Mike’s Favorite Original Songs of the Decade: #61 – “Happy,” from Despicable Me 2

61. “Happy,” from Despicable Me 2

I mean, of course. How could you not put this song on a list of the best original songs of the past decade? The problem is separating the fact that this song was a #1 hit on like, every radio station for about a year but also technically is an original song from a movie. It was written for Despicable Me 2 and is more memorable than literally everything in that entire movie and its sequel (and the Minions spinoffs, for that matter). It was nominated for an Oscar! It’s hard to rank this higher just because it feels like it fully crossed over into just ‘music’ and isn’t just a ‘film’ song, but I still need to show it the proper respect. It’s a really likable song and just so infectious. It’s hard not to want to groove along with it and it’s hard not to feel better whenever it comes on.