#HappyMusicVolumeTwo

This second #HappyMusic selection, gathering 15 songs I picked for Griff's music challenge on BlueSky, ending today. If you missed yesterday's post, songs were eligible if they:

-- make you happy

-- include the word "happy"

-- contain any variation of "happy" in the title, lyrics or band name

-- feature a synonym of "happy"

-- remind you of happiness

As with yesterday's selection, today's featured songs - with the exception of the closer - are not in the order that I posted them, as I was making it up as I went along. I'm pretty happy with how the two mixtapes worked out.

Today's selection gets off to a cracking start with The Icicle Works (my pick on 10th August),  and embracing The Doors, Scritti Politti, The Raveonettes, The Undertones, Madness, Confidence Man, U-Roy, Donovan and a fab cover version by The Siddeleys.

Pussycat by Mulu provided the inspiration for the album artwork for the two volumes, whilst the super final song by Al MacKenzie - one half of D:Ream - has the perfect lyrical sentiment:

"You only get one chance at life, try not to fuck it up"

I can certainly get with that.

September beckons tomorrow. What challenge will the month bring?

1) All The Daughters (Of Her Father's House) (Long Version): The Icicle Works (1985)

2) That Great Love Sound (Album Version): The Raveonettes (2003)

3) Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) (Cover of Edison Lighthouse): The Siddeleys (1990)

4) It's Going To Happen! (Album Version): The Undertones (1981)

5) Jump For Joy: U-Roy (1976)

6) Mellow Yellow: Donovan (1967)

7) Francisca (Album Version): Espiritu (1992)

8) Up, Up And Away (Happy Sexy Mix By Danny Rampling): The Beloved (1990)

9) Pussycat (François Kevorkian Mix Edit): Mulu (1997)

10) Touch Me (Album Version): The Doors (1969)

11) Wings Of A Dove (Single Version): Madness (1983)

12) Holiday (Album Version): Confidence Man (2021)

13) Boom! There She Was (Album Version): Scritti Politti ft. Roger Troutman (1988)

14) The Crunch (Part 1) (Album Version): RAH Band (1977)

15) Life Is Short, Live It Well (Vocal Mix): Al MacKenzie (2026)

1967: Mellow Yellow: 6

1969: The Soft Parade: 10

1978: The Crunch & Beyond: 14

1981: Positive Touch: 4

1983: Wings Of A Dove EP: 11

1985: All The Daughters (Of Her Father's House) EP: 1

1988: Provision: 13

1990: Alvin Lives (In Leeds): Anti Poll Tax Trax: 3

1990: Blissed Out: 8

1995: Always...: 7

1997: Pussycat EP: 9

2003: Chain Gang Of Love: 2

2005: U-Roy Meets King Tubbys: 5

2021: Tilt: 12

2026: Evil Acid Barons: 15

#HappyMusicVolumeOne (1:03:23) (GD) (M)

Wednesday Songs

Yep, you guessed it: 11 songs with Wednesday in the title. This selection includes much loved songs by The Undertones, Elvis Costello & The Attractions and The Woodentops, an instrumental from Pete Shelley & Howard Devoto (was it really nearly 20 years ago?!) and a song from The Psychedelic Furs' spectacular comeback album last year.

 

A tip of the hat to Flimflamfan and Strangeways for introducing me to The Hardy Boys and The Siddeleys respectively via two excellent Imaginary Compilation Albums over at The Vinyl Villain. There's another brilliant ICA courtesy of Martin, the Swedish Correspondent, up this morning. 

 

Side One (17:33)

1) Wednesday's Emotional Setup: ShelleyDevoto (2002)

2) Wednesday: Drive-By Truckers (2006)

3) My Favourite Wet Wednesday Afternoon (Single Version): The Siddeleys (1987)

4) Wednesday Week: The Undertones (1980)

5) Ash Wednesday: The Psychedelic Furs (2020)

Side Two (16:39)

1) A Wednesday In August: The The (2017)

2) Wednesday's Child (Album Version): Emilíana Torrini (1999)

3) Wednesday Week: Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1978)

4) Wet Wednesday Evening: The Hardy Boys (1992)

5) Wednesday Jones (Dixie) (Version): Stephen Duffy (1986)

6) Tuesday Wednesday: The Woodentops (1988)

Side One (17:33)

Side Two (16:39)