High Hopes

Frank Sinatra. That about sums it up. High Hopes won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1959 for the movie A Hole in the Head. I love it's optimism and cheese. Definitely good for a pick-me-up.

Rhiannon

I like Fleetwood Mac. They're kind of random. Every song or album doesn't sound just like the one before with different words. I was recently listening to a greatest hits type of album. There were a few songs where I thought, "Oh, this is by them?" So of course after listening to that, I got their 1976 hit Rhiannon stuck in my head.

9 to 5

Dolly Parton has said, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap." She certainly has a singular image. Her first recording was released in 1967, her latest just last year (2009). I love her more bluegrass sounds. Of course, I like 9 to 5 because of the full, jazzy orchestration that backs up her lively vocals. You can just hear how much fun she's having performing it.

World on Fire

If I was forced to pick someone to trade voices with, it would be a pretty tough choice between Sarah McLachlan and Julie Andrews (pre-surgery). I think I love Sarah's voice because she sings in my range. That and it is warm, mellow, and sometimes haunting. I will say it: it's gorgeous. Sarah sang World on Fire on her Afterglow released in 2003.

Drive

Incubus hit #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart with this song in 2001. The music video was nominated for an MTV Music Award for Best Group Video, but lost to 'N Sync's Pop. I've never even heard that song until today, and frankly I was not impressed. The music video was almost irritating to watch due to it's jerkiness. The song itself left a lot to be desired. I much prefer Drive, with it's M. C. Escher inspired video, mellow instrumentation, and motivating message.

Isn't She Lovely

Stevie Wonder won 4 Grammy awards in 1977 for his album Songs in the Key of Life. The album was a 2 LP set, with Isn't She Lovely featured on the 3rd side. The album has been called one of the most influential of all time. Elton John said, "For me, it's the best album ever made, and I'm always left in awe after I listen to it." Pretty high praise. I might need to go buy it so I can hear the rest of the songs, not just the one stuck in my head this morning.

It's a Grand Night for Singing

This is one of my favorites. I was watching State Fair (1945 version) Sunday while the hubster was at meetings. I love this song... it tends to get stuck in my head. Wow, Dick Haymes, what a crooner. That's all I have to say.

To Sir, With Love

This was the #1 song for the year 1967. Sung by Lulu for a movie of the same name, it held the top Billboard spot for 5 weeks. Lulu was born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie. She went by Lulu Kennedy-Cairns. I'm not sure if that's an improvement, though: they're both mouthfuls.