Happy songs in a minor key?

[Bob_Ross]

Moondance (which the whole world is sick of).

fwiw band I just started playing with wanted to cover "Moondance" and I of course balked because, dear lord, do we really need to hear yet another rendition of "Moondance"?!?! But it falls nicely in the singer's range...

Then, a godsend: Since this band has a 3-piece horn section, the arranger said "Hey, can we cover the Michael Buble version instead of the Van Morrison version?" Suddenly it's not such a tired worn-out eternal minor vamp; now it's a dynamic, energetic, Mad Men-era suave crooner vehicle!

I have been temporarily mollified.

 

[socknroll1]

Runaway Train by Soul Asylum.

 

[doctone]

 

[Lefty Joe]

So far, I have: And I Love Her, It's a Man's Word, Move On Up (which we probably couldn't pull off ), Coconut Grove, and Moondance (which the whole world is sick of).

Your suggestions are most welcome!

Picking up on "Minor Swing", it seems your best antidote to dirge is quicker tempo. Also, as shown in "And I Love Her", another antidote is modulation to major, even if the main part is minor.

Not so sure the world is sick of "Moondance" (musicians, yes; everyone else, seemingly not), but recent experience in a Van Morrison tribute band caused me to appreciate that "The Way Young Lovers Do" is like "Moondance" with more harmonic changes (including - yes - a modulation to major).

 

[Jaycat]

"The Way Young Lovers Do"

Great idea, thanks.

 

[RattleSnack]

If you're into changing time signatures, try Sting - Love Is Stronger Than Justice. It has country vibe and alternating 7/8 and 4/4.

 

[Jaycat]

I don't mind changing time signatures. I do mind "Sting."

 

[pklima]

"Puttin' On The Ritz" is minor, isn't it? If you audience is old enough to remember Young Frankenstein...

 

[MrAB4003]

I'm surprised nobody has said this one. It's IN THE NAME!



Or for something different...

 

[roccobass]

I dunno. I always thought this E minor tune as happy. Maybe the bridge being in a major key disqualifies it.

 

[blastoff]

Finnish folk music is for you! i always thought of them as christmas dirges during family gatherings.

 

[Michedelic]

I dunno. I always thought this E minor tune as happy. Maybe the bridge being in a major key disqualifies it.

So many of Graham Gouldman’s songs that became hits for a variety of 60’s Britpoppers were minor, but overall upbeat when they would resolve to a major vibe on the chorus. “Heartful Of Soul” was the other major one he wrote for the Yardies, but later on, during the Page period, they got halfway to finishing one that Graham’s own band, The Mockingbirds, originally put out, but bombed…



Two other Gouldman classics that hang on a minor chord, but bop along…