Are You Happy? Song Playlist
published 7/24/16; updated 8/24/24
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org
Continuing the popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers, here are a variety of songs about feeling happy, looking on the bright side, and pretending to be happy while hiding our true feelings.
Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the songs and videos will be appropriate for your particular context. I’ve included brief descriptions to help you choose, but please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
Songs About Feeling Happy
Feelin' Good, Nina Simone
lyrics; audio by Lauryn Hill
You might recognize this from the first line: “Birds flying high, you know how I feel…”
Feelin’ Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song), Simon and Garfunkel
lyrics; audio; cover by the Moon Loungers; cover by Mona Lisa Twins; reggae version
A few different takes on the classic feel-good song by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
Happiness, Ben Lee
lyrics; official video with home movies of children
Deciding to be happy can help everything go better.
Happy, Pharell Williams
lyrics; American Sign Language video by Deaf Film Camp; British Sign Language version by Charlotte's BSL
I think this is the all-time happiest version of “Happy,” featuring absolutely everyone at Deaf Film Camp. (Really, I mean everybody.)
Happy People, Hailey Whitters
lyrics; official animated video
Happy people are honest and kind and empathetic.
Hurricane, The Vamps
lyrics; official video
A song about feeling great, from “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”
True Happiness, Colby Jeffers
Looking on the Bright Side
The basic message of this group of songs is to keep smiling, because there’s always a reason to choose joy.
I think it’s important to make a distinction between choosing to look on the bright side vs. toxic positivity (“You must keep smiling. All the Time. No Matter How Much You’re Suffering.”)
Counting Smiles, Shivani Ray ft. Andy Ambat
Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin
lyrics; video of adults and children around the world "Playing for Change"
Smile, by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
lyrics; video of cover by Nicola Milan
Think Positive, Luke Britnell
lyrics; video from The X Factor
Three Little Birds, Bob Marley
lyrics; video of cover by Two Worlds
Trying to Hide Our Feelings
Blackout, Garbage
lyrics; video of live performance
I Smile to Hide the Pain, Phil Muriel
video with lyrics
Wonderful, Everclear
lyrics; official video
This song is about children’s reactions to their parents’ divorce: stop telling me everything is wonderful when my world is falling apart.
Related Posts
There are many more song playlists and resources on mindfulness and self-awareness here at MindfulTeachers.org, including the following posts: