#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)

Are You Still Ready For The 70's Explosion?

Side 2 of a mixtape, originally compiled 16th September 1990. 

 

This selection comes with a health warning: whilst again raiding my parents' K-Tel & Ronco vinyl collection, as I did for Side 1, this side has D.I.S.C.O. (as opposed to D.I.S.C.O.) writ large. There are high doses of Saturday Night Fever and listeners may get a bad case of the Hee Bee Gee Bees. Again, some classics, some cheese and still no apologies.

 

Whilst I'm throwing in some completely unrelated YouTube links, it's probably worth looking up all of these songs for a visual, but I'm going to single out Jean-Michel Jarre's Equinox, as he seems quite keen to show off his luscious, flowing locks.

 

1) Stayin' Alive (Full Length Album Version): Bee Gees (1977)

2) You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Single Version): Sylvester (1978)

3) I'm A Man (Khayem's So Macho Outrovert Re-Edit): Macho (1978)

4) If I Can't Have You: Yvonne Elliman (1977)

5) Boogie Shoes (Album Version): KC & The Sunshine Band (1975)

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

7) Jive Talkin' (Album Version): Bee Gees (1975)

8) Rock The Boat: Hues Corporation (1973)

9) Never Can Say Goodbye (Single Version) (Cover of The Jackson 5): Gloria Gaynor (1974)

10) Boogie Oogie Oogie (Full Length Version): A Taste Of Honey (1978)

11) Rasputin (Album Version): Boney M. (1978)

12) Equinoxe Part 5 (Album Version): Jean-Michel Jarre (1978)

13) Dancing In The City (Album Version): Marshall Hain (1978)

14) Summer In The City (Special Disco Version) (Cover of The Lovin' Spoonful): Evolution (1978)

Side Two (54:43)

Side One here