Happy, upbeat songs in minor keys - more?

I can't think of many - "That's the Way I Like It" by KC and the Sunshine Band comes to mind - also "It Had Better Be Tonight" by Henry Mancini. Any others (not counting blues)?

 

One of my favorite Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass instrumentals is in a minor key - "Green Peppers." Too me that's a happy tune.

 

'Happy Together' by the Turtles

 

Two early Beatles classics: "And I Love Her" and "Things We Said Today."

 

Uited by Judas Priest
Shinin' On by Grand Funk
Rock Steady by Bad Company
You Should Be Dancin' By the Bee Gees
Hot Stuff by the Rolling Stones
All Your Love by Otis Rush

 

'Love Is Blue' -Paul Mauriat (though it goes to major in the refrain)

'Beautiful Life' -Ace Of Base

-Aaron

 

The Searchers' "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" (Barbara Lewis did the original) veers between major and minor, but the title phrase is definitely minor. Apropos, really, in that, while the singer has lost the girl/guy, he/she is expressing a very positive hope that they'll get back together again.


You could argue that The Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon" fits the pattern. There's a brief passage in D major, but most of the song is in D minor. And the protagonist, despite the woes he enumerates, seems relatively content with his lot ("I love to live so pleasantly, live this life of luxury"). Certainly, the song has a singalong quality that makes it, ultimately, upbeat.


"I Think I'm Gonna Feel Better" from Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers has an unusual chord structure, mixing major and minor chords. But the chorus, including the last chord of the song, ultimately ends on a minor chord, which gives this basically positive song a strange feel.

 

Beatles - "Fixing a Hole" ?

Thelonious Monk - "Green Chimneys" ?

I'm not sure whether "happy and upbeat" is something everyone would agree on - but the first one seems to have an optimistic bent, and the second one (which doesn't have lyrics) seems pretty cheerful, maybe because of the medium-fast tempo and crisp rhythm and articulation.

 

Detroit Rock City by Kiss
Strutter-Kiss

 

Black Sabbath - Fluff

 

"Bus Stop" by the Hollies.