The Power of Positive – Happy Songs and Hand Claps!

Written by: Chris Stamper

Music has always had a special place in my life.  From a very young age, I’ve always listened to music.  Falling asleep with my Walkman on in my teenage years, attending as many concerts as I can, over 120 and still going and looking forward to the day live music returns.  I always listened to music to help me study, when I work and most importantly celebrating events and activities with friends and family.  Road trip anyone???  Hopefully soon!

Equally important to me through my life has been the power of a positive mental attitude.  A positive mental attitude (PMA) can make a significant impact on all aspects of your life.  It can help improve your overall health and contribute to your friendships and relationships.  My first formal indoctrination to a PMA was as a participant in a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar.   Each spring, 10,000 high school sophomores from across North America, participate in one of HOBY’s Leadership Seminars to develop their leadership skills and learn how to apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace.  I learned early that a PMA can drive you to great things.

The pandemic has impacted every facet of our lives and has taken a toll on the mental health of so many.  Through my work with the Awesome Music Project I came to better understand the role of music in mental health therapy.  Toronto based authors Robert Carli and Terry Stuart set out on a journey to illustrate how and why music has the power to improve our mental, emotional and physical health, help in hindering depression and even delay the onset of dementia.  In investigating this subject, the authors realized there is no one particular song, one specific album or one perfectly curated playlist that can alleviate feelings of sadness or disparity for all.  Rather, the authors observed that it’s the personal meaning of a song to each listener; the emotional weight a specific piece carries for each one of us that gives the music its power.

For me there have always been Happy Songs.  Songs, that when they come on, I can’t help but tap my feet, sing a-long and feel a little bit inspired after a listen. Walking On Sunshine, by Katrina and the Waves is one of the most obvious.  It got me thinking, what makes a happy song. Happy songs generally have fast tempos, a driving drum beat, and a major key.  In my experience, the best of the best usually have hand claps!  Hand claps take a happy song to 11!

In the spirit of staying positive in these trying times and with a better days ahead, I compiled a list of the songs that make me feel happy, get my toe tapping and remind me of the power of positive and a PMA.   I hope some of the songs on my list do the same for you.  Enjoy and happy listening.

Here are my top 5 – What’s one of yours?

Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones

Our Lips Are Sealed – The Go-Go’s

Lovely Day – Bill Withers

Eight Days A Week – The Beatles

Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves