"Makin' Happy" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Crystal Waters | ||||
from the album Surprise | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Genre | House | |||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | The Basement Boys | |||
Crystal Waters singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Makin' Happy" on YouTube |
"Makin' Happy" is a song by American singer and songwriter Crystal Waters, released in 1991 by Mercury and A&M as the second single from her debut studio album, Surprise (1991). It was the follow-up to Waters' hugely successful song "Gypsy Woman" and achieved moderate success in European countries. In the US, the song spent one week at number-one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and it also reached the top of the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart. In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at number 18.
Alex Henderson from AllMusic complimented the song as a "highly addictive and enjoyable house/neo-disco fare". [1] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as "a frenetic and hypnotic jam". [2] He remarked that it "maintains a similar deep house vibe [as her first single]. Waters more than proves her songwriting talent here, while her unique feline vocals will test some and delight others." [3] Andy Kastanas from The Charlotte Observer declared it as "a housy tune that's bound to, well, make you happy, what else?" [4] Push from Melody Maker felt it "would certainly do well as a follow-up. You might mistake it for Flowered Up's "Take It" until the oompah-bumped house beats and Crystal's jazzy vocals weigh in. The lyrics are basically all about having sex, when, where and how you fancy." [5]
Machgiel Bakker from Music & Media called it "pop-house". [6] An editor also commented in an album review, "Just repeat the words 'Makin' Happy' endlessly and you'll get a good flavour of 'Gypsy Woman, Part II'." [7] James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update wrote that "the strange nasally pitched girl is less Eartha Kitt-like for her follow-up to 'Gypsy Woman', a jauntly trotting repetitive canterer with some "ooh wee ooh wee ooh" (and a guy's "so happy") instead of all the "la da dee, la dee da"." [8] Stuart Maconie from New Musical Express declared it as "a spectacularly bangin' tune". [9] Jonathan Bernstein from Spin described it as "ebullient". [10]
|
|
Chart (1991) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [11] | 21 |
Canada Dance/Urban ( RPM ) [12] | 1 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [13] | 33 |
Europe (European Dance Radio) [14] | 5 |
France (SNEP) [15] | 17 |
Ireland (IRMA) [16] | 22 |
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [17] | 9 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [18] | 2 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [19] | 27 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [20] | 22 |
UK Singles (OCC) [21] | 18 |
UK Dance ( Music Week ) [22] | 9 |
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [23] | 1 |
US Dance Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [24] | 1 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [25] | 63 |
US Radio Songs ( Billboard ) [26] | 58 |
Crystal Waters is an American house and dance music singer and songwriter, best known for her 1990s dance hits "Gypsy Woman", "100% Pure Love", and 2007's "Destination Calabria" with Alex Gaudino. All three of her studio albums produced a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked her as one of the most successful dance artists of all time. Her accolades include six ASCAP Songwriter awards, three American Music Award nominations, an MTV Video Music Award nod, four Billboard Music Awards and twelve No. 1 Billboard Dance Chart hits. Her hit song "Gypsy Woman” has been sampled hundreds of times. Though her music sales have yet to be re-certified, Waters has sold over 7 million records worldwide.
"Who Is It" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic Records on July 13, 1992, as the fifth single from Jackson's eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991). The song was written and composed by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and Bill Bottrell. The song's lyrics pertain to despair over being left by someone you love; some critics noted a comparison to the lyrics of the song to Jackson's single "Billie Jean" from the album Thriller. As part of the promotion for the song, two music videos were released in 1992. The song was not performed by Jackson on any of his world concert tours. He did, however, perform a small segment of the song in his interview with Oprah Winfrey in early 1993.
"Gett Off" is a song written and produced by American musician Prince, released in June 1991 as the lead single from his thirteenth album, Diamonds and Pearls (1991). The album was his first with his backing band the New Power Generation. "Gett Off" was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number four in the United Kingdom; the maxi-single was too long and pricey to appear on the UK Singles Chart, so this release was classified as an album, peaking at number 33 on the UK Albums Chart in August 1991.
"Get Ready for This" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch music group 2 Unlimited. It was released in 1991 as the lead single from their debut album, Get Ready! (1992). Originally, the single was produced as an instrumental, titled the "Orchestral Mix". It became a hit and conscious of their popularity, Wilde & De Coster wanted a more accessible, formatted formula for their project to grow. Ray was then asked to write lyrics and add a rap to the track. On Ray Slijngaard's suggestion, Anita Doth joined as the female vocalist.
"Twilight Zone" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited, released in January 1992 via various labels as the second single from the act's debut studio album, Get Ready! (1992). The UK release of the single was the first 2 Unlimited single to include the vocals of Anita Doth, as they had not been featured on their breakthrough hit "Get Ready for This". However, Ray Slijngaard's rap verses were once again removed. The instrumental "Rave" version of the song sounds different from the original "Not Enough" version, with a more hi-NRG style with more bass and added cowbells.
"I'm Too Sexy" is a song by British pop band Right Said Fred, released in July 1991 as their debut single from their first album, Up (1992). The song was written by band members and brothers Fred Fairbrass and Richard Fairbrass with Rob Manzoli and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, it topped the charts in seven countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. In 2023, Billboard magazine ranked "I'm Too Sexy" among the 500 best pop songs of all time.
"You're Makin' Me High" is the lead single from American singer Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets (1996). The mid-tempo song represents a joint collaboration between the Grammy Award-winning producer Babyface and Bryce Wilson. The beat of the song was originally for singer-songwriter Brandy, with Dallas Austin pegged to write a lyric to override; however, Braxton had Babyface write lyrics for the song. It was ultimately issued in the United States as a double A-side with "Let It Flow", the airplay hit from the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale.
"Tripping on Your Love" is a song recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It appears on the group's fifth studio album, Pop Life (1991), and was released as the album's fourth single in the UK and the first single in the United States. The track was co-written and produced by Youth. This is the last single released featuring member Jacquie O'Sullivan and the group as a trio.
"All Woman" is a song recorded by British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield for her second album, Real Love (1991). The song was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released by Arista as the second single on 9 December 1991 in the United Kingdom and in early 1992 in the rest of the world. The song reached number twenty in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it peaked at number fifty-six on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty-one on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart. The music video was directed by Nick Brandt. The single's B-side included previously unreleased track, "Everything Will Get Better." The latter was remixed by Danny Tenaglia and reached number thirty-six on the Hot Dance Club Songs.
"Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" (also released as "Gypsy Woman (La da dee la da da)") is a song by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters from her debut studio album, Surprise (1991). Written by Neal Conway and Waters, the song was released on April 3, 1991, as the lead single from the album. It is famous for its "la da dee, la dee da" refrain and its often-sampled keyboard riff, and is now widely regarded as one of the biggest classics of house music, being remixed several times since its release.
Surprise is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters released on June 25, 1991 by Mercury Records. It includes the hit singles "Makin' Happy", "Surprise" and the top ten hit "Gypsy Woman ", which peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Don't Talk Just Kiss" is a song by English pop trio Right Said Fred, released as the second single from their debut album, Up (1992), in November 1991. The song features uncredited duet vocals by American R&B and dance music singer Jocelyn Brown, although she appears in the accompanying music video, which was directed by James Le Bon. It reached number three in the United Kingdom in December 1991 and became a top-10 hit in several international territories. The single was released in the United States in February 1992, peaking at number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is the debut solo single of Australian singer Gina G. The song was written by British songwriters Simon Caldwell and Steve Rodway, and released on 25 March 1996 as the first single from her debut album, Fresh! (1997). It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart almost two months later and was also a number-one hit in Israel. In the US, the song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was the United Kingdom's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996, held in Oslo, Norway, where it finished in eighth place. It was successful on the charts in Europe, Australia and the US, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
"100% Pure Love" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Crystal Waters from her second studio album, Storyteller (1994). It was released on April 11, 1994 by Mercury and A&M (UK), as the album's lead single. The song was a hit in many countries, reaching the top 20 in Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is certified platinum in Australia and gold in the US. In 1995, it was awarded the prize for Top ASCAP Dance Song. And its accompanying music video, directed by Marcus Nispel, was nominated for Best Dance Video at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.
"Peace" (also known as "Peace (In the Valley)") is a song by American singer Sabrina Johnston, originally released in the US on JBR Records in May 1991. It was released as the first single from her debut studio album, Peace (1992). The single reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 30 in Australia, Ireland, Italy and Sweden. It was written and produced by Johnston with help from her husband Ken Johnston. She told in a 1991 interview, that she wrote the song during the Gulf War. "I wanted to create something positive", she said. In 1992, Johnston appeared on the Red Hot Organization's dance compilation album, Red Hot + Dance, contributing a new remix of "Peace", the Nu-Mix, to raise awareness and money in support of the AIDS epidemic. Richard Heslop directed its music video.
"Change" is a song by British singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her second album, Real Love (1991). The song was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released as the lead single on 7 October 1991. "Change" was remixed by Frankie Knuckles and Driza Bone.
"LSI (Love Sex Intelligence)" is a song by Scottish band the Shamen with vocals by Jhelisa Anderson. Having been remixed by the Beatmasters, it was the first single taken from their fifth album, Boss Drum (1992). Released in July 1992, it achieved success in Finland, where it reached number one, Sweden, where it peaked at number four, and the United Kingdom, where it rose to number six. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "LSI" peaked at number 16. Its music video was directed by Mathew Glamorre. The CD single also contains a remix of "Make It Mine", a song from the En-Tact album.
"Oh La La La" is a song by German Eurodance group 2 Eivissa. It is produced by "Team 33" and was released on 6 June 1997, as their debut and lead single from the album of the same name. The song is their most commercially successful single to date, topping the chart in Spain and peaking at number two in Italy. It also reached number 13 in the United Kingdom and number 19 in Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Oh La La La" peaked at number 32 in October 1997. The song interpolates the hook and guitar riff from Crystal Waters' 1991 song "Gypsy Woman".
"Ghetto Day" and "What I Need" are two songs by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters, issued as a double A-side in June 1994 as the second single from her second studio album, Storyteller (1994). It was produced by the Basement Boys and released by Mercury Records, A&M Records and A&M's division AM PM. Waters and Sean Spencer wrote "Ghetto Day", which is a funk song that contains samples from The 5th Dimension's song "Stoned Soul Picnic" and Flavor Unit's "Flavor Unit Assassination Squad". According to Spin, the track's lyrics talk about "those balmy, front-stoop, 40-swinging summer afternoons." The single's second A-side, "What I Need", is a house track written by Waters, Doug Smith and Richard Payton.
"Relax" is a song by American singer-songwriter Crystal Waters from her second studio album, Storyteller (1994). It was released in 1995 as the fourth and last single from the album and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. In the UK, it reached number 37. A black-and-white music video was also produced to promote the single, directed by German director Marcus Nispel.