The debt ceiling soap opera that swirled around the White House and Congress has finally come to a crappy conclusion. However, the political drama has left a bad taste in in the mouths of many Americans. We have been left wondering, again, why it seems that our elected politicians are not listening to us, but are listening to the wrong people. As a result, we’re feeling down in the dumps, cynical and just a bit angry. And not just about the debt ceiling.

When you’re in a bad mood, you try to find ways to make you feel better or you may fallback on tried and true methods. I usually feel better when my husband hugs me, seeing my son happy and healthy or talking to my mom. My other bad mood busters are more mundane such as reading, walking or sitting out on my balcony late at night staring into the sky.

However, one of the easiest and quickest methods to lift my spirits (even if for only a little while) is music. Whether it’s the lyrics, the vocalist or the beat – certain songs just make me feel better.

So for those of you in need of chasing some blues away, here are several of my ‘get-out-of-a bad-mood’ songs. Lord knows we all need a moment of solace from the the debt ceiling mess, the state of the U.S. economy or whatever else that has been pissing us off these past several months – too many to mention here.

Take a listen, I’m sure one of these songs will make you feel better.

Proud – Heather Smalls http://tinysong.com/I521 When she sings the lyrics “We need a change. Yeah. Do it today. Yeah. I can feel my spirits rising” it will make you want to do some good.

Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson http://tinysong.com/I4Re The words are highly idealistic, but what’s wrong with that? Plus, he sounds like he is really feeling the words to this song, you will feel them as well.

With A Little Help From My Friends -Joe Cocker http://tinysong.com/7cow All about how you can get by, get high (it was the 60s) and gonna try because your friends will be there with you. It’s actually a cover version of a Beatles song, but this one is very different and much, much better.

Optimistic – Sounds of Blackness http://tinysong.com/oMPG “You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky.” It’s just an outright positive, mood-altering song.

Beautiful Day – U2 http://tinysong.com/xAf8 Great song from start to finish. “It’s a beautiful day. Sky falls, you feel like it’s a beautiful day. Don’t let it get away.” In other words, find a way to count your blessings.

Everybody Dance – Ru Paul http://tinysong.com/evt0 A straight up feel-good dance song. It takes me to my happy place.

The Pressure (Part 2) – Sounds of Blackness http://tinysong.com/gJDX  “When my burdens get too heavy. He’s right there to bare the load. To give me strength and comfort anytime I need relief from the pressures of the world. I just believe.” A deeply, moving song. Note: Avoid the Part 1 version – it’s loud and terrible.

Anytime You Need A Friend – Mariah Carey http://tinysong.com/AnFe This is when she used to sing. The friend could be an earthly one or a higher being, whichever floats your boat. It makes you feel that there is someone out there who has your back.

You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor http://tinysong.com/IcfG  A quiet song, but it reminds you that many of us have people out there who can help, if you just ask.

Ain’t Nobody – Chakka Khan http://tinysong.com/AEBs A classic song about how you feel (or should feel) when you fall in love. You can hear the happiness in her voice. A sing-out-loud song.

Benny and the Jets – Elton John http://tinysong.com/qW26  “She’s got electric boots, a mohair suit. You know I read it in a magazine. B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets.” I don’t know what it means and somehow it doesn’t matter. I like singing this song – it makes me smile.