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1972 single by the Rolling Stones

"Happy" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1972 album Exile on Main St. Featuring guitarist Keith Richards on lead vocals, it was released as the second single from the album in June 1972, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 69 on 15 July 1972 and reached No. 22 on 19 August 1972.[2]

Overview

Credited to Jagger/Richards, "Happy" was written primarily by Keith Richards during the summer of 1971, at the villa Nellcôte in southern France, over the course of a single afternoon. According to Richards, "We did that in an afternoon, in only four hours, cut and done. At noon it had never existed. At four o`clock it was on tape."[3] The basic tracks were recorded in the Nellcôte basement, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, with Richards on bass, guitar and vocals, producer Jimmy Miller on drums, and saxophonist Bobby Keys on maracas.[4]

"Happy" was the only single by the band to chart on the Hot 100 on which Richards sang lead.[5]

Record World called it "the Stones at their best."[6]

In concert

Since 1972, Richards has often sung "Happy" in concert and it has become one of his signature tunes.[4] Performances of the song through 1978 also featured Jagger`s vocals during the chorus.

Concert renditions of the song appear on the albums Love You Live and Live Licks; the studio track has been released on the compilation albums Made in the Shade, Forty Licks and GRRR![7] The song also features on concert films and DVD box sets: Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (1974), Live at the Tokyo Dome (1990), Stones at the Max (1992), Four Flicks (2004), The Biggest Bang (2007), Some Girls: Live in Texas `78 (2011), Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live (2013) and L.A. Forum – Live In 1975 (2014).

Personnel

According to Exile on Main St. liner notes and authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon:[8][9]

The Rolling Stones

• Keith Richards – lead vocals, backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass
• Mick Jagger – backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Bobby Keys – baritone saxophone, tambourine
• Jim Price – trumpet, trombone
• Jimmy Miller – drums

Cover versions

• Spirit on the album Spirit of `76
• The Pointer Sisters on the album Priority
• Nils Lofgren on his 1977 album I Came to Dance
• Southside Johnny on his album Into the Harbour
• The Replacements live on tour in 1987[10]
• Sheryl Crow on the live album Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live from Central Park in 1999, featuring Keith Richards
• The Black Crowes live on tour in 2005[11]
• Elvis Costello live on tour in 2009/2010.[12]
• Lucinda Williams live 2009[13]

See also

• The Rolling Stones discography