Happy (Surface song)

"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"
Single by Surface
from the album Surface
B-side	"Let's Try Again"
Released	February 1987[1]
Recorded	1986
Genre	Soul[2] synth-pop[2]
Length	3:57
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Bernard Jackson, David Conley, David Townsend
Producer(s)	Bernard Jackson
Surface singles chronology
"Let's Try Again" (1986) "Happy" (1987) "Lately" (1987)

Track listing

UK & US 7" single

1. "Happy" – 3:57
2. "Let's Try Again" – 3:55

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[4]	56
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[5]	24
US Billboard Hot 100[3]	20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[1]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1987)	Position
US Hot Crossover Singles (Billboard)[6]	20

MN8 version

"Happy"
Single by MN8
from the album To the Next Level
B-side	"I've Got a Little Something for You" (remix)
Released	3 July 1995 (1995-07-03)[7]
Genre	New jack swing
Length	4:10
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Bernard Jackson David Townsend David Conley
Producer(s)	Dennis Charles Ronnie Wilson
MN8 singles chronology
"If You Only Let Me In" (1995) "Happy" (1995) "Baby It's You" (1995)
Music video
"Happy" on YouTube

"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]

Track listings

• CD 1 and 12-inch

1. "Happy" (radio edit) – 4:10
2. "Happy" (Jodeci mix) – 4:11
3. "Happy" (2B3 Street mix) – 5:17
4. "I've Got a Little Something for You" (OJI remix) – 4:12

• CD 2

1. "Happy" (radio edit) – 4:10
2. "Happy" (dance mix) – 5:55
3. "Happy" (2B3 Pay Black mix) – 5:17
4. "I've Got a Little Something for You" (Bad Boy Main Pass mix) – 4:17

• Cassette single

1. "Happy" (radio edit) – 4:10
2. "I've Got a Little Something for You" (OJI remix) – 4:12

Charts

Chart (1995)	Peak position
Europe (European Dance Radio)[13]	18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[14]	33
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[15]	9
Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade)[16]	10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17]	11
UK Singles (OCC)[18]	8

References

1. "Chart History - HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021.
2. Breihan, 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...
3. "Surface - HOT 100 Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021.
4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 542. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
5. "Chart History - ADULT CONTEMPORARY". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
6. "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.
7. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 1, 1995. p. 31.
8. "Billboard Magazine". Billboard Newspaper. August 1995.
9. "Happy – MN8". AllMusic.
10. "From pop star to mystical figure in TV show". Kurrent music. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
11. "MN8 Soul Addict". Soul Addict.
12. Masterton, James (July 9, 1995). "Week Ending July 15th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
13. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. August 26, 1995. p. 15. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
14. "MN8 – Happy" (in French). Ultratop 50.
15. "MN8 – Happy" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
16. "MN8 – Happy" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
17. "MN8 – Happy". Top 40 Singles.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2023.