If the long winter’s got you down, I’ve got a quick — and free — pick-me-up: five of the most upbeat instrumentals you’ll ever hear.
The first four all should have been bigger hits, in my opinion. The fifth — my top choice — was a monster hit that stayed at No. 1 for 13 weeks in 1940-41.
I’d welcome your additions to this list of the “happiest” instrumental songs. Add your nominees in the Comment section below.
So, there’s no better way to start the countdown than with one called . . .
5. “That Happy Feeling.” By song’s end, orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert should have your foot tapping and an occasional whistle working its way out.
4. “Balboa Blue.” The Marketts are best known for their recordings of two songs based on TV theme songs — “Batman” and “Outer Limits” (which they had to rename “Out of Limits” because of a legal dispute with Rod Serling of “Twilight Zone” fame). But this 1962 surf sound — starting with some hand clapping, a little piano and then the horns — should have you humming along.
3. “Hot Toddy.” Big-band leader and composer Ralph Flanagan and His Orchestra came up with this catchy 1953 hit that starts slow, builds in the middle and then eases its way back down.
2. “Swinging Sweethearts.” Ron Goodwin had a modest hit in 1957 with this lively song, which had its origins in skiffle rhythms.
1. “Frenesi.” With his distinctive clarinet sound, Artie Shaw and His Orchestra took this bouncy song into the recording stratosphere, topping some of the multiple charts of the day for three months.
The song has nice lyrics, too. The fabulous Eydie Gorme offers an enthusiastic version that combines both English and Spanish.
Linda Ronstadt, meanwhile, slows the pace a bit with her Spanish version.