The U.N. has decreed it, and so it must be: Today is officially International Happiness Day. Which brings on the cynics, like the folks at the U.K.’s Metro.com. But think about it: Sometimes you do feel a rush of happiness that makes you want to burst into song—“Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” or “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” or “Feelin’ Groovy.” Not to mention “Chelsea Morning” and “What a Wonderful World.” What are the tunes that convey unalloyed joy to you? We exclude “Happy Days Are Here Again” from contention; this anthem to political triumph is pure cynicism.
Oh, I forgot—”Singin’ in the Rain,” of course
“What a Day for a Daydream”—it’s effervescent!
The songs “Happy Together” recorded by the Turtles, and “It’s Wonderful” by the Rascals always do it for me.