Happy (Rolling Stones song)

"Happy" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1972 album Exile on Main St. Featuring guitarist Keith Richards on lead vocals, it was released as the second single from the album in July 1972, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 69 on 15 July 1972 and reached No. 22 on 19 August 1972.[1]

"Happy"
Single by the Rolling Stones
from the album Exile on Main St.
B-side"All Down the Line"
ReleasedJuly 15, 1972 (1972-07-15)
RecordedJuly–November 1971
StudioVilla Nellcôte, France
GenreRock and roll
Length3:05
LabelRolling Stones
Songwriter(s)Jagger/Richards
Producer(s)Jimmy Miller
The Rolling Stones singles chronology
"Tumbling Dice"
(1972)		 "Happy"
(1972)		 "Angie"
(1973)
Alternative cover
Japanese picture sleeve for "Happy"

Overview

Credited to Jagger/Richards, "Happy" was written primarily by Keith Richards during the summer of 1971, at the villa Nellcôte in southern France, over the course of a single afternoon. According to Richards, "We did that in an afternoon, in only four hours, cut and done. At noon it had never existed. At four o'clock it was on tape."[2] The basic tracks were recorded in the Nellcôte basement, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, with Richards on bass, guitar and vocals, producer Jimmy Miller on drums, and saxophonist Bobby Keys on maracas.[3]

"Happy" was the only single by the band to chart on the Hot 100 on which Richards sang lead.[4]

Record World called it "the Stones at their best."[5]

In concert

Since 1972, Richards has often sung "Happy" in concert and it has become one of his signature tunes.[3] Performances of the song through 1978 also featured Jagger's vocals during the chorus.

Concert renditions of the song appear on the albums Love You Live and Live Licks; the studio track has been released on the compilation albums Made in the Shade, Forty Licks and GRRR![6] The song also features on concert films and DVD box sets: Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (1974), Live at the Tokyo Dome (1990), Stones at the Max (1992), Four Flicks (2004), The Biggest Bang (2007), Some Girls: Live in Texas '78 (2011), Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live (2013) and L.A. Forum – Live In 1975 (2014).

Personnel

According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon:[7]

The Rolling Stones

Additional musicians

Cover versions

See also

Notes
  1. Margotin and Guesdon are uncertain who contributed tambourine, but suggest it was likely Jagger.[8]

References
  1. Elliott, Martin (2002). The Rolling Stones: Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2002. Cherry Red Books. p. 189. ISBN 1-901447-04-9.
  2. Richards, Keith (2011). "Chapter 7". Life. Little, Brown and Company.
  3. Appleford, Steve (2000). The Rolling Stones: Rip This Joint: The Story Behind Every Song. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 119. ISBN 1-56025-281-2.
  4. John Hugar (2014-12-18). "10 Things You Might Not Know About Keith Richards". Uproxx.com. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  5. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. July 8, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  6. Zentgraf, Nico. "The Complete Works of the Rolling Stones 1962-2008". Nzentgraf.de. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  7. Margotin & Guesdon 2016, pp. 383–384.
  8. Margotin & Guesdon 2016, p. 383.
  9. "The Replacements Setlist at Lisner Auditorium, Washington". Setlist.fm.
  10. "Black Crowes covering the Rolling Stones Happy". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  11. "Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes "Happy" Woodinville, WA. 8/23/09". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  12. "Lucinda Williams Wedding encore Rolling Stones' "Happy" First Avenue 9-18-09". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

Sources
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