i may be a bird in a cage but at least it's your cage

1. "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" -- The Darkness. I haven't heard anything else by them, but this song is BRILLIANT and guaranteed to get you up on your feet and singing your fool head off.

2. "Funny Little Frog" -- Belle & Sebastian. My favorite song from their latest album, The Life Pursuit: sweet and goofy and bouncy and just fun.

3. "Vul'indlela" -- Brenda Fassie. Ms. Fassie was South Africa's answer to Madonna; this song was her big club hit the year I was there.

4. "Marabi" -- Mafikizolo. Another South African band; they usually play more poppy/clubby stuff, but this one is more of a throwback to township jazz. It's upbeat but also sort of gentle; a good way to ease into your day.

5. "Mdlwembe" -- Zola. Okay, I just started scrolling through my South African playlist and kept coming up with all these great songs. This one has some fantastic hooks and that heavy, get-up-off-your-ass-and-DANCE beat.

Honorable mention goes to Norah Jones' "Sunrise", which is perfect to listen to when you have the time to just lie in bed for a while and wake up slowly.