"Happy" is a song originally recorded by British funk band Hi-Tension in 1984, titled as "You Make Me Happy". It was later covered by Surface for their self-titled album released in 1986. A hit single, Surface's version reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 2 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1987.[1][3]
"Happy" was also featured on Surface's compilation album Perfect 10 and was produced by members Bernard Jackson, David "Pic" Conley and David Townsend.
"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]
^ a b c"Chart History - HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021.
^ a bBreihan, 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...
^ a b"Surface - HOT 100 Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021.
^Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 542. ISBN1-904994-10-5.
^"Chart History - ADULT CONTEMPORARY". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
^"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.
^"New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 1, 1995. p. 31.
^"Billboard Magazine". Billboard Newspaper. August 1995.