbie Calliat – Brighter than the sun
8. Johnny Nash – I can see clearly now
9. Nathan Lane & Ernie Sabella – Hakuna matata (The Lion King: Original Soundtrack)
10. Pharrell Williams – Happy
11. Elton John – Crocodile rock
12. The Chiffons – One fine day
13. Sheryl Crow – Soak up the sun
14. The Carpenters – Top of the world
15. Hanson - MMMBop
16. Kid Rock – All summer long
17. Samuel E. Wright – Under the sea (The Little Mermaid: Original Soundtrack)
18. Fleetwood Mac – Go your own way
19. Savage Garden – The animal song
20. Snoop Dogg ft. Wiz Khalifa & Bruno Mars – Young, wild and free
21. Spice Girls – Never give up on the good times
22. Counting Crows – Accidentally in love
23. S Club 7 – Bring it all back
24. The Wonders – That thing you do
25. Smash Mouth – I’m a believer (Original by The Monkees)
26. Des’Ree – Life 
27. Sheryl Crow – All I wanna do
28. John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – You’re the one that I want
29. Ace of Base – Life is a flower
30. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t worry be happy
31. Celine Dion – I’m alive
32. Rascall Flatts – Life is a highway (Original by Tom Cochrane)
33. Glee Cast – Light up the world
34. Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
35. B.J. Thomas – Raindrops keep falling on my head
36. Taylor Swift – Shake it off
37. Robert Guillaume, Liz Callaway, Gene Miller & Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Upendi (Simba’s Pride: Original Soundtrack)
38. One Direction – Live while we’re young
39. Pink – Raise your glass
40. The Corrs – So young
41. The Beatles – Here comes the sun
42. Five – Keep on movin’
43. Hilary Duff – What dreams are made of
44. Whitney Houston – I wanna dance with somebody
45. Ellie Goulding – Burn
46. Michael Franti & the Spearhead ft. Cherine Anderson – Say hey (I love you)
47. Owl City ft. Carly Rae Jepsen – Good time
48. Train – Hey soul sister
49. Black Eyed Peas – I gotta feeling
50. Bruno Mars – The lazy song

Till the next beat…

At Ease!!!

Best Cover Songs of All Time

Attention!!!

Who really owns a song? Is it the singer? the writer? Or the producer? Well, I believe that it is the singer who owns the song and there is no doubt about it. However, there are songs which have been covered by certain artists and/or groups which have proved to be more successful than even the original. These artists and/or groups better the original composition and come out with their own version or a similar version with better vocals or music. Like this there have been many instances where the original artists and/or groups have been surpassed commercially as well as critically by subsequent artistes and/or groups that covered the song. Therefore, this is a list of the best of such songs which proved to be hits even though they are cover versions. The top 10 artistes and/or groups have bettered the original songs, and it is clear that through their version they can make a claim to the songs, though it may not be ownership, the songs are more popular under the subsequent artiste and/or group.

1. Dolly Parton - Whitney Houston – I will always love you
2. Bee Gees - Boyzone – Words
3. Cat Stevens - Sheryl Crow – The first cut is the deepest
4. Jennifer Rush - Celine Dion – The power of love
5. Fleetwood Mac - The Corrs – Dreams
6. Leonard Cohen - Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah
7. Vicki Sue Robinson - Glora Estefan – Turn the beat around
8. Ritchie Valens - Los Lobos – La Bamba
9. The Jackson 5 - Mariah Carey – I’ll be there
10. Neil Diamond - UB40 – Red red wine
11. Toni Braxton - Il Divo – Unbreak my heart/Regresa a mi
12. Bob Dylan - Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ on heaven’s door
13. Journey - Glee Cast – Don't stop believin'
14. Lee Hazelwood ft. Nancy Sinatra - Ville Valo ft. Natalia Avelon – Summer wine
15. Phil Collins - Mariah Carey ft. Westlife – Against all odds
16. Labelle - Pink, Christina Aguilera, Mya & Lil Kim – Lady Marmalade
17. Roberta Flack - The Fugees – Killing me softly
18. Ednaswap - Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
19. Kingston Trio - Westlife – Seasons in the sun
20. Tarkan - Holly Valance – Simarik/Kiss Kiss
21. Frank Sinatra ft. Nancy Sinatra - Robbie Williams ft. Nicole Kidman – Something stupid
22. Talk Talk - No Doubt – It’s my life
23. Phil Collins - Brandy – Another day in paradise
24. The Bangles - Human Nature – Eternal flame
25. Celine Dion – Meatloaf ft. Marion Raven – It’s all coming back to me now
26. Tears for Fears - Adam Lambert – Mad world
27. Creedance Clearwater Revival - Rod Stewart – Have you ever seen the rain
28. The Drifters - Michael Buble – Save the last dance for me
29. Queen - Brittany Murphy – Somebody to love
30. Righteous Brothers - Gareth Gates – Unchained melody
31. Damien Rice - Little Mix – Cannonball
32. Ryan Adams - The Corrs ft. Bono – When the stars go blue
33. The Calling - Charlene Sorai – Wherever you will go
34. Eternal - Monica – Angel of mine
35. Billy Joel - Westlife – Uptown girl
36. Traci Chapman - Boyzone – Baby, can I hold you
37. Sarah Brightman ft. Antonio Banderas - Nightwish – Phantom of the opera
38. Bee Gees - Steps – Tragedy
39. Savage Garden - Cascada – Truly madly deeply
40. Hot Chocolate - Clocks – You sexy thing
41. Bryan Adams - DJ Sammy – Heaven
42. Elvis Presley - A*Teens – Can’t help falling in love
43. USA for Africa - Artists for Haiti – We are the world
44. Crowded House - Six Pence None the Richer – Don’t dream its over
45. Dean Martin – Pussycat Dolls – Sway
46. Foreigner - Mariah Carey – I wanna know what love is
47. Bananarama - Ace of Base – Cruel summer
48. 3^rd Party - Jennifer Lopez – Waiting for tonight
49. ABBA - Westlife – I have a dream
50. John Denver - Olivia Newton John – Take me home country roads
51. Blondie - Atomic Kitten – Tide is high
52. Joni Mitchell - Counting Crows ft. Vanessa Carlton – Big yellow taxi
53. Don Mclean - Madonna – American Pie
54. Gloria Jones - Soft Cell – Tainted love
55. The Left Banke - Vonda Shepard – Walk away Renee
56. Miley Cyrus - Joe McElderry – The climb
57. Madonna - We are the fallen – Like a prayer
58. ABBA - A*Teens – Mamma mia
59. Ben E. King - 4 the Cause – Stand by me
60. The Pretenders - Gina Glockson – I’ll stand by you
61. Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey - Leon Jackson – When you believe
62. The Beatles - Ferry Aid – Let it be
63. A.R. Rahman - Pussycat Dolls – Jai ho
64. Madonna - Kelly Osbourne – Papa don’t preach
65. Shontelle - James Arthur – Impossible
66. The Walkers - Vengaboys – Shalala la
67. Daughtry - Westlife – What about now
68. Redbone - Real McCoy – Come and get your love
69. R.E.M. - Helping Haiti – Everybody hurts
70. U2 - Lee Dewzye – Beautiful day
71. Weather Girls - Geri Halliwell – It’s raining men
72. Jim Henson - Dixie Chicks – Rainbow connection
73. Steve Miller Band – R.I.O. – Serenade
74. Westlife - Will Young – Evergreen
75. Rascal Flatts - Cascada – What hurts the most
76. Fleetwood Mac - Lissie – Go your own way
77. Westlife - Ruben Studdard – Flying without wings
78. Linkin Park - Lori Lee – Numb
79. Metallica - Lissie – Nothing else matters
80. Robert Knight - Cast of Casualty – Everlasting love
81. Journey - Mariah Carey – Open Arms
82. The Moody Blues - Il Divo – Nights in white satin
83. Heidi Montag - Lady Gaga – Fashion
84. Ke$ha - Girls’ Generation – Run devil run
85. Jonathan King - Vonda Shepard – Hooked on a feeling
86. Duran Duran - Aurora – Ordinary world
87. K’Naan - Young Artists for Haiti – Wavin’ flag
88. Heart - Celine Dion – Alone
89. Steve Miller Band - Sugar Ray – Abracadabra
90. Duffy - OneRepublic – Mercy
91. Exile - No Mercy – Kiss you all over
92. Lolly - B*Witched – Mickey
93. Guns N’ Roses - Sheryl Crow – Sweet child of mine
94. Bon Jovi - Blake Lewis – You give love a bad name
95. Madonna - Hilary Duff & Haylie Duff – Material girls  
96. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Anne Hathaway & Jesse McCartney – Don’t go breaking my heart
97. Gypsy Kings - Vitamin C – Volare
98. Belinda Carlisle - Otherview – La luna
99. Christina Aguilera - Speedway – Genie in a bottle
100. Donna Summer  - Pussycat Dolls – Hot stuff

Till the next ensemble…

At Ease!!!

Best of Modern Rock

Attention!!!

Rock could be soft, alternative or hard as well as pop, punk and metal. After the golden era of rock music, which witnessed the likes of Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Survivor and Black Sabbath the genre began to fade with the advent of pop into mainstream. With the demise of Disco in the late 80s we see Pop and Eurodance taking over in the 90s. There was however a resurfacing of rock music as well. Alternative Rock joined the mainstream with bands such as Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2 gaining popularity. Therefore, I have listed the bands/artistes, which have contributed significantly for the revival and development of rock music in the recent past.

1.      U2

Formed in 1976 the group initially was rooted in post-punk but eventually entered mainstream rock music. By the mid 1980s they became a top global act with their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. They are among the all time best-selling music bands having sold more than 150 million records and winning 22 Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone ranked they at 22 in its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and labeled them the Biggest Band in the World. Their successful albums include – Rattle and Hum, Achtung Baby, Pop, All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.   Desire

                ii.     Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me

              iii.     Vertigo

              iv.     Beautiful Day

                v.     With or Without You

              vi.     The Fly

             vii.    Staring at the Sun

           viii.    One

              ix.     I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

                x.     Mysterious ways

2.      Nickelback

Formed in 1995 it is one of the most successful bands of all time, ranked as the 11^th best-selling music act and the top rock group of the 2000s decade by Billboard. The band achieved commercial success with the release of their 2000 album The State and went mainstream with their 2001 album Silver Side Up. Their success continued with albums such as – The Long Road, All the Right Reasons, Dark Horse and Here and Now. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    How you remind me

                ii.   Someday

              iii.   Photograph

              iv.   Rockstar

                v.   Gotta be Somebody

              vi.   Far Away

             vii.  If today was your last day

           viii.  When we stand together

              ix.   Savin’ me

                x.   This afternoon

3.      Red Hot Chili Peppers

Formed in 1983 the band’s style primarily focuses on funk, punk rock and psychedelic rock. They have won been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and of which they have won 7 and sold over 90 million records worldwide. The first three albums did not receive much attention but this changed with the fourth, Mother’s Milk and then with Blood Sugar Sex Magik the band entered the mainstream. Their albums – Californication, By The Way and Stadium Arcadium were major commercial successes and received wide critical acclaim. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    Dani California

                ii.   By the way

              iii.   Under the Bridge

              iv.   Scar Tissue

                v.   Snow (Hey Oh)

              vi.   Can’t stop

             vii.   Love Rollercoaster

           viii.   Californication

              ix.    Give it away

                x.    The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie

4.      Bon Jovi

Formed in 1983 the band achieved widespread global recognition with their third album Slippery When Wet in 1986. The band has been consistent with its major hits. They are one of the best-selling bands of all time having sold more than 130 million records worldwide. Their other successful albums include – New Jersey, Keep the Faith, Cross Road and Crush. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     Always

                ii.    Livin’ on a prayer

              iii.    It’s my life

              iv.    You give love a bad name

                v.   I’ll be there for you

              vi.    Bad medicine

             vii.   This ain’t a love song

           viii.    Have a nice day

              ix.     Bed of roses

                x.     Everyday

5.      Linkin Park

Formed in 1996 the band rose to international fame with their debut album Hybrid Theory. Their style incorporates elements of nu metal and rap metal and from recent times electronic sounds and beats to cater to the mainstream trends. They have sold over 60 million albums worldwide and have won 2 Grammy Awards. Their other successful albums include – Meteora, Collision Course, Minutes to Midnight and Living Things. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    In the end

                ii.   What I’ve done

              iii.   New Divide

              iv.   Numb

                v.   Burn it down

              vi.   Somewhere I belong

             vii.   Bleed it out

           viii.   Shadow of the day

              ix.    The Catalyst

                x.    Crawling

6.      Santana

Formed in the late 1960s it is based around the compositions of lead guitarist Carlos Santana. Although the band’s initial success was back in the 70s the peak of their success was in the late 90s and early 2000s. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have earned 10 Grammy Awards. In 1999 the group released Supernatural which is one of the most successful albums by any artiste/band of all time. Other new successful albums include – Shaman and All That I Am. Their 8 best songs in the modern era in descending order are:

                 i.     Smooth (ft. Rob Thomas)

                ii.    Maria Maria (ft. The Product G&B)

              iii.    The Game of Love (ft. Michelle Branch)

              iv.    Cry Baby Cry (ft. Sean Paul & Joss Stone)

                v.    Into the Night (ft. Chad Kroeger)

              vi.   Just Feel Better (ft. Steven Tyler)

             vii.   Why don’t you and I (ft. Alex Band)

           viii.   Put your lights on (ft. Everlast)

7.      Sheryl Crow

Born in 1962 she attempted to launch her career in the late 80s but to no avail. Her breakthrough came with her debut album Tuesday Night Music Club in 1994. Her music incorporates elements of folk, hip-hop, country and pop. She has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and has garnered 9 Grammy Awards out of 32 nominations. Other successful albums include – Sheryl Crow, Globe Sessions and C’mon C’mon. Her 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     All I wanna do

                ii.    Soak up the sun

              iii.    The first cut is the deepest

              iv.    My favourite mistake

                v.    If it makes you happy

              vi.    Everyday is a winding road

             vii.   Tomorrow never dies

           viii.    Strong enough

              ix.     Good is good

                x.     Love is free

8.      Green Day

Formed in 1987 the band incorporates mainly elements of punk rock. Their debut album Dookie was a breakout success in 1994. Although the follow up albums were not as successful the band reignited their popularity with their 2004 album American Idiot. They are one of the best-selling groups of all time with over 75 million albums sold and have won 5 Grammy Awards. Their successful albums include – Nimrod and 21^st Century Breakdown. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     Boulevard of broken dreams

                ii.    American idiot

              iii.    Wake me up when September ends

              iv.    Holiday

                v.    21 Guns

              vi.    Know your enemy

             vii.  Good riddance (Time of your life)

           viii.   Basket case

              ix.    Longview

                x.    Welcome to paradise

9.      Metallica

Formed in 1981 the band caters mainly to heavy metal and hard rock. With its mass following in the underground music community the band earned critical acclaim with its first few albums. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and has won 9 Grammy Awards and as of 2012 it is the fourth best selling music artiste/band of all time. Their successful albums include - …And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, Reload and Garage Inc. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    Until it sleeps

                ii.   Nothing else matters

              iii.   Enter sandman

              iv.   One

                v.   The Unforgiven

              vi.   The day that never comes

             vii.   St.Anger

           viii.  The memory remains

              ix.    Hero of the day

                x.    Frantic

10.  Evanescence

Formed in 1995 the band’s debut album Fallen was a monumental commercial success. The line up of the group changed several times but the lead vocalist Amy Lee remained. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has earned 2 Grammy Awards out of 7 nominations. The band is heavily influenced by celtic metal, alternative rock and hard rock. Other successful albums include – The Open Door and Evanescence. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     Bring me to life

                ii.    Call me when you’re sober

              iii.    My immortal

              iv.    Going under

                v.    Lithium

              vi.   What you want

             vii.   Everybody’s fool

           viii.   Lost in paradise

              ix.   Sweet sacrifice

                x.   My heart is broken