Heavy Makes You Happy

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"Heavy Makes You Happy" was a hit song for Bobby Bloom in 1971. The song was written by Jeff Barry and Bloom, while Barry produced it. It was also a hit for The Staple Singers. Other artists who have recorded it include, The Alabama State Troupers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Claudja Barry, The Solution and Keb' Mo'.

Contents

Bobby Bloom version

"Heavy Makes You Happy"
Song by Bobby Bloom
from the album The Bobby Bloom Album
A-side "Heavy Makes You Happy"
B-side "Give 'Em a Hand"
ReleasedNovember 27, 1970 (1970-11-27)
Label Polydor 2001-122
Songwriter(s) Barry - Bloom
Producer(s) Jeff Barry

Bobby Bloom's version was released in the UK by Polydor Records in 1970, in support of the album, The Bobby Bloom Album . [1]

A promo film for the song was aired on BBC1 Top of the Pops on Thursday 21 January 1971. [2]

Charts

"Heavy Makes You Happy" debuted in the Melody Maker Pop 30 chart at No. 28 for the week of January 30, 1971. [3] On the main UK singles chart, it peaked at No. 31 on January 31. [4]

Staple Singers version

"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)"
Single by The Staple Singers
from the album The Staple Swingers
B-side "Love is Plentiful"
ReleasedNovember 1970 (1970-11)
Recorded1970
Studio Rhythm recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Genre
Length2:58
Label Stax STA-0083
Songwriter(s) Jeff Barry, Bobby Bloom
Producer(s) Al Bell
The Staple Singers singles chronology
"Love Is Plentiful"
(1970)		"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)"
(1970)		"You've Got to Earn It"
(1971)

"Heavy Makes You Happy" was recorded by the Staple Singers. It was a hit on the Billboard and Cash Box charts. [6] Backed with a Bettye Crutcher, Bobby Manuel composition, "Love is Plentiful", [7] [8] the single was released on Stax STA 0083 in November, 1970. [9] [10]

Airplay

The song had some airplay at Top 40 station WQXI in Atlanta for the week of February 6, 1971. [11]

Charts

"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)" debuted at no. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on the week of February 6, 1971. It peaked at no. 27 on April 10 and spent a total of 12 weeks in the chart. [12] [13]

It debuted at no. 33 in the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart on the week of February 6. It peaked at no. 6 on April 3 and spent a total of 13 weeks in the chart. [14] [15]

It debuted at no. 93 in the Cash Box Top 100 chart on February 20, 1971. It peaked no. 24 on April 3, and spent a total of ten weeks in the chart. [16] [17]

Other versions

1970s

The Alabama State Troupers released a live version of the song in 1972. It was recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips and released in 1973, Claudja Barry recorded a version which was in 1978. [18]

1980s to 2000s

The Solution recorded a version, released in 2007, and Keb Mo released his live version in 2017. [19]

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References

  1. ↑ Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Bobby Bloom, Heavy Makes You Happy
  2. ↑ TV Pop Diaries - 1971, Thursday 21st January 1971
  3. ↑ Melody Maker, January 30, 1971 - Page 2 Melody Maker Pop 30 28 (-) HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY
  4. ↑ Official Charts - HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY by BOBBY BLOOM
  5. 1 2 Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 577. ISBN   0-452-26305-0.
  6. ↑ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
  7. ↑ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
  8. ↑ Discogs - The Staple Singers – Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) / Love Is Plentiful
  9. ↑ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
  10. ↑ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Make You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) by The Staple Singers
  11. ↑ Cash Box, February 6, 1971 - Page 24 New Additions to Radio Playlists – Primary Markets
  12. ↑ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 76 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending Feb. 6, 1971, THIS WEEK 97, LAST WEEK _, Weeks On Chart 1
  13. ↑ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Hot 100
  14. ↑ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
  15. ↑ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Soul Singles
  16. ↑ Cash Box, February 20, 1971 - Page 4 Cash Box TOP 100, 93, _, _
  17. ↑ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom, Cash Box)
  18. ↑ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS
  19. ↑ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS
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