Happiness

Album: All the Songs I Love (1964)
Charted: 31
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • There have been many songs calleed "Happiness," but this simple feel-good song became the theme song of zany comedian Ken Dodd, who recorded it in 1964. It was released July 23 that year backed by "All Of My Life."

    Although Dodd was a multi-instrumentalist, his musical career was limited to singing, and he released a fair number of singles in the 1960s including the massive hit "Tears."
  • This song was written by the American country star Bill Anderson - James William Anderson III - known professionally as Whisperin' Bill Anderson. In 2012, he performed in London where he told his audience that whenever you write a song, you have no idea where it might end up, including being recorded by the last person in the world you would think would do so.

    "Anybody here heard of a funny man named Ken Dodd," he asked, adding, "how tickled I am" that Dodd had recorded it."

    That phrase is straight out of the Dodd lexicon; one of his props was his famous tickling stick.

    It was never a hit in the United States, Anderson said.

    After bringing much happiness and laughter to millions for decades, Ken Dodd died at his home in Knotty Ash, the town of his birth, on March 11, 2018. The ten-years-younger Bill Anderson was still going strong at 80; the previous month it was revealed he was to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.