I have never told you about my "happy song." It's from the musical "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and was written by the ever-surprising Danny Elfman. For those unfamiliar with the film, it is on of those magnificently craven products of Tim Burton's mind. The story follows Jack Skellington, a skeleton frustrated with the humdrum of living in 'Hallowe'en Town' - a place where three hundred and sixty-five days of the year are devoted to preparing and executing Hallowe'en.
The song is called "What's This?" and it's performed when Jack stumbles across 'Christmas Town.' Jack is completely confused and amazed by all the happiness, colour and light that he sees everywhere.
"Oh my, what now?
The children are asleep
But look, there's nothing underneath
No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them
Or ensnare them, only little cozy things
Secure inside their dreamland
What's this?"
Basically this song brings across the spirit of an excitable four-year-old who has just been let loose in a toy shop and told he can have whatever he likes. I LOVE THAT! The pace of the song accelerates and lulls depending on what Jack sees and how bewildered and excited he is.
The effect that this song has on me is quite remarkable. It has been known to cause me to just laugh hysterically at the top of my lungs. I don't know why I find it so funny, but I can find myself in floods of tears from singing along. It's especially fun if there are people around who don't know that I am particularly insane. That's always good.
I can't stress enough how wonderful I think this song is. I loved it before I saw "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and I still maintain that it's better to listen to it without the video.
From it's magical and energetic extended introduction to the final line, I LOVE THIS SONG! IT MAKES ME HAPPY!
TRY IT!
