Happy Days Are Here Again

I am so old, & so old school, I had decided in the early 1970s when I came out to myself, being gay was going to be just fine because it meant that I was not obliged to get married, have children, or serve in the military… & that was a just fine by me. I was not portentous, & I could not have known that someday, in my lifetime, my gay brothers & sisters would fight for the right to marry & serve their country. Post Apocalyptic Bohemia is rarely political, but I am always dismayed that some select citizens of this great country think that the majority should & could vote on the civil rights of the minority… now that is truly un-American! Today’s news of the federal court overturning Proposition 8 is one of the major events in my life so far, right up there with desegregation, Watergate, the moon landing & Cher winning an Oscar for Best Actress. A joyful day indeed.




I have been considering of late, that happiness is not a state of being. Happiness is in the moments & that a person needs to be open & present for those moments: a kiss, a smile, a warm summer day, a song that fills your heart & stimulates your intellect, a dog sleeping in the sun, & day marked by a giant step in the freedom of those who are oppressed & denied equal rights. I am playing hooky from work & I am filled with optimism, warmth & I am open to the possibilities of a better world for everyone. &…they may have capped that fucking oil spill!

The husband was singing Happy Days Are Here Again in the car on the way home from the gym the other day. This made me consider “happy” songs & I was compelled to make the Husband this playlist. I think it is a good one. I would be made happy to send it to any reader that should ask.






Happiness- The Blue Nile


Happiness Is An Option- Pet Shop Boys


Happy Days Are Here Again- Barbra Streisand


Happy Ending- Mika


Happy Feet- Jack Hylton & his Orchestra


Happy Heart- Petula Clark


I Want To Be Happy- Ella Fitzgerald


Sunshines Better On The Other Side- John Martyn


Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows- Leslie Gore


Making Flippy Floppy- Talking Heads


Shiny Happy People- R.E.M.


Silver Lining- David Gray


Singin’ In The Rain- Jamie Cullum

Get Happy!- Judy Garland