Happy Birthday (Stevie Wonder song)

Last updated
This song has no relation to the song traditionally sung on people's birthdays.
"Happy Birthday"
Happy Birthday Single 7".jpeg
UK single picture sleeve
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album Hotter than July
B-side
ReleasedJune 26, 1981 (1981-06-26) [1]
Recorded1980
Genre
Length5:53
Label Motown
Songwriter(s) Stevie Wonder
Producer(s) Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Lately"
(1981)
"Happy Birthday"
(1981)
"Did I Hear You Say You Love Me"
(1981)

"Happy Birthday" is a song written, produced and performed by Stevie Wonder for the Motown label. Wonder, a social activist, was one of the main figures in the campaign to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. become a national holiday, and created this single to promulgate the cause. [2] The song has since become a standard for use during birthdays in general, particularly among African-Americans.

Contents

"Happy Birthday" was released as the fourth single of Wonder's Hotter than July (1980) album in June 1981. It was one of his most popular entries in the UK Singles Chart. [3] It was not released in the United States, but is still regarded as one of his signature songs.

Background

The song, one of many of Wonder's songs to feature the use of a keyboard synthesizer, features Wonder lamenting the fact that anyone would oppose the idea of a Dr. King holiday, where "peace is celebrated throughout the world" and singing to King in the chorus, "Happy birthday to you". The holiday, he proposes, would facilitate the realization of Dr. King's dreams of integration and "love and unity for all of God's children".

Wonder used the song to popularize the campaign, and continued his fight for the holiday, holding the Rally for Peace Press Conference in 1981. United States President Ronald Reagan approved the creation of the holiday, signing it into existence on November 2, 1983. The first official Martin Luther King Jr. Day, held the third Monday in January of each year, was held on January 20, 1986, and was commemorated with a large-scale concert, where Wonder was the headlining performer.

"Happy Birthday" was released as a single in several countries. In the UK, the song became one of Wonder's biggest hits, reaching number two in the charts in 1981. [3]

When Wonder performed the song at Nelson Mandela Day at Radio City Music Hall on July 19, 2009, he slightly changed the lyrics, "Thanks to Mandela and Martin Luther King!" in the second verse. Wonder also performed this song at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in London for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. [4]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [5] 31
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [6] 13
Ireland (IRMA) [7] 5
Israel (IBA) [8] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [9] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [10] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [11] 23
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [12] 8
UK Singles (OCC) [13] 2
West Germany (Official German Charts) [14] 18
Zimbabwe (ZIMA) [15] 20
Chart (1999)Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [16] 70

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI) [17] Gold250,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [18] Gold400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevie Wonder</span> American musician (born 1950)

Stevland Hardaway Morris, known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. A virtual one-man band, Wonder's use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments during the 1970s reshaped the conventions of contemporary R&B. He also helped drive such genres into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive and consistent, in addition to socially conscious statements with complex compositions. Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy who signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of 11, where he was given the professional name Little Stevie Wonder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Duke</span> 1977 single by Stevie Wonder

"Sir Duke" is a song composed and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. Released as a single in 1977, the track topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles charts, and reached number two in the UK Singles Chart, his joint biggest hit there at the time. Billboard ranked it as the No. 18 song of 1977.

<i>Hotter than July</i> 1980 studio album by Stevie Wonder

Hotter than July is the nineteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, originally released on September 29, 1980, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. Wonder primarily recorded the album in Los Angeles at Wonderland Studios, which he had recently acquired. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 1981. It was Wonder's most successful album in the UK, where it peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and produced four top ten singles. Music videos were produced for the album's first, third, and fourth singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isn't She Lovely</span> 1976 promotional single by Stevie Wonder

"Isn't She Lovely" is a song by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album, Songs in the Key of Life. The lyrics celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha Morris. Wonder collaborated on the song with Harlem songwriter and studio owner Burnetta "Bunny" Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money Don't Matter 2 Night</span> 1992 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"Money Don't Matter 2 Night" is a song by American musician Prince and the New Power Generation from their 1991 album, Diamonds and Pearls. Co-written with Rosie Gaines, the lyrics deal directly with money, poverty, and greed. Overall, the song is a smooth delivery with layered vocals by Prince. It peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 on the UK Singles Chart. The accompanying music video was directed by Spike Lee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Just Called to Say I Love You</span> 1984 song by Stevie Wonder

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" is a ballad written, produced, and performed by American R&B singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was a major international hit, and remains Wonder's best-selling single to date, having topped a record 19 charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebony and Ivory</span> 1982 single by Paul McCartney featuring Stevie Wonder

"Ebony and Ivory" is a song that was released in 1982 as a single by Paul McCartney featuring Stevie Wonder. It was issued on 29 March that year as the lead single from McCartney's third solo album, Tug of War (1982). Written by McCartney, the song aligns the black and white keys of a piano keyboard with the theme of racial harmony. The single reached number one on both the UK and the US charts and was among the top-selling singles of 1982 in the US. During the apartheid era, the South African Broadcasting Corporation banned the song after Wonder dedicated his 1984 Academy Award for Best Original Song to Nelson Mandela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours</span> 1970 single by Stevie Wonder

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered " is a soul song, by American musician Stevie Wonder, released in June 1970 as a single on Motown's Tamla label. It spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart. In the same year, the song was also released on the album Signed, Sealed & Delivered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Blaster (Jammin')</span> 1980 single by Stevie Wonder

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is a 1980 song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, Hotter than July (1980). It was a major hit, spending seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart, reaching number five on Billboard's pop singles chart in the fall of 1980 and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and number one in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Part-Time Lover</span> 1985 single by Stevie Wonder

"Part-Time Lover" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the first single from his twentieth studio album, In Square Circle (1985). The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, dance, and adult contemporary charts, becoming Wonder's final number one hit to date. The song's simultaneous chart successes made Wonder the first artist to score a number-one hit on four different Billboard charts. The song was also released as a special 12" version. Lyrically, it tells the story of a man who is cheating on his wife with a mistress, only to find out in the end that his wife is cheating on him as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Nelson Mandela</span> 1984 single by the Special A.K.A.

"Nelson Mandela" is a song written by British musician Jerry Dammers, and performed by the band the Special A.K.A. with a lead vocal by Stan Campbell. It was first released on the single "Nelson Mandela"/"Break Down the Door" in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Window in the Skies</span> 2007 single by U2

"Window in the Skies" is a song by Irish rock band U2 and is one of two new songs featured on their 2006 compilation album U218 Singles. It was released on 1 January 2007 as the album's second single. It was recorded in September 2006 at Abbey Road Studios in London and produced by Rick Rubin. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State of Independence</span>

"State of Independence" is a song written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As (song)</span> 1976 Stevie Wonder song

"As" is a song written and performed by American singer and musician Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album, Songs in the Key of Life. It reached number 36 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles chart. The song gets its name from the first word of its lyrics.

<i>Perfect Angel</i> 1974 studio album by Minnie Riperton

Perfect Angel is the second studio album by American singer Minnie Riperton, released on August 9, 1974 by Epic Records. The album contains the biggest hit of Riperton's career, "Lovin' You", which topped the U.S. Pop Singles chart for one week in early April 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamming (song)</span> 1977 song by Bob Marley & The Wailers

"Jamming" is a song by the reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers from their 1977 album Exodus. The song also appears on the compilation album Legend. The song was re-released 10 years later as a tribute to Bob Marley and was again a hit, as in the Netherlands, where it was classified in the charts for 4 weeks. In Jamaican patois the word jamming refers to a getting together or celebration. It is still receiving moderate airplay from adult alternative stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Ain't Gonna Stand for It</span>

"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" is the second single from Stevie Wonder's 1980 album, Hotter Than July. It reached number four on the Billboard R&B singles chart and number 11 on the Hot 100. It also hit number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is famous for Wonder's imitation of a seasoned country-and-western crooner and his inspiring drumming. Charlie and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band provide backing vocals on the song. It was covered by Eric Clapton in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Jubilee Concert</span> 2012 British music concert commemorating Queen Elizabeth IIs diamond jubilee

The Diamond Jubilee Concert was a British music concert and celebration held outside Buckingham Palace on The Mall in London on 4 June 2012. The concert was organised by Take That singer-songwriter Gary Barlow and was part of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

"Sing" is a song written by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow, of Take That, and British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, and performed by a number of artists assembled by Barlow from across The Commonwealth, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The track was released via digital download and CD single on 28 May 2012, and was performed as part of the Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert celebrations on 4 June 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love (Julio Iglesias song)</span> 1988 single by Julio Iglesias

"My Love" is a song performed by Spanish singer/songwriter Julio Iglesias, written by and featuring American musician Stevie Wonder. It was released as a single in 1988 from Iglesias' album, Non Stop. The duet was a top 5 hit in the UK and Ireland, reaching numbers 5 and 2, respectively. In the U.S., it reached No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 14 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

References

  1. "Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday".
  2. "MLK Day: Why on Monday and what was Stevie Wonder's role?". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  3. 1 2 "Stevie Wonder – Singles". Official Charts . 9 February 1966. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  4. "Stars perform at Diamond Jubilee concert". BBC News. 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  6. "Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  7. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Happy Birthday". Irish Singles Chart.
  8. "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995". www.ukmix.org. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  9. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Stevie Wonder" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  10. "Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. "Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday". Top 40 Singles.
  12. "Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday". Swiss Singles Chart.
  13. "Stevie Wonder: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  15. Chartsventes (2015-09-08). "World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries: Stevie WONDER". World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  16. "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  17. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Stevie Wonder; 'Happy Birthday')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  18. "British single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 12, 2021.