"Life, It Ain't Easy'

So, do you guys remember Vitamin C? Of course you do. And you probably remember her hit song 'Graduation', which still makes you cry a little (and don't even try to pretend it doesn't - I see right through you).

But, you may also remember a little ditty by the name of 'Smile'. If you were conscious in the year 1999, chances are you heard the song and found it pretty catchy. And, seeing as MTV still played music videos back in the 90's (it's okay if you some of you tweens don't recall such a phenomenon), you may have even seen the video.

The music video for 'Smile' combines all great facets of 90's pop hits: neon lights, vibrantly-colored hair, ironically not ironic lyrics, choreographed dance moves you practiced in your bedroom and (the clincher) severely-cut crop-tops.

So, what does all this have to do with you? Glad you asked, loyal reader:

I routinely scour iTunes .69 song base for music that won't break the bank, and I recently stumbled across the aforementioned Vitamin C gem. I proceeded to download the song, regret the download for approximately 23 hours, revisit said song and finally decided, "Not the worst decision you've ever made." That's a win in my books.

It also prompted me to - gasp - smile, and eventually led to me to writing this post. Since my return from South America (check it: http://americangirlincochabamba.blogspot.com/), I've been pretty busy with work and trudging through mountains of snow, and have neglected to keep up with the 'If You're Happy and You Know It' blog. Apologies to die-hard fans.

Therefore, I present to you: The 'If You're Happy and You Know It' Reunion Tour 2014. Things were a little rocky for a while, but we're communicating better and our therapist says we're on the verge of a major breakthrough.

This means I will be posting more on the blog, with funny (and occasionally witty) updates, anecdotes, videos and photos. I can't promise weekly blogs like before, but I will do my best to stay in touch. If you like reading my posts, that's a big plus for you. If you hate me and everything I write on here, this is pretty bad news for you. Either way, I do hope you enjoy this installment.

Without further ado, I present to you, the impetus behind the re-awakened blog postings.

Enjoy Vitamin C's music video for 'Smile' here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRPLaobXG2k

Also, you're welcome.

Happy Tip #2

Happy Tip: Put on some music you love and sing, dance around, slap some air bass - whatever floats your boat. It'll make you feel better and you can pretend it's a workout if you jump around for long enough. 

Here's a list of some songs I use if you need ideas or a jump start:

Best Rock Ballads:

'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' - Poison

'Angel' - Aerosmith

** Pretty much anything by Aerosmith will work here **

'Faithfully' - Journey

Best Country Songs:

'Country Girl (Shake It For Me)' - Luke Bryan

'5-1-5-0' - Dierks Bentley 

'Kerosene' - Miranda Lambert

'Get Your Shine On' - Florida Georgia Line

'She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy' - Kenny Chesney

Best Pop Songs:

'Burn' - Usher

** You gotta really feel this one, so put everything you have into it **

Anything by LMFAO

'Get Low' - Lil Jon ft. The Ying Yang Twins

** If you have trouble, try channeling Sandra Bullock in 'The Proposal' - go with the beat **

'Pop' - *NSYNC

'Shake' - Jesse McCartney

'She Bangs' - Ricky Martin

'Hips Don't Lie' - Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean

Best Sing-Alongs:

'Ice, Ice Baby' - Vanilla Ice

'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' - Will Smith

** Extra tip: pay out for the CD version - it's way better than the TV version **

Anything from the 'Rent' soundtrack (I usually go with 'Out Tonight' and 'Light My Candle')

Anything from the 'Moulin Rouge' soundtrack (Favorites include 'Elephant Love Medley', 'Come What May' and 'El Tango de Roxanne')

'Man! I Feel Like a Woman!' - Shania Twain

'Jumper' - Third Eye Blind

** Jam out on your acoustic guitar and try not to sing along to this one. You know you want to **

'Love Is a Battlefield' - Pat Benatar

'Jessie's Girl' - Rick Springfield

'Brown Eyed Girl' - Van Morrison

'It Takes Two' - DJ EZ Rock & Rob Base

'Mickey' - Toni Basil

'Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond

Best 90's Throwbacks:

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' - Nirvana 

'Tubthumping' - Chumbawamba

'Two Princes' - Spin Doctors 

'What's My Age Again?' - Blink -182

Anything by Will Smith (Try: 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It' and 'Miami')

'Jumpin' Jumpin'' - Destiny' Child

'Fly' - Sugar Ray

'Fat Lip' - Sum 41

Anything by The Spice Girls

Best Classic Songs:

'Yellow Submarine' - The Beatles

** This song still makes me feel like I'm 6-years-old dancing in my living and getting half the words wrong. Try not to be jealous of my childhood **

'Sexbomb' - Tom Jones

'Footloose' - Kenny Loggins

'Only the Good Die Young' - Billy Joel

'Final Countdown' - Europe

'Don't Stop Believin'' - Journey

'Bohemian Rhapsody' - Queen

'Surfin' USA' - The Beach Boys

'Eye of the Tiger' - Survivor

Best Chillax Songs:

** You can mellow dance to these ones - give it a go **

'Slow Ride' - Foghat

'Son's Gonna Rise' - Citizen Cope

'Banana Pancakes' - Jack Johnson

'Take a Picture' - Filter

'Lucky Man' - The Verve

'Do You Realize?' - The Flaming Lips

'Lightning Crashes' - Live

Other:

** Just for fun, here's a few more **

'Black Betty' - Ram Jam

'Do You Believe in Magic' - The Lovin' Spoonful

Anything by the The Lonely Island 

The theme from 'Saved By The Bell' 

** And don't act like you don't know all the words **

'Tush' - ZZ Top

'Push It' - Salt-n-Pepa

'Milkshake' - Kelis

** What a closer! Yeah…I went there **

If you have song suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below! Thanks!