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"Happy"
Single by Surface
from the album Surface
ReleasedMarch 13, 1987
Recorded1986
Genre
Length3:57
Songwriter(s)Bernard Jackson, David Conley, David Townsend
Producer(s)Bernard Jackson
Surface singles chronology
"Let's Try Again"
(1986) 		"Happy"
(1987) 		"Lately"
(1987)

"Happy" is a song originally recorded by British funk band Hi-Tension in 1984, titled as "You Make Me Happy". In 1987, it was covered by Surface from their self-titled album. A hit single, Surface's version reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 16 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.[2] "Happy" was also featured on Surface's album Perfect 10 and was produced by Bernard Jackson, David "Pic" Conley and David Townsend.

Track listing

  1. Happy
  2. Let's Try Again

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 56
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[3] 24
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (1987) Position
US Hot Crossover Singles (Billboard)[6] 20

MN8 version

"Happy"
Single by MN8
from the album To the Next Level
B-side"I've Got a Little Something for You" (remix)
Released3 July 1995 (1995-07-03)[7]
GenreNew jack swing
Length4:10
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
  • Bernard Jackson
  • David Townsend
  • David Conley
Producer(s)
  • Dennis Charles
  • Ronnie Wilson
MN8 singles chronology
"If You Only Let Me In"
(1995) 		"Happy"
(1995) 		"Baby It's You"
(1995)
Music video
"Happy" on YouTube

"Happy" was covered by British R&B group MN8 and released in July 1995 as the third single from their debut album, To the Next Level (1995).[8][9] The song peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 20 in New Zealand, where it reached number 11. The track was also remixed by Dalvin DeGrate of Jodeci.[10][11]

Critical reception

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton described the song as "another immaculate slice of swingbeat pop and another smash hit to boot".[12]

Track listings

  1. "Happy" (radio edit) – 4:10
  2. "Happy" (Jodeci mix) – 4:11
  3. "Happy" (2B3 Street mix) – 5:17
  4. "I've Got a Little Something for You" (OJI remix) – 4:12
  1. "Happy" (radio edit) – 4:10
  2. "Happy" (dance mix) – 5:55
  3. "Happy" (2B3 Pay Black mix) – 5:17
  4. "I've Got a Little Something for You" (Bad Boy Main Pass mix) – 4:17
  1. "Happy" (radio edit) – 4:10
  2. "I've Got a Little Something for You" (OJI remix) – 4:12

Charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Europe (European Dance Radio)[13] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[14] 33
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[15] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade)[16] 10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] 11
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 8

References

  1. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (November 3, 2021). "The Number Ones: Surface's "The First Time". Stereogum. Retrieved December 19, 2023. ...their glossy synth-soul single "Happy," a cover of a song from the UK group Hi-Tension, reached #2 on the R&B charts...
  2. ^ "Surface: Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  3. ^ "Surface Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Surface Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Surface Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  6. ^ "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Hot Crossover Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. December 26, 1987. p. Y-27. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 1 July 1995. p. 31.
  8. ^ "Billboard Magazine". Billboard Newspaper. August 1995.
  9. ^ "Happy – MN8". All Music.
  10. ^ "From pop star to mystical figure in TV show". Kurrent music.
  11. ^ "MN8 Soul Addict". Soul Addict.
  12. ^ Masterton, James (9 July 1995). "Week Ending July 15th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  13. ^ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 26 August 1995. p. 15. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  14. ^ "MN8 – Happy" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  15. ^ "MN8 – Happy" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  16. ^ "MN8 – Happy" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  17. ^ "MN8 – Happy". Top 40 Singles.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
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