Good Things Happening
Encyclopedia
Good Things Happening is the first album released by the new lineup of pop group Brotherhood of Man
. This lineup consisted of Martin Lee
, Lee Sheriden
, Nicky Stevens
and Sandra Stevens
and was to be the main lineup of the group's history and would hold for the next ten albums.
label. It featured the singles "When Love Catches Up on You", "Lady", "Lady Lady Lady Lay" and "Spring of 1912". None of these found success in the UK, although the single "Lady" was a hit in Holland and Belgium
.
During recording sessions for the album in August 1974, member Lee Sheriden came up with a song called "Save Your Kisses for Me
". The others disliked the title and reworked it into "Oceans of Love". Dissatisfied with the changes, Sheriden shelved the song and it was ultimately left off the album. The song was later reused the following year.
The album was produced by the group's manager, Tony Hiller
. The songs on the album were of a more diverse nature to the pure pop the group would later become famous for, with themes including a song about prostitution
("Lady"), open air sex ("Movin' With Susan") and a real-life tragedy ("Spring of 1912"). Many tracks featured a soul-based sound, although pure pop was present on songs such as "Do-Be-Do" and "Have You Been a Good Boy". Other notable tracks included a cover of The Hollies
' "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
", which showcased the group's harmonies and was a song they'd performed in their live shows.
A reissue of Good Things Happening was released on Compact disc for the first time in May 2009.
Side Two
CD Bonus tracks:
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
. This lineup consisted of Martin Lee
Martin Lee (singer)
Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
, Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
, Nicky Stevens
Nicky Stevens
Nicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
and Sandra Stevens
Sandra Stevens
Sandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
and was to be the main lineup of the group's history and would hold for the next ten albums.
Background
This album was released in September 1974 on the DawnDawn Records
Dawn Records was a subsidiary of Pye Records. Active from 1970 to 1975, it was set up largely as Pye's 'underground and progressive' label, a rival of the EMI and Phonogram equivalents, Harvest and Vertigo....
label. It featured the singles "When Love Catches Up on You", "Lady", "Lady Lady Lady Lay" and "Spring of 1912". None of these found success in the UK, although the single "Lady" was a hit in Holland and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
During recording sessions for the album in August 1974, member Lee Sheriden came up with a song called "Save Your Kisses for Me
Save Your Kisses For Me
"Save Your Kisses for Me" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed for the United Kingdom by Brotherhood of Man in The Hague, Netherlands. The lyrics and music were written by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden, and Martin Lee, the latter two being members of the band...
". The others disliked the title and reworked it into "Oceans of Love". Dissatisfied with the changes, Sheriden shelved the song and it was ultimately left off the album. The song was later reused the following year.
The album was produced by the group's manager, Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
. The songs on the album were of a more diverse nature to the pure pop the group would later become famous for, with themes including a song about prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
("Lady"), open air sex ("Movin' With Susan") and a real-life tragedy ("Spring of 1912"). Many tracks featured a soul-based sound, although pure pop was present on songs such as "Do-Be-Do" and "Have You Been a Good Boy". Other notable tracks included a cover of The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
' "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
", which showcased the group's harmonies and was a song they'd performed in their live shows.
A reissue of Good Things Happening was released on Compact disc for the first time in May 2009.
Track listing
Side One- "Join the Party" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (2.52)
- "Welcome Sunday Morning" (Hiller / Sheriden) (3.22)
- "Lady Lady Lady Lay" (Hiller / Groscolas / Jourdan) (2.54)
- "When Love Catches Up on You" (Hiller / Sheriden) (2.55)
- "Spring of 1912" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (2.55)
- "Lady" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (3.25)
Side Two
- "Movin' with Susan" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (2.30)
- "Every Day of My Life" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (3.15)
- "Do-Be-Do" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (2.43)
- "Good Things Happening" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee / Poole) (3.35)
- "Have You Been a Good Boy" (Hiller / Sheriden / Lee) (3.01)
- "He Ain't Heavy, He's My BrotherHe Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
" (Russell Scott) (4.22)
CD Bonus tracks:
- "How Can You Love" (3.09)
- "Love's Bound to Get Ya" (3.18)
Personnel
- Martin LeeMartin Lee (singer)Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
: Lead vocals on "Lady Lady Lady Lay", "Lady", "Do-Be-Do". Joint lead vocals on "Good Things Happening" - Lee SheridenLee SheridenLee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
: Lead vocals on "Join the Party", "Welcome Sunday Morning", "Movin' with Susan" - Nicky StevensNicky StevensNicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
: Lead vocals on "When Love Catches Up on You". Joint lead vocals on "Good Things Happening", "Have You Been a Good Boy" - Sandra StevensSandra StevensSandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
: Lead vocals on "Every Day of My Life". Joint lead vocals on "Have You Been a Good Boy".
- Tony HillerTony HillerTony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
: Producer - Colin FrechterColin FrechterColin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard player, and vocalist.Colin has worked with The Four Tops, The Bay City Rollers Colin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard...
: Arranger