Oh Happy Day
"Oh Happy Day" | ||||
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Single by Edwin Hawkins Singers | ||||
from the album Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord | ||||
B-side | "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" | |||
Released | 1968 (April 1969, U.S.) | |||
Recorded | 1967 | |||
Studio | Ephesian Church of God in Christ, Berkeley, California, U.S. | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:59 | |||
Label | Pavilion/Buddah | |||
Songwriter(s) | Edwin Hawkins, based on 1775 hymn | |||
Producer(s) | Edwin Hawkins | |||
Edwin Hawkins Singers singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
"Oh Happy Day" on YouTube |
"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of the 1755 hymn[1] by clergyman Philip Doddridge. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching No. 4 on the US Singles Chart, No. 1 in France, Germany, and the Netherlands and No. 2 on the Canadian Singles Chart, UK Singles Chart, and Irish Singles Chart. It has since become a gospel music standard, selling over 7 million copies worldwide,[2][3] making it the second best-selling gospel song of all time.
The recording begins with a muted piano, drum, and bass, backing lead singer Dorothy Combs Morrison on the left-hand stereo channel, then alternates twice with a full-throated chorus that includes a large ensemble, rising to a crescendo with handclaps, and ending with a return to the muted sound as at the beginning. The track is notable for its clear sound given the powerful vocals and the modest equipment used to capture them. It was made at Hawkins' church, the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California.[4]
Origins
[edit]The gospel style arrangement of the hymn "Oh, Happy Day" by Edwin Hawkins 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 Doddridge (based on Acts 8:35) set to a 1704 melody by J. A. Freylinghausen.[5] By the mid-19th century it had been given a new melody by Edward F. Rimbault, who also added a chorus,[6] and was commonly used for baptismal 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, with all of the original verses being omitted.
The B-side of the single was Hawkins' own modern arrangement of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" originally written by Charles Wesley in 1740.[7][8]
Recording
[edit]Hawkins rearranged the hymn to give it more of a gospel feel, and devised a piano introduction which he said was influenced by the music of Sérgio Mendes. When the choir made the recording in 1967, lead singer Dorothy Morrison added some lyrical improvisations influenced by James Brown, which, she said, "made the song feel even more current".[9]
Legacy and influence
[edit]Hawkins' arrangement quickly became a “standard” and has been recorded by hundreds of artists. It was included on the RIAA Songs of the Century list and won Hawkins a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1970 (performed by the Edwin Hawkins Singers).[10]
In 2005, "Oh Happy Day" was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.[11]
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.[12] George Harrison has stated the song was a primary inspiration in the writing of his 1970 international hit single "My Sweet Lord."[13][14]
The song has appeared in many movies, beginning with the German film Seventeen and Anxious in 1970, but most notably Whoopi Goldberg's Sister Act 2,[15] with then 14-year-old Ryan Toby singing lead. The song also appears in Big Momma's House,[16] Nutty Professor II: The Klumps,[17] David LaChapelle's 2005 movie Rize,[18] Robin Williams’s 2007 movie License to Wed,[19] the 2010 biographical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures: Secretariat (played when Secretariat wins the Belmont), and Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman.
The Edwin Hawkins Singers' performance of the song at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival appears in the 2021 music documentary, Summer of Soul.[14]
The song is regularly performed by space-rock band Spiritualized as the last song of their live sets.[20]
LYRICS: O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) O When He washed (when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) He washed my sins away O Happy Day (Aw, Happy Day)
O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) O When He washed (when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) He washed my sins away O Happy Day (Oh, it's a Happy Day)
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray (fight and pray!) And live rejoicing every day (every day!)
O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) O When He washed (when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) He washed my sins away O Happy Day (Aww, Happy Day)
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray (fight and pray!) And live rejoicing every day (every day!)
O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day!) O Happy Day (O Happy Day!)
When I get to heaven (O Happy Day) I'm gonna bear the news, yeah (O Happy Day) I'm gonna walk around (O Happy Day) In my golden shoes, yeah (O Happy Day)
They tell me that the gates (O Happy Day) And streets are gold, yeah (O Happy Day) They tell me that the half (O Happy Day!) They tell me that the half (O Happy Day!) They tell me that the half (O Happy Day!) Ain't never been told (O Happy Day)
When I get to heaven (O Happy Day) I'm gonna jump and shout, y'all (O Happy Day) You know that I'm ready (O Happy Day) For that Happy hour, yeah (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day!) O Happy Day (O Happy Day!)
O Happy Day (O Happy Day) O Happy Day (O Happy Day) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) O When He washed (when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) He washed my sins away, Lord (O Happy Day) (Aww, It's a Happy Day) (O Happy Day) Oh Lord (O Happy Day) Good God (O Happy Day) O Yeah O Happy Day - OH HAPPY DAY!
Personnel
[edit]- Dorothy Combs Morrison – lead vocal
- Edwin Hawkins – choir director, arranger, piano
- Betty Watson – co-director, soprano vocals
- Choir Members – Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Rueben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Ruth Lyons and 40 others
- Drums, bass and percussion – unconfirmed (probably Bennie Bolton, drums, and Harley White, bass.)
- Recorded live at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ, Berkeley, California[5]
The song was also included on the album Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord (1968).[21] It was released as a 7-inch single on Pavilion Records in April 1969,[22] then on the Buddah Records album It's a Happy Day also in 1969.[23]
Chart performance
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
|
Awards
[edit]Other notable versions
[edit]- Joan Baez performed the song at Woodstock in 1969.[5]
- Glen Campbell covered it on his 1970 album Oh Happy Day. The single reached No. 45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, No. 7 Adult Contemporary,[5] and No. 44 in Canada.[47]
- Aretha Franklin included it on her 1987 album One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.[48][49]
- Club Nouveau recorded it for their 1992 album A New Beginning. The single charted at No. 45 on the US R&B Chart.[50]
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[51] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "Oh Happy Day - Hymn Lyrics & Music". YouTube.
- ^ West, Hollie I. (August 26, 1978). "Making Room for the Music of the Lord". Library of Congress. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Bill Carpenter. ""Oh Happy Day" – The Edwin Hawkins Singers (1968)" (PDF). Library of Congress. p. 2. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ W. K. McNeil (2013-10-18). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. p. 115. ISBN 9781135377007. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ a b c d Myers, Marc (2012-11-23). "When He Washed My Sins Away". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
- ^ P. Doddridge and E. F. Rimbault, "Happy Day", in Joseph Flintoft Berry and Charles H. Gabriel (1914), edd., Hymns of the Heart, New York: Methodist Book Concern, Hymn 134.
- ^ "Jesus, Lover of My Soul". The Army and Navy Hymnal/Hymns/Jesus, Lover of My Soul - Wikisource, the free online library. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
{{cite book}}
:|website=
ignored (help) - ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day / Jesus, Lover Of My Soul - Buddah - UK - 201048". 45cat.com. 1969-05-17. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ Myers, Marc (2016). Anatomy of a Song. Grove Press. pp. 149–152. ISBN 978-1-61185-525-8.
- ^ Hawkins Grammy Award 1970, Washington Post.
- ^ "The National Recording Registry 2005". The Library of Congress. October 25, 2006. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ Acoustic Version Video on YouTube
- ^ DeMain, Bill. "George Harrison’s 'My Sweet Lord' Copyright Case". Performing Songwriter. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
- ^ a b Greene, Bryan (June 2017). "Parks and Recreation: Harlem at a Crossroads in the Summer of '69". Poverty and Race Research Action Council.
- ^ Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit, IMDB Soundtrack Track Listing.
- ^ Big Momma's House, IMDB Soundtrack Track Listing.
- ^ Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, IMDB Soundtrack Track Listing.
- ^ "Various Artists, Flii Stylz, Dizee Rascal, Christina Aguilera, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, Dap & Planet Asia, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, The Caravans, Alice Ridley, Lil' C & Bloezarf - Rize - Music From the Original Motion Picture - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "License to Wed Soundtrack Track Listing". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "Spiritualized - Oh Happy Day (Live at the Royal Albert Hall) [Official Audio]". YouTube.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers* - Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord". Discogs. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers* - Oh Happy Day". Discogs. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers* - It's A Happy Day". Discogs. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh, Happy Day" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh, Happy Day" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh, Happy Day" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh, Happy Day" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh Happy Day" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Oh Happy Day". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Edwin Hawkins Singers The" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh, Happy Day" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. 1969-08-08. Archived from the original on 2016-06-11. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965 - 1989". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh, Happy Day". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Edwin Hawkins Singers: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Edwin Hawkins Singers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Edwin Hawkins Singers Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Edwin Hawkins Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ a b "Top 100 1969-06-07". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada" (PDF). Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahreschart 1969". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-09-22.
- ^ "Top 100 1969 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "TOPSINGLES1969" (PDF). Record Mirror. December 27, 1969. p. 15. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1969/Top 100 Songs of 1969". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "RPM100" (PDF). RPM. RPM. May 5, 1970. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Oh Happy Day (Live at New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, MI - July 1987)" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism - Aretha Franklin" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Club Nouveau - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "American single certifications – Edwin Hawkins' Singers – Oh Happy Day". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
Sources
[edit]- Original Seeds, CD liner notes by Kim Beissel
External links
[edit]- "Oh Happy Day" on YouTube, at the 2014 World Choir Games in Riga; solo by Walt Whitman
- Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day on YouTube