Happy (Surface song) explained

"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.^{[2] [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.

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	20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	2

Year-end charts

MN8 version

"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
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[14]	9
Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade)[15]	10

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tom . Breihan . The Number Ones: Surface’s “The First Time. . November 3, 2021 . 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....
2. Chart History - HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118012513/https://www.billboard.com/artist/surface/chart-history/bsi/. 18 November 2021.
3. Surface - HOT 100 Chart History. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118012534/https://www.billboard.com/artist/surface/chart-history/hsi/. 18 November 2021.
4. Book: Roberts, David. 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited. London. 1-904994-10-5. 542.
5. Chart History - ADULT CONTEMPORARY. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117220150/https://www.billboard.com/artist/surface/chart-history/asi/. 17 November 2021.
6. 1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Hot Crossover Singles . December 26, 1987 . Billboard . 99 . 52 . Y-27. April 7, 2022.
7. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 31. 1 July 1995.
8. News: Billboard Magazine. Billboard Newspaper. August 1995.
9. Web site: Happy – MN8. AllMusic.
10. Web site: From pop star to mystical figure in TV show. Kurrent music. May 7, 2019. June 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021431/http://www.kurrentmusic.com/blogviewer.html?blog-guid=a44ab849-a49c-4e1e-bfef-cfa6e84417b5. dead.
11. Web site: MN8 Soul Addict. Soul Addict.
12. Web site: Masterton. James. Week Ending July 15th 1995. Chart Watch UK. 9 July 1995. 23 September 2021. James Masterton.
13. European Dance Radio Top 25. Music & Media. 26 August 1995. 15. 25 April 2023.
14. Web site: MN8 – Happy. 18 July 2021. Dutch Top 40. nl.
15. Web site: MN8 – Happy. 18 July 2021. MegaCharts. nl.