5 artists who put Toronto singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith in a good mood

TORONTO – Ron Sexsmith swears that the original title for his new album was “Featuring Pitbull.”

He actually didn’t know who the smooth-domed Miami pop star was at the time, having only seen his name in credits. Unfortunately, his label’s legal department did and ordered a change.

So Sexsmith’s latest album is instead called “Carousel One” — a reference to the baggage claim area at the main airport in Los Angeles, where he’s recorded his last few albums.

Perhaps that’s why the Toronto pop craftsman is suddenly so sunny?

“I didn’t even realize till we were making the record how upbeat it was,” marvelled the 51-year-old, who noted that “even sad songs put me in a good mood. They’re reassuring somehow.”

With that in mind, The Canadian Press asked Sexsmith for five artists who reliably brighten his day.

1. Bill Withers

Sexsmith covets everything issued by the soul great, but cites “Lovely Day” as a particularly blithe choice.

That song hit the charts eight years before Withers more or less walked away from the industry.

“I keep hoping he’ll make another record but it’s looking less likely,” lamented Sexsmith, who associates Withers with his childhood.

“I just remember his voice,” he added. “It was like hearing a song from God. It had so much dignity and comfort value in it.”

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2. The Beach Boys

Sexsmith singles out the high-UV blast of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” but he notes that the band’s timeless California pop often intermingled contradictory moods.

“I think one of the beautiful things about Brian Wilson, on a song like ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice,’ you’re aware of his past and that he had a sad childhood,” he explained.

“It has a heartbreaking element to it, because on the one hand it’s very innocent and hopeful, like it’s a prayer, but at the same time there’s this feeling that it’s not going to work out that well.”

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3. Andy Kim

Sexsmith and the reinvigorated “Sugar, Sugar” songwriter met at an award show around 2001 and eventually grew close.

“Andy’s one of my best friends, which is kind of weird in itself,” Sexsmith said. “I was a fan as a kid. I didn’t even know what he looked like.”

Sexsmith has become a fixture at Kim’s annual Toronto Christmas fundraising concert, and co-wrote a song on Kim’s new record “It’s Decided.”

“It’s amazing for him to make this record,” raved Sexsmith. “It’s a huge departure for him.”

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4. The Kinks

As far as his mod allegiances go, Sexsmith actually discovered and adored the Who first.

But it was the Kinks who sculpted his resolve to become a lifelong songwriter, and they still offer a perennial pick-me-up.

“I was driving in the car with my stepdad, and (the Kinks’) ‘All Day and All of the Night’ came on the radio. My head was blown,” he recalled. “It’s kind of like hearing something you never heard before.

“Ray Davies was a guy who made me feel like I could try to be a songwriter.”

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5. KC and the Sunshine Band

Specifically, “That’s the Way (I Like It),” the second of five U.S. chart-toppers for the Florida disco collective, puts a kick in Sexsmith’s step.

“It’s a guilty pleasure,” he said with a laugh. “I remember as a kid you’d see all those bands on ‘Midnight Special’ or ‘Soul Train.’ I certainly loved ‘That’s the Way (I Like It)’ and ‘Get Down Tonight.'”

He does mention twice that he doesn’t own any of the long-running group’s records — guilty pleasures being what they are — but claims to feel no shame, regardless.

“It was all feel-good music,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

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