I randomly selected a song halfway through the letter "G" in my music alphabet and set out to pick songs which were upbeat, made me smile and encouraged my voice to come back so I could sing and car dance again as soon as possible.
"So come on! Come on! Feel the vibrations!!!"
1. Gloria by Laura Branigan
I cannot remember when or where I heard this song... back in high school, I know, but I just love this song!! It so early 80s. Laura has such a powerful voice. I just can't help myself with this song!!!
2. Honey, Honey by ABBA (Mamma Mia Soundtrack)
Seriously, the band which should come to mind when someone says upbeat, sing-a-long and smile music is ABBA, no questions asked.
3. Give up the Funk by Parliament (GLEE Soundtrack version)
"You've got a real type of thing going down, getting down. There's a whole lot of rhythm going down... so let's turn this mother out!!!"
4. Gold Digger by Kayne West (CLEAN version from GLEE Soundtrack)
No! I do NOT endorse Kayne or the majority of the lyrics to this song in any way shape or form!!!! BUT... when Matthew Morrison sang the clean version on the first season of GLEE, oh! It was ghetto white boy fabulous!
5. Hazy Shade of Winter covered by The Bangles
Seriously one of my favorite girl rock bands ever!!!! Seriously one of the best covered songs ever!!! The guitar!!! The drums!!! Seriously one of my favorite covered songs ever!!!
6. Gold on the Ceiling by The Black Keys
If you people have not listened any further to this band besides "Lonely Boy", do it now!! The El Camino album rocks!!! Guitar and drums people, guitar and drums.
7. Golden Years by David Bowie
I feel in love with this song while watching A KNIGHT'S TALE many, many moons ago in the 90s. I show this movie to my students every year when we learn about the Middle Ages... partly for education, but mostly because everyone needs to have a little 70s rock/Middle Ages/Heath Ledger moment in their life!!!
"Nothing's gonna touch us in these GOLDEN YEARS!!"
8. Head over Heels by the Go Gos
Another one of my favorite girl bands!!! I love the piano riff in the middle of this song- best part!!
9. Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phillips
I really like the lyrics to this song and the upbeat drum tempo.
10. Are you gonna be my girl by Jet
Classic 90s rock song!!! Can't get enough of that beat!!
"Big black boots! Long brown hair! She's so sweet with her get back stare!"
11. How a Heart Breaks by Rob Thomas
Solo Rob... I actually enjoyed that album, but like him waay more as MATCHBOX 20. I debuted this song at Spin class back in high school, and it was an immediate crowd pleaser... one of my most requested songs. Brings back fabulous memories!!!
12. Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Can't help but smile... 90s Mark Whalberg!!! :)
13. Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant
Love this one-hit wonder!!! Another crowd pleaser from Spin class.
14. She's got the Look by Roxette
One of my favorite 80s songs!!!
"Tasty like a raindrop, she's got the Look!"
15. Hey Ya by Outkast
Before you judge!! Remember, I'm a child of the 90s!!! This song never gets old for me, which probably does not apply to anyone else, I know! :)
Favorite line: "Shake it! Shake it! Shake it like a Polaroid picture!" :)
16. Hey, what's going on by 4 Non Blondes (Dance Mix)
I use this song, Dance Mix version, for every workout I do personally or teach. It never ever fails to please and make ya SWEAT!
17. Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder (Red Hot Chili Peppers version)
Wait wait wait!!! I love the Stevie Wonder funk version! You know me, I don't play around with Mr. Wonder but!!!! To get me up and going, I like the RHCP better.
18. Holding out for a Hero... BOTH Footloose and Shrek 2 version
I love Bonnie Tyler's version in Footloose-one of the best moments in the movie. I mean, Kevin Bacon dancing around like a crazy man... what's not to love!! And who wants to admit they have done the same thing in their own house/backyard to that song??!! ;)
I also love the more Spanish-influenced version from Shrek 2. I generally play them back to back, with the Shrek 2 version last because I love that line in Shrek 2 at the end of the song where Shrek yells at Prince Charming "Hey you! Get your hands off my wife!" He means it man! It's great!! And then they have the whole "Beauty and the Beast" moment where Shrek and Fiona turn back into ogres... awww, soo good!!! :)
"He's gotta be sure. And it's gotta be soon. And he's gotta be larger than life, Larger than Life!"