I don’t know if you’ve glanced at the news lately, but I have. Frankly, this has been a pretty lousy summer from a current affairs standpoint. For the most part it’s been too damn hot, we’ve lost too many wonderful people, and the U.S. presidential election bullcrap hasn’t even kicked into high gear yet.

Sigh. So while I’m not advocating we all stick our heads in the sand, I think we could all use a little pick-me-up. Here’s a bunch of tunes curated by yours truly that have little in common, except that they make me smile. I hope they will make you smile too.


  1. Right Said Fred — “Love for All Seasons” (from Up)
  2. Cindy Scott — “I Love You Baby” (from The Original Northern Soul Selection)
  3. Frank Sinatra — “The Curse of an Aching Heart” (from Swing Along with Me)
  4. Koop — “Summer Sun (feat. Yukimi Nagano)” (from Waltz for Koop)
  5. Frank Zappa — “Broken Hearts Are for Assholes” (from Sheik Yerbouti)
  6. Queen — “Bring Back That Leroy Brown” (from Sheer Heart Attack)
  7. Thelonious Monk — “In Walked Bud” (from Underground)
  8. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings — “Got a Thing on My Mind” (from Dap-Dippin’ with…)
  9. The Kinks — “Apeman” (from Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One)
  10. Mr. Bungle — “Golem II: The Bionic Vapour Boy” (from California)
  11. Louis Armstrong — “You Rascal You” (from Priceless Jazz Collection)
  12. The New Mastersounds — “Free Man” (from Breaks from the Border)
  13. Van Halen — “Could This Be Magic?” (from Women and Children First)
  14. “Weird Al” Yankovic — “Another One Rides the Bus” (from “Weird Al” Yankovic)
  15. Queen Latifah — “When You’re Good to Mama” (from Chicago)
  16. William Shatner w/Henry Rollins — “I Can’t Get Behind That” (from Has Been)
  17. Elvis Presley — “Hard Headed Woman” (from ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits)

About the Author

Chris Holmes

Chris Holmes joined the Popdose writing staff only after enduring a humiliating series of hazing rituals. One day he'll write a tell-all book, and then they'll all pay. Until then, you can also catch him at his regular home, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, or you can follow him on Twitter.

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