Oh Happy Day
Encyclopedia
"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music
arrangement
of an 18th century hymn
. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching US #4 and UK #2 on the pop charts. It has since become a gospel music standard.
(based on Acts
8:35) set to an earlier melody (1704) by J. A. Freylinghausen. By the mid-19th century it had been given a new melody by Edward F. Rimbault
, who also added a chorus, and was commonly used for baptism
al or confirmation ceremonies in the UK and USA. The 20th century saw its adaptation from 3/4 to 4/4 time and this new arrangement by Hawkins, which contains only the repeated Rimbault refrain (all of the original verses being omitted).
, Inc. and was founded in 1967 by Hawkins and Betty Watson. Members were aged 17–25. As was common in gospel circles they produced and distributed their own LP: Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, recorded live in church. "Oh, Happy Day", featuring Dorothy Morrison
as lead vocalist, was picked up by a local DJ, KSAN's
Bob Mcclay, and subsequently released commercially. Aretha Franklin
had already brought strong gospel stylings to the pop charts with songs such as "Think" (1968), but a hymn had never “crossed over” before. "Oh Happy Day" soared into the US Top 5, winning a Grammy and massive sales worldwide.
list and won Hawkins a Grammy Award
for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1970 (performed by the Edwin Hawkins Singers). He is still active and is now an elder statesman for the Contemporary Gospel style which "Oh Happy Day" helped found.
Music:
In live performances and acoustic versions of the Nick Cave
song "Deanna" (1988), portions of "Oh Happy Day" are included, revealing the inspiration for Cave's song. The original version is on the album "Tender Prey
," and the acoustic version is on "B-Sides & Rarities" and the bonus album/single "Acoustic Versions From Tender Prey," which was rereleased in Australia in 1994 under the title "Stripped." George Harrison
has stated the song was a primary inspiration in the writing of his 1970 international hit single "My Sweet Lord
," and Hawkins' arrangement was covered by The Four Seasons in 1970 on their album "Half & Half
."
The song has appeared in many movies, but most notably Whoopi Goldberg
's "Sister Act 2", with then-15 year old Ryan Toby
singing lead. The song also appears in "Big Momma's House
," "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
," David LaChapelle's 2005 movie "Rize
," , Robin William's 2007 movie "License to Wed
.". , and in 2010 biographical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures: "Secretariat
".
In the United Kingdom
, it was played by Bruno Brookes
on BBC Radio 1
in the early hours of April 10, 1992 to herald the Conservative Party
's fourth consecutive election victory. It has also more recently appeared being sung by a London choir in an episode of the BBC TV drama Ashes to Ashes (Episode 3 - first aired in the UK on 21 February 2008). This song appeared in episode 8 of the 2006 Japanese TV drama "My Boss My Hero
".
Independently released on the LP Let us go into the house of the Lord (1968). Commercially released as a 7" single on Pavilion Records April 1969, then on Buddah Records
LP Oh Happy Day 1969.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
arrangement
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
of an 18th century hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching US #4 and UK #2 on the pop charts. It has since become a gospel music standard.
Origins
Edwin Hawkins’ funk style arrangement of the hymn "Oh, Happy Day" has a long pedigree: It began as a hymn written in the mid-18th century ("O happy day, that fixed my choice") by English clergyman Philip DoddridgePhilip Doddridge
Philip Doddridge DD was an English Nonconformist leader, educator, and hymnwriter.-Early life:...
(based on Acts
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles , usually referred to simply as Acts, is the fifth book of the New Testament; Acts outlines the history of the Apostolic Age...
8:35) set to an earlier melody (1704) by J. A. Freylinghausen. By the mid-19th century it had been given a new melody by Edward F. Rimbault
Edward Francis Rimbault
Edward Francis Rimbault , English organist and author. Some of his historical musical anthologies were published by the Percy Society.*Co-founded the Musical Antiquarian Society in 1840....
, who also added a chorus, and was commonly used for baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
al or confirmation ceremonies in the UK and USA. The 20th century saw its adaptation from 3/4 to 4/4 time and this new arrangement by Hawkins, which contains only the repeated Rimbault refrain (all of the original verses being omitted).
The Edwin Hawkins Singers
The Edwin Hawkins Singers began as The Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in ChristChurch of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
, Inc. and was founded in 1967 by Hawkins and Betty Watson. Members were aged 17–25. As was common in gospel circles they produced and distributed their own LP: Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, recorded live in church. "Oh, Happy Day", featuring Dorothy Morrison
Dorothy Combs Morrison
Dorothy Combs Morrison in an American gospel music singer. She was born in Longview, Texas, on May 8, 1945. The seventh child of ten, Dorothy showed early signs of her talents. She began singing at the age of 13 and released her first single "I Am Free", while singing with her siblings as 'The...
as lead vocalist, was picked up by a local DJ, KSAN's
KSAN
KSAN may refer to:* The ICAO airport code for San Diego International Airport* KSAN , a defunct radio station in San Francisco, California, United States* KSAN , a radio station licensed to San Mateo, California, United States...
Bob Mcclay, and subsequently released commercially. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
had already brought strong gospel stylings to the pop charts with songs such as "Think" (1968), but a hymn had never “crossed over” before. "Oh Happy Day" soared into the US Top 5, winning a Grammy and massive sales worldwide.
Legacy and influence
Hawkins' arrangement quickly became a “standard” and has been recorded by hundreds of artists. It was included on the RIAA Songs of the CenturySongs of the Century
The "Songs of the Century" list is part of an education project by the Recording Industry Association of America , the National Endowment for the Arts, and Scholastic Inc. that aims to "promote a better understanding of America’s musical and cultural heritage" in American schools...
list and won Hawkins a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1970 (performed by the Edwin Hawkins Singers). He is still active and is now an elder statesman for the Contemporary Gospel style which "Oh Happy Day" helped found.
Music:
In live performances and acoustic versions of the Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
song "Deanna" (1988), portions of "Oh Happy Day" are included, revealing the inspiration for Cave's song. The original version is on the album "Tender Prey
Tender Prey
Tender Prey is the fifth album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released in 1988 on Mute Records.Tender Prey contains Cave's 'signature' tune "The Mercy Seat", which he has subsequently played at almost all of his live performances since 1988, and was covered by Johnny Cash...
," and the acoustic version is on "B-Sides & Rarities" and the bonus album/single "Acoustic Versions From Tender Prey," which was rereleased in Australia in 1994 under the title "Stripped." George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
has stated the song was a primary inspiration in the writing of his 1970 international hit single "My Sweet Lord
My Sweet Lord
"My Sweet Lord" is a song by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison from his UK number one hit triple album All Things Must Pass. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna...
," and Hawkins' arrangement was covered by The Four Seasons in 1970 on their album "Half & Half
Half & Half
Half & Half is an American sitcom that aired on UPN from September 23, 2002, to May 15, 2006. The show focuses on the lives of two paternal half-sisters in their twenties who were estranged throughout their childhood, and are finally developing a close relationship...
."
The song has appeared in many movies, but most notably Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
's "Sister Act 2", with then-15 year old Ryan Toby
Ryan Toby
Ryan Toby is an American soul singer, attended St Stephens in Alexandria, VA, songwriter and producer, best known as the baritenor in the group City High. He and his wife have two sons....
singing lead. The song also appears in "Big Momma's House
Big Momma's House
Big Momma's House is a 2000 American crime comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell, written by Darryl Quarles and Don Rhymer, and starring Martin Lawrence as FBI agent Malcolm Turner. The majority of the film took place in Cartersville, Georgia, but the film was shot on location in California. The...
," "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps is a 2000 comedy film directed by Peter Segal. It is the sequel to the 1996 film The Nutty Professor and stars Eddie Murphy and Janet Jackson. Murphy plays not only the inept but brilliant scientist, Sherman Klump, as in the first film, but also most of Sherman's...
," David LaChapelle's 2005 movie "Rize
Rize
Rize is the capital of Rize Province, in northeast Turkey, on the Black Sea coast.-Etymology:The name comes from Greek or Ριζαίον , meaning "mountain slopes". In modern times, its name in Greek was usually Ριζούντα . Its Latin forms are Rhizus and Rhizaeum...
," , Robin William's 2007 movie "License to Wed
License to Wed
License to Wed is a 2007 romantic comedy film starring Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, and John Krasinski and directed by Ken Kwapis. The film was released in theaters on July 3, 2007.-Plot:...
.". , and in 2010 biographical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures: "Secretariat
Secretariat
Secretariat may refer to:* Secretariat , racehorse that won the Triple Crown in 1973* Secretariat , 2010 film about the racehorse...
".
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it was played by Bruno Brookes
Bruno Brookes
Bruno Brookes is a British radio presenter who became prominent in the 1980s.-Early life and career:...
on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
in the early hours of April 10, 1992 to herald the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
's fourth consecutive election victory. It has also more recently appeared being sung by a London choir in an episode of the BBC TV drama Ashes to Ashes (Episode 3 - first aired in the UK on 21 February 2008). This song appeared in episode 8 of the 2006 Japanese TV drama "My Boss My Hero
My Boss My Hero
is a Japanese TV drama broadcast by Nippon Television. It aired during the summer of 2006.-Synopsis:The show is about Makio Sakaki , also known as "Tornado", a 27-year-old yakuza, who wants to succeed his father at the head of the gang...
".
Other versions
In addition to the Hawkins Singers, the song has been recorded by a number of other artists:- Jack JonesJack Jones (singer)John Allan "Jack" Jones is an American jazz and pop singer. He was one of the most popular vocalists of the 1960s.-Overview:...
recorded the song on his 1969 album A Jack Jones Christmas. - Dee Felice Trio included the song on their 1969 album In Heat.
- Glen CampbellGlen CampbellGlen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
recorded the song for a primarily country/MOR audience, reaching the top 40 on three different Billboard charts in 1970. - Joan BaezJoan BaezJoan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
included the song on her 1971 album Carry It OnCarry It OnCarry It On is the 1971 soundtrack album by Joan Baez to the film of the same name. The film's title is taken from one of its songs, "Carry It On", which was written by Gil Turner.-Track listing:# "Oh Happy Day" – 3:43...
, and later her 1976 live album From Every StageFrom Every StageFrom Every Stage is a live double album recorded by Joan Baez on tour in the summer of 1975. The album includes live versions of songs from her then current album, Diamonds & Rust, as well as previous and original work...
. - BrooklynBrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
Christian pop band SonseedSonseedSonseed was a Catholic pop band formed at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1970s. The line-up included Sal Polichetti ; his then-wife Patricia Costagliola ; Frank Franco ; and Nicky Sciarra . Anne Lessing was also involved in the band from the very start...
included a version on their 1981 album First Fruit. - Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
included a live recording on her 1987 gospel album One Lord, One Faith, One BaptismOne Lord, One Faith, One BaptismOne Lord, One Faith, One Baptism is a 1987 gospel album recorded by Aretha Franklin, for Arista Records. Recorded at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, over the course of three nights , One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism became an album that combined the gospel talents of Aretha, her...
in which she sings the song in a duet with Mavis StaplesMavis StaplesMavis Staples is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress and civil rights activist who recorded with The Staple Singers, her family's band.-Biography:...
. - Club NouveauClub NouveauClub Nouveau is a contemporary R&B-pop band that was formed by record producer/performer Jay King in 1986 in Sacramento, California, subsequent to the breakup of the Timex Social Club. Other members of Club Nouveau included original members Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy, Samuelle Prater, and...
included the song on their 1992 album A New Beginning. The single charted at #45 on the US R&B ChartHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
. - Ryan TobyRyan TobyRyan Toby is an American soul singer, attended St Stephens in Alexandria, VA, songwriter and producer, best known as the baritenor in the group City High. He and his wife have two sons....
at the age of 15, performed the song in the 1993 motion picture Sister Act 2: Back in the HabitSister Act 2: Back in the HabitSister Act 2: Back In The Habit is a 1993 comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Directed by Bill Duke, and released by Touchstone Pictures, it is the sequel to the successful 1992 film Sister Act...
. - In 1995, The Sisters of GlorySisters of GloryThe Sisters of Glory was a US gospel band that included Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden, and Albertina Walker.After performing for the Pope John Paul II in Rome at the Vatican, the quintet released their only album entitled Good News in Hard Times, which scored at number...
, a gospel group that featured Thelma HoustonThelma HoustonThelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother...
, CeCe PenistonCeCe PenistonCeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
, Phoebe SnowPhoebe SnowPhoebe Snow was a fictional character created by Earnest Elmo Calkins to promote the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. The advertising campaign, based on a live model, using impressionistic techniques and a fictional character, was one of the first of its kind.-The advertising...
, Lois Walden, and Albertina WalkerAlbertina Walker-Early years:Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Ruben and Camille Coleman Walker. Her mother was born in Houston County, Georgia, and her father in Bibb County, Georgia. They moved to Chicago between 1917-1920 where they lived out their lives. Albertina had four siblings born in Bibb County...
, included the composition on their album Good News in Hard Times released on Warner BrosWarner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. - BeBe WinansBeBe WinansBenjamin "BeBe" Winans is a gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists.-The PTL Club:...
recorded the song on his 1997 self-titled solo debut album BeBe Winans. - It is the closing track on the live album Royal Albert Hall October 10, 1997Royal Albert Hall October 10, 1997Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997 is a live album by space rock group Spiritualized from their 1997 tour of the United Kingdom, recorded during an October show at the Royal Albert Hall in London...
, by SpiritualizedSpiritualizedSpiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
. - Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
recorded the song for his 2005 album Gospel Roots. - Queen LatifahQueen LatifahDana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
& Jubilation Choir perform the song on the 2009 album "Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music CelebrationOh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration"Some of secular music's top acts -- among them Queen Latifah, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone and 3 Doors Down -- take a walk on the spiritual side for Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration."...
". - Greg Buchanan recorded an instrumental harp rendition of the song on his album The Lighter Side.
- Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
recorded the song as well, it is Track #23 on Disc 2 of the collection Peace In The Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings.
Personnel
- Dorothy Combs MorrisonDorothy Combs MorrisonDorothy Combs Morrison in an American gospel music singer. She was born in Longview, Texas, on May 8, 1945. The seventh child of ten, Dorothy showed early signs of her talents. She began singing at the age of 13 and released her first single "I Am Free", while singing with her siblings as 'The...
- Lead Vocal - Edwin HawkinsEdwin HawkinsEdwin Hawkins is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel and R&B musician, pianist, choir master, composer and arranger. He is one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He are best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" , which was included on the Songs of the Century list...
- Choir Director, Arranger, Piano - Betty Watson - Co-Director, Soprano
- Choir Members - Walter HawkinsWalter HawkinsWalter Hawkins was an American gospel music singer, and a pastor. Hawkins was consecrated to the bishopic in 1992. He died at his home in Ripon, California, from pancreatic cancer....
, Tramaine Hawkins, Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Rueben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Ruth Lyons and 40 others. - Drums, bass and percussion - unconfirmed
- Produced by La Mont Bench.
- Recorded live 1967, Ephesian Church of God in ChristChurch of God in ChristThe Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
, Berkeley, CaliforniaBerkeley, CaliforniaBerkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
.
Independently released on the LP Let us go into the house of the Lord (1968). Commercially released as a 7" single on Pavilion Records April 1969, then on Buddah Records
Buddah Records
Buddah Records was founded in 1967 in New York City. The label was born out of Kama Sutra Records, an MGM Records-distributed label, which remained a key imprint following Buddah's founding...
LP Oh Happy Day 1969.