The 10 songs to get into a joyful mood!
Like back in the day when we made mixtapes on cassettes, yesterday, I made a playlist on YouTube for you. Ok, I'll admit - it's for me, but I thought you'd appreciate it!
I put together a collection of songs about "joy" that make me smile and immediately feel joy. I've invited the Joymosa email list subscribers to contribute to the list, too!
Songs of Joy
I added 10 songs to the playlist. As you listen to the songs on YouTube, you'll discover my heavy gospel music influences. Growing up with my family in Nashville, Tennessee, gospel music was my first introduction to joy. And, there was no escaping it! I may not have known what the word 'joy' meant, but it always just felt good singing about it!
What impresses me about this music is that whether or not you believe in the same divine joy that the lyrics speak of, you can still feel lifted from the sounds!! It's the collection of voices, the moving drum rhythms, The jovial notes that roll from the hands of the musicians. It makes for an incredible place for a celebration!
Here's my list:
- Joyful, Joyful from Sister Act
- Joy - The Georgia Mass Choir
- Joy to the World by Three Dog Night
- Joy to the World - Whitney Houston (from Preacher's Wife Soundtrack)
- Happy, Happy Joy Joy - Ren & Stimpy
- Joy - King & Country
- Joy - Rev. James Moore
- You May Have the Joybells/If you want joy - The White Sister
- Joy Bells - congregational (David L. Ellis Live)
- More Abundantly - Ricky Dillard
For now, let's talk about the first three songs on the list. Check out these blogs to read about my experience with the others!
Joyful, Joyful - from Sister Act
Video | Lyrics
The Lyrics of the song Joyful, Joyful are so poetic. Combine them with the voice of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn's story in Sister Act, and the choir's energy, you've got an explosion! I felt the power the first -- and the thousandth -- time that I heard this rendition!
My favorite lyrics from this song
In this case, Joy is synonymous with God. Whatever your source of joy is...your heart opens up, and the sadness and darkness swiftly goes away, if only we allow ourselves to be filled with the light of day!
You have to listen to the lyrics as you enjoy this song!
Joy - The Georgia Mass Choir
Video | Lyrics
This song is Gospel Gold! Written by Kirk Franklin, this is one of the songs that I grew up singing in church all the time! In this video, the choir proclaims "joy" as the landing place at the end of any life challenge. "Oh, joy, joy in my soul!"
Try standing up and belting the word "Joy" like the choir does in this song! Your backbone straightens, your brows lift, and you are suddenly committed and rerouted to destination "Joy."
Joy to the World by Three Dog Night
Video | Lyrics
"Jeremiah was bullfrog!"
"Wait, whah? He was a...bullfrog?!"
Even if you've heard this song 10 thousand times, Three Dog Night has your attention! Who doesn't get revved up when you hear that line? There is nothing that snatches you out of your funk like a good lyrical jolt of the ears!
Then we all sing together:
This song is everything we all need to be! Playful, confident, bold, imaginative, full of energy and life, and inviting all people.
Want to add your "joy" songs to the playlist?
Subscribe to our mailing list and shoot us an email at joy@joymosa.co to let us know!
To listen to the YouTube playlist click here. Subscribe to the Joymosa YouTube channel while you are there!
Next Thursday, I'll talk about more of these songs! Check the Bottomless Joymosa blog online then!
Update: the playlist is now on iTunes!