"Happy" is a song written by Michel Legrand and Smokey Robinson and first recorded by Bobby Darin.[1] The song was first released as a single by Bobby Darin on November 23, 1972, peaking #67 on the Billboard Hot 100,[2] it was his last single to hit the chart.[3] The song was included on his posthumous Motown LP Darin: 1936–1973.
| "Happy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Michael Jackson | ||||
| from the album Music & Me | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | July 10, 1973 (original release) 1983 (re-release) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:22 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Hal Davis | |||
| Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
A version of the song by Michael Jackson was featured on Jackson's 1973 album Music & Me. Robinson also recorded a version of the song, included on Robinson's 1975 album A Quiet Storm.
Background
editAccording to Robinson, the song was inspired by the film Lady Sings the Blues melody, which was originally composed by Michel Legrand. He explained, "I was looking at the movie one day, and I was listening to that melody, and I thought it was just such a beautiful melody, until I wanted to write some words for that melody, which I did, and I went and I sang them for Berry Gordy, and he was really upset because I didn't write them before he finished the movie so they could've been in the movie."[4]
Michael Jackson recording
editMichael Jackson recorded the song for the Motown label in 1973. The song featured on Jackson's album Music & Me. Its full title is "Happy (Love Theme from Lady Sings the Blues)", although Michael's version was never featured in the film, there was an instrumental version used, however, it was not featured on the soundtrack for Lady Sings the Blues. Michael Jackson's single was first released in Australia, backed by "In Our Small Way" (from the album Got to Be There).[5]
Jackson continued to perform the track in concert as late as 1977, citing it as one of his favorite songs.[6]
In 1983, the song was released as a single in the UK to promote Motown's 18 Greatest Hits compilation album, on which the song was included. The album and single share cover artwork. Upon its release, "Happy" (credited to Michael Jackson plus The Jackson 5) peaked at #52 on the British pop chart.[7][8]
Charts
edit| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 31 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 52 |
Notes
edit- ^ "www.45cat.com". 45cat.com. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 217.
- ^ "Cover versions of Happy (Love Theme from "Lady Sings the Blues") written by Smokey Robinson | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
- ^ Smokey Robinson Interview, Timeless Love, Exclusive Target Edition (audio track)
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Happy / In Our Small Way (Viny)". Discogs.com. 1973. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
- ^ Happy (Live in Venezuela). YouTube. Retrieved on February 14, 2014.
- ^ Halstead, p. 6
- ^ George, p. 39
References
edit- Halstead, Craig and Chris Cadman (2003). Michael Jackson: The Solo Years. Authors OnLine. ISBN 0-7552-0091-8
- George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.