That’s why theEntertainment Weeklystaff has compiled this handy list of 25 songs that make us smile.
Read more from EW’s2021 Happy List a collection of pop culture pleasures to make your year even better.
His passion is downright infectious.
Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Christine Sutton; Rob DeMartin; Universal Music
Dan Morrissey
“Friday” Rebecca Black (2011)
It started as a long-running joke.
But something happened along the way.
Can something be undeniably terrible, yet also sort of wonderful?
All I know is there’s something about “Friday” that I find genuinely fun-fun-fun-fun.
James Hibberd
“Baba O’Riley” The Who (1971)
Cliche?
Tull’s got you.
This classic ’70s jam is brimming with good vibes and more.
Hit play on this bad boy and you’ll be mentally prancing about the English countryside in no time.
As the child of immigrants, I had no extended family in the States.
So getting together to share laughter, music, and delicious food is very much my happy place.
What’s it about?
When that saxophone solo hits after the first chorus, does anyone still care?
thanks to a viral TikTok trend.
Not the cast album.
Not the show itself.
Just this one specific moment preserved on the internet from 2011.
Marcus Jones
“Danza Kuduro” Lucenzo feat.
Roman and Tej got the same car!
Han and Gisele are, thankfully, not heading to Tokyo yet!
Brian demands a rematch with Dom!
Do I know what any of the lyrics mean?
Do I stop what and I’m doing to dance and sing along when it comes on?
The song will always hold a special place in my heart.
Tyler Aquilina
“Know Your Worth” Disclosure, Khalid feat.
The song will put a smile on your face and give you something to dance to.
as the refrain goes.
Those Sheldon Harnick lyrics offer some wise philosophy too: “Be happy, be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes, here’s to whatever comes.”
You won’t find another track that uses “jubilation” so perfectly.
Sam Highfill
“Freedom!
‘90” George Michael (1990)
George Michael’s “Freedom!
Marcus Jones
“Dance the Night Away” Van Halen (1979)
There is cowbell.
There is yelping alongside yow!-ing.
There are beaming harmonies and sunny harmonics.
“Dance the Night Away” is Van Halen at peak brightness, peak joy; their M.O.
in these three minutes is more to move your ass than to kick it.
When you feel this song from across!
the room, your Friday night suddenly begins, any day of the week.Dan Snierson
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