Spring has arrived. Although it is still early, the days are longer and the temperatures are rising. The season can be unpredictable with its mood swings, but eventually the permanent breakthrough will come.

With the help of music, spring is really always in the air. The following list includes songs that are perfect for this time of year. The original intent of the lyrics may or may not be about spring, but the songs still give you the feeling.

Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles) (1969)

“Here Comes the Sun” was written by George Harrison in Eric Clapton’s garden in 1969. Recorded for the “Abbey Road” LP, It is a true testament to the joy of spring when the sun appears and flowers begin to bloom after a long, seemingly never-ending winter.

Little darling

I feel the ice is slowly melting

Little darling

It seems like years since it’s been clear

Sunflower (Glen Campbell) (1977)

Written by Neil Diamond and recorded by Glen Campbell, the upbeat tempo and feel-good lyrics of “Sunflower” would make you perk up in the dead of winter, let alone on a spring day. The song makes you want to get outside and whistle along.

Go Where You Wanna Go

(The Mamas & the Papas) (1965)

Though the song’s inspiration was basically a romantic spat, the end result was a form of freedom, like going for a drive with the windows down on a beautiful day after months of cabin fever. It’s a breath of fresh air punctuated by great harmonies.

A Beautiful

Morning

(The Young Rascals) (1968)

It’s a great feeling to wake up and find a beautiful day. Sunshine, blue skies, birds singing. No snow. No sleet. No ice. No shoveling. “Just take in some clean fresh air, boy.”

It’s a beautiful morning, ah

Each bird keeps singing his own song, so long

What a Wonderful World (Louis

Armstrong) (1967)

If you like to slow things down, this one is perfect. Louis Armstrong delivers a beautiful day. Must be spring.

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Good Morning Starshine (Oliver) (1969)

Not big on meaningful lyrics (it was the psychedelic era), Oliver’s version of “Good Morning Starshine” does at least convey happy thoughts. Not specifically about spring, but it still fits.

Good mornin’, starshine

The Earth says, “Hello”

You twinkle above us

We twinkle below

Lookin’ Out

My Back Door (Creedence

Clearwater Revival) (1970)

There are some songs that just make you feel good. Whenever you hear them, they brighten the mood. CCR’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” is one of them. The lyrics could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it’s always nice to “take a rest on the porch.”

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) (Simon &

Garfunkel) (1966)

Spring encourages people to get outside for a drive or a run or a walk, though maybe not across the Queensboro Bridge in New York City. If you do, you’ll be feelin’ groovy.

Hello lamppost, what’cha knowing

I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’

Ain’t you got no rhymes for me?

Doo-ait-n-doo-doo, feeling groovy

Moonlight Feels Right (Starbuck) (1975)

Maybe a little chilly for a springtime moonlight walk but when skies are clear and the air is fresh, it’s great for watching the stars.

My Girl

(The Temptations) (1964)

Yes, “My Girl” is truly a love song, but love and spring are entwined. Especially when you’ve “got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.”

I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day

When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May

Centerfield (John Fogerty) (1985)

After a long winter, there’s nothing like the sounds of the crack of the bat and a baseball popping a glove. When baseball season starts, spring has truly arrived. John Fogerty’s anthem displayed his love for the game and his desire to suit up because “there’s new grass on the field.”

Put me in, coach

I’m ready to play today

Look at me, I can be centerfield

The same dream of any little kid who ever put on a uniform. Springtime. Time to play ball.

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Tom Laub is The Sentinel Lifestyles editor.