Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy
Encyclopedia
"Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy" is a song by Ray Davies
, released as a UK single by The Kinks
in 1965. As the follow-up to the number-one hit "Tired of Waiting for You
" (indeed their previous 3 singles all made the top 2), it was relatively unsuccessful, reaching number 11. It broke a run of what would have been thirteen consecutive top-ten singles in the UK.
Both sides of the single were recorded in December 1964 in the same session as the B-side and final overdubs for "Tired of Waiting for You".
Following the poor performance in the UK, Reprise
held off releasing the single in the U.S. They did release follow up "Set Me Free
" but when the next UK single "See My Friends
" was judged to be even less suitable, they flipped the "Ev'rybody..." single with "Who'll Be the Next in Line" as the A-side, releasing it four months after the UK version. Although only a moderate hit, reaching number 34, it was more successful than "See My Friends" which, when it was eventually released in the U.S. in September, failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100
(peaking at #111).
As well as being the U.S. B-side, "Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy" was included as the first track on side 2 of the U.S. version of the Kinda Kinks
album.
The song is featured in Stephen Frears' film, High Fidelity
, and appears on the accompanying soundtrack.
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
, released as a UK single by The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
in 1965. As the follow-up to the number-one hit "Tired of Waiting for You
Tired of Waiting for You
"Tired of Waiting for You" was a hit 1965 rock song by the English band The Kinks. It reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart and #6 in the USA. It was recorded late August 1964 at Pye Studios , London, with additional guitar overdub at IBC Studios, London on 29 December 1964. "Come On Now" was recorded...
" (indeed their previous 3 singles all made the top 2), it was relatively unsuccessful, reaching number 11. It broke a run of what would have been thirteen consecutive top-ten singles in the UK.
Both sides of the single were recorded in December 1964 in the same session as the B-side and final overdubs for "Tired of Waiting for You".
Following the poor performance in the UK, Reprise
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
held off releasing the single in the U.S. They did release follow up "Set Me Free
Set Me Free (The Kinks song)
"Set Me Free" is a song by Ray Davies, released first by The Kinks in 1965. Along with "Tired of Waiting for You", it is one of band's first attempts at a softer, more introspective sound...
" but when the next UK single "See My Friends
See My Friends
"See My Friends" is a song by The Kinks, written by the group's singer and guitarist, Ray Davies. Released in 1965, it reached #10 on the UK Singles Chart...
" was judged to be even less suitable, they flipped the "Ev'rybody..." single with "Who'll Be the Next in Line" as the A-side, releasing it four months after the UK version. Although only a moderate hit, reaching number 34, it was more successful than "See My Friends" which, when it was eventually released in the U.S. in September, failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
(peaking at #111).
As well as being the U.S. B-side, "Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy" was included as the first track on side 2 of the U.S. version of the Kinda Kinks
Kinda Kinks
Allmusic wrote that the album was uneven, but that "...what was first-rate was also highly memorable, and what wasn't also wasn't bad." They also made note of some maturing in Ray Davies's songwriting.-Side 1:# "Look for Me Baby" – 2:17...
album.
The song is featured in Stephen Frears' film, High Fidelity
High Fidelity (film)
High Fidelity is a 2000 American comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack and the Danish actress Iben Hjejle. The film is based on the 1995 British novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, with the setting moved from London to Chicago and the name of the lead character...
, and appears on the accompanying soundtrack.
Covers
- "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy" was covered by Queens of the Stone AgeQueens of the Stone AgeQueens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
on the limited edition UK and Japanese versions of their Songs for the DeafSongs for the Deaf-Production and release:In September 2002, Josh Homme explained the band's goals with the release of the album:In the same month, Nick Oliveri explained the band's aims in an interview with retail company HMV:...
album. - Queens of the Stone AgeQueens of the Stone AgeQueens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
also covered "Who'll Be the Next in Line" on their Stone Age Complications album. - "Who'll Be the Next in Line" was also covered by French singer Françoise Hardy in 1969