Cue up the theme music to Rocky and let’s get to it. It is an upbeat song and was helped on the charts by inclusion in various TV and film projects. My hope is that the following seven songs may do the same for you; if not, that’s cool. Few pop songs are clearer examples of the confidence that hope springs eternal. Born in Houston, Texas, singer Johnny Nash was one of the very first American artists to record reggae songs in Jamaica. This song about finding escape from the noise and stress of the city is one of the best feel-good pop songs of all time. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. Carol Kaye, known for her work in the studio with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson, played bass on "I'm a Believer.". By using LiveAbout, you accept our, Johnny Nash - "I Can See Clearly Now" (1972), Katrina and the Waves - "Walking On Sunshine" (1985).
Dance group Deee-Lite brought this oddball classic into the top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. "Good Life" broke that streak and landed at #8.
2. It was one of many classic pop hits of the 1960s written by the husband and wife songwriting team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King. "Happy" was part of a phenomenal year for Pharrell Williams in which he also appeared on Daft Punk's #2 charting pop breakthrough "Get Lucky." Check out the music video brimming over with good vibes as well. Let music bring some kick back into our hearts and remind us to get together in unity and love. Like many extremely popular songs, "MmmBop" did face backlash in some quarters likening listening to the song over and over to being a form of torture.

Years later, he added a poignant touch to the song's history by playing it at the Concert for New York City in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The backing track is built around multiple samples notably Herbie Hancock's "Bring Down the Birds" and Vernon Burch's "Get Up." Along with "Something," it is one of two songs on the album written by George Harrison. There is even a 24-hour version of the "Happy" music video if you can't get enough. This is reflected in the lyrics about the arrival of the sun after a "long, cold, lonely winter.". On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are uplifting hymns like “Keep Ya Head Up,” “Ultralight Beam,” and “Love Yourz,” which inspire by radiating hope and positivity.

Pharrell Williams earned his first solo #1 hit with this cheerful tune from the soundtrack to the animated film Despicable Me 2. In 1988 Jungle DJ Towa Towa joined them and Dee-Lite became a trio. Three years later OneRepublic returned to the pop top 10 with the #2 charting smash "Counting Stars.". The Beatles' George Harrison wrote the song during a difficult winter in which he felt swamped by business and financial dealings with Apple Records. You just know one when it smacks you upside the head. With a killer chorus. Bill Lamb is a music and arts writer with two decades of experience covering the world of entertainment and culture. Every interpretation of music is subjective and people are motivated by different things, so there is no single way to define a “motivational” hip-hop song . The Beatles' George Harrison wrote the song during a difficult winter in which he felt swamped by business and financial dealings with Apple Records. Parliament bassist Bootsy Collins is featured on the original recording, as well as Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest rapping. Holding On For Life – Broken Bells. From the basic human rights of people being blatantly challenged in Charlottesville to the recent act of terror in Barcelona, it’s been pretty bleak. Then there is the top tier of motivational rap songs, which is made up of tracks that embody qualities similar to the aforementioned group, but share an unmistakable identity. It included the top 20 charting U.S. pop hit single "That's the Way.". If you need a little more motivation, besides checking out this motivation advice, turning up some of the following music is perfect! Then in 1989, the group put together a more rock-oriented album Break of Hearts. Leon Bridges – River . "Happy" became a major pop hit in much of the rest of the world before reaching charts in the U.S. It was his final significant hit in the US. The Drifters formed in 1953 as a backing vocal group for Clyde McPhatter.