I have made up a couple of compilation tapes/CDs which I call my "emergency happy tapes/CDs". Despite the title, they are not just collections of happy songs, but also of sad ones because they can sometimes help me to cry when I am feeling down. But they definitely are intended for emergencies only, cos that keeps them special. If nothing else, forcing yourself to listen to a 90 minute tape before you are "allowed" to SI does delay somewhat. and they are good to take on stressful journeys.
I made my first one ages ago, then another, and now that I can burn CDs a couple of those too. Both of the tapes have most of the sad songs on side 1 and the happier ones on side 2. On Amazon.co.uk I made these into two Listmania lists: one called "Misery Music" and the other called "Cheer-me-up Tunes".
Emergency Happy Tape 1
 | |
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Side One | |
| Everybody Hurts | R.E.M. |
| Drive | The Cars |
| The Drugs don't work | The Verve |
| It's Ok | Delirious |
| Cry if you want to | Holly Cole |
| Lullaby | Billy Joel |
| Stand by me | Ben E King |
| He ain't heavy | The Housemartins |
| Perfect | Alanis Morissette |
| I'm not in love | 10cc |
| Hands of kindness | Delirious |
| Roses in the hospital | Manic Street Preachers |
| Side Two | |
| Lean on me | Bill Withers |
| You've got a friend | The Brand New Heavies |
| Something Inside so Strong | Labi Sifre |
| A little help from my friends | The Beatles |
| Going Home | Dire Straits |
| Turn | Travis |
| Sometimes, not often | Carol Kidd |
| Lean on me | The Housemartins |
| Nightswimming | R.E.M. |
| Bittersweet Symphony | The Verve |
| Bridge over troubled water | Simon and Garfunkel |
Emergency Happy Tape 2
 | |
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Side One | |
| Dear Diary | Travis |
| Suicide is Painless | Manic Street Preachers |
| Low | R.E.M. |
| End of the world | Vonda Shephard |
| Lord I've been trying | Richard Ashcroft |
| Why not smile | R.E.M. |
| I'll stand by you | The Pretenders |
| Sing me to sleep | The Smiths |
| Motorcycle Emptiness | Manic Street Preachers |
| Funny thing | Travis |
| On your own | The Verve |
| Behind the Wall | Tracy Chapman |
| Side Two | |
| All you need is Love | The Beatles |
| I'm not worried | Moby |
| All I want | Joni Mitchell |
| Lovely Day | Bill Withers |
| I want you | Holly Cole |
| Lifted | Lighthouse Family |
| At my most beautiful | R.E.M. |
| Happy Hour | The Housemartins |
| History | The Verve |
| Flowers in the Window | Travis |
| Over the Rainbow | Eva Cassidy |
| I could sing of your love forever | Delirious |
Emergency Sad CD 3
 | |
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Nice Day for a Sulk | Belle & Sebastian |
| Buy It in Bottles | Richard Ashcroft |
| Fields of Gold | Eva Cassidy |
| The Chalet Lines | Belle & Sebastian |
| Safe | Travis |
| Every Breath You Take | The Police |
| Nothing Compares 2 U | Sinéad O'Connor |
| Since I Told You It's Over | Stereophonics |
| Hold On To Your Friends | Morrissey |
| Little Willow | Paul McCartney |
| Alison | Holly Cole |
| I'll Take The Rain | R.E.M. |
| True Colours | Phil Collins |
| Sparks | Coldplay |
| Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now | The Smiths |
| I'll be your Shelter | The Housemartins |
| Vincent | Don McLean |
| Would you forgive me? | Alanis Morisette |
Emergency Happy CD 4
 | |
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Happy | Travis |
| Don't Worry, Be Happy | Bobby McFerrin |
| Perfect Day | Lou Reed |
| Every Little Thing She Does is Magic | The Police |
| Ocean Drive | Lighthouse Family |
| Little Green | Joni Mitchell |
| Driftwood | Travis |
| Maybe Tomorrow | Stereophonics |
| Wind of Change | Scorpions |
| Standing Outside the Fire | Garth Brooks |
| I am a Rock | Simon & Garfunkel |
| I'll Sail this Ship Alone | The Beautiful South |
| An Innocent Man | Billy Joel |
| Don't Dream It's Over | Crowded House |
| All by Myself | Jamie O'Neal |
| Lithium | Nirvana |
| In the Light | DC Talk |
| Everything's Not Lost | Coldplay |
