Thanks to the person who started this topic. A lot of wonderful music that I would not immediately think of, and some, with all due respect to the Association, that I'd rather not.
Be that as it may, I have two nominations for your listening pleasure. First, everyone knows Marc Cohn for "Walking in Memphis," but I would submit that isn't close to his best tune. I would nominate this one:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-JZFxpuEnw
It evokes such powerful images of a neighbor, the father of a childhood buddy of mine, who was in love with cars.
The second is from Mark Knopfler, who is my favorite performer, hands down. It is a story more than a song, a description of the demise of the part of England where he grew up. The particulars are different (we never had coal mines in New England), but anyone who watched Hartford, or Holyoke or Lowell or Springfield fall into ruin will appreciate this song. It does not make me feel good. It makes me feel alive.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnrPq6ejZmg
If you'd like Knopfler songs that are "feelgood," just ask. I've got a bunch.