Happy Talk

Album: Women And Captains First (1982)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Rogers & Hammerstein standard from the musical South Pacific was a surprise UK #1 for Captain Sensible, who was still the bass player with the Punk group Damned when it topped the chart. He originally found the track in his parents' album collection and recorded it only as an album filler. He admitted to Q Magazine that "I was exceedingly drunk when I recorded that vocal." He didn't want it released as a single but when his record company tricked him into believing another artist was intending to release the same song, Captain Sensible relented. It outsold every Damned single released before or since and is as far removed from the Damned as could be.
  • The song made a leap from #33 to #1, a record jump until it was beaten by DJ Otzi, whose single "Hey Baby (Uhh, Ahh)" leaped from #45 to #1.
  • This was the 5th UK #1 for Rodgers and Hammerstein and the first for the songwriting legends since Gerry & The Pacemakers cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone " topped the charts 19 years previously in 1963.
  • Captain Sensible (born Raymond Burns) remained with the Damned until 1984. He enjoyed one other Top 20 single in the UK, a double-A-side "Glad It's All Over"/ "Damned On 45." the latter was a medley of 15 Damned songs plus "Happy Talk."
  • The Damned were one of the UK's first punk bands. In 1976 they recorded the first British punk record, "New Rose." Their biggest hit came in 1986 after Captain Sensible left the group when their cover of Barry Ryan's "Eloise" reached #3. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Chris from Bristol, EnglandThe good captain had one other hit - 'Wot'. 'Glad It's All Over' remains a personal favourite, a gorgeous tune.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.