Happy | 3 to 5 BOPS

Happy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 2 (2023), features musical BOPS courtesy of Aretha Franklin, Billie Eilish, Bobby McFerrin, Demi Lovato, and John Lennon & Yoko Ono.

Ah, you know what time it is! It’s 3 to 5 BOPS time – WOO! On 3 to 5 BOPS, it’s all about brevity and sweetness… for the most part! There’s a theme/topic, 3, 4, or 5 songs, and a blurb – often no more than  two paragraphs.  3 to 5 BOPS is a mini playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 2^nd edition of 3 to 5 BOPS (2023), we select songs that are associated with HAPPY in some form or fashion. The BOPS arrive courtesy of 🎙 Aretha Franklin, 🎙 Billie Eilish, 🎙 Bobby McFerrin, 🎙 Demi Lovato, and 🎙 John Lennon & Yoko Ono. Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Bobby McFerrin, “Don’t Worry Be Happy”

💿 Simple Pleasures • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 1988

The 🎙 Bobby McFerrin gem from his 1988 album, 💿 Simple Pleasures, 🎵 “Don’t Worry Be Happy”, is nothing short of iconic. The song won 🏆 three Grammy awards, for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” is classic for a variety of reasons.  A novel number, blending jazz and reggae, it’s a totally infectious, minimalist, a cappella record. McFerrin does wonders with his voice, and few will deny, as far as mainstream music, that this is among the best a cappella songs of all time. Furthermore, thematically, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” thrives off of its positivity.  Despite a number of unfortunate situations, such as “The landlord say your rent is late / He may have to litigate,” McFerrin urges us to embrace and embody the phrase, “Don’t worry, be happy.” He has a point, though still, an eviction is bound to happen… Even so, how can you listen to this song and not feel a sense of optimism and happiness?

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs Filled with Overwhelming Worries
• Bobby McFerrin, Don’t Worry Be Happy | Throwback Thursday 💎
• Weekly Gems 💎 1: Week of 3-30-2020

2. Demi Lovato, “Happy Ending”

💿 HOLY FVCK • 🏷 Island • 📅 2022

On 🎵 “Happy Ending,” from the shocking 💿 HOLY FVCK album, 🎙 Demi Lovato seeks just that (the happy ending, not the holy fvck, in this case).  The nonbinary musician has experienced their fair share of struggles.  They have sought God, and felt like it did not work for them, experienced substance abuse, and became sober, but “miss [their] vices.”  The point is, that even though finding happiness is arduous and seems impossible, they are still working hard to attain it. The honesty and transparency are greatly appreciated. That certain deserves a – wait for it – HOLY FVCK!

3. Billie Eilish, “Happier Than Ever”

💿 Happier Than Ever • 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope • 📅 2021

“When I’m away from you / I’m happier than ever / Wish I could explain it better / I wish it wasn’t true.” Oh, snap 🫰! 🎵 “Happier Than Ever” ranks among the biggest surprises of 💿 Happier Than Ever, the sophomore album by 🏆 Academy and Grammy award winner, 🎙 Billie Eilish. Why does this record rank among the biggest surprises? Well, “Happier Than Ever” transforms into this bold, overblown rock cut, which seems uncharacteristic of the artist.  Eilish, who barely raises her voice, singing in an undertone usually, gives us a powerful, unexpected dynamic vocal on the second half of the track.  Honestly, just hearing this ‘about face,’ particularly after “Happier Than Ever” ends different than it commences, is enough to make it a surefire winner.  Also, Eilish drops a few swear words, here and there (“‘Cause that shit’s embarrassing, you were my everything / And all that you did was make me fuckin’ sad”).

4. Aretha Franklin, “So Damn Happy”

💿 So Damn Happy • 🏷 Arista • 📅 2003

“My love / Oh baby, my love / It’s always been you / You make me so damn happy.” You know what makes me so damn happy? Anytime that the Queen of Soul, the late, great 🎙 Aretha Franklin sings.  On 🎵 “So Damn Happy,” the title track from her 2003 album, Franklin can’t let go of the love – she absolutely and utterly adores this man.  In the second verse, she asserts, “You can’t always have what you want / You have to take the bitter with the sweet,” continuing, “I’m a big girl and I know what I want / Three nights in your arms would be / A super treat / Give it to me, baby.” Oh, snap 🫰! Of course, those three nights aren’t going to happen, and Franklin admits in the emotional, spirited chorus, “I got to get over you / Ooh, but it’s so hard / ‘Cause you’re my everything.” It’s damn sad that this so damn happy song doesn’t deliver a happy ending.  Oh well – you win some, you lose some – even if you are THE QUEEN OF SOUL!

5. John Lennon & Yoko Ono, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”

💿 GIMME SOME TRUTH. • 🏷 Calderstone Productions Limited • 📅 2020

“A very merry Christmas / And a happy new year / Let’s hope it’s a good one / Without any fear.” Truthfully, during the holidays, there is a time of great reflection and seeking to be better and much improved in the forthcoming year.  That is something that the memorable chorus of the 1970s Christmas classic, 🎵 “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”, highlights extremely well.  🎙 John Lennon and 🎙 Yoko Ono are responsible for penning and performing “Happy Xmas,” a song that has been covered by numerous musicians. Peace and unity are firmly planted in Lennon’s mind. He sings the verses while Ono and Harlem Community Choir perform the chorus in all its glory. In the second verse, Lennon truly strikes a powerful chord as he sings, “And so happy Christmas / For black and for white / For yellow and red ones / Let’s stop all the fight.” Essentially, he paints a picture of a world where all races, ethnicities, and folks of varying socioeconomic statuses can co-exist without fighting.  He envisions a society that eschews war and embraces peace.  Furthermore, the holidays seem to unite everyone, and Lennon and Ono seek to keep the same energy with everyday life.  Honestly, this is such a marvelous, uplifting song that transcends Christmas/one season of the year.

Appears in 🔻:

• John Lennon & Yoko Ono, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 47 (2022)

Happy: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 2 (2023) [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, Calderstone Productions Limited, Capitol, Darkroom, Interscope, Island, The Musical Hype, Jorge Fakhouri Filho]