Oh How Happy

Album: Happiness Is The Shades of Blue (1966)
Charted: 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the only hit for Shades of Blue, who were a white soul band from Detroit. The song came at a time when American soul music influenced the British music industry, creating a genre called Northern Soul. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • This was written by Edwin Starr, who is known for his 1970 hit "War." When he wrote this song, Starr was working for a Detroit record label that was eventually bought out by Motown.

Comments: 2

  • Stephen from Dallas, TexasOne of my all time favorites - Fall of 1966 - had just entered Stanford grad school. a special time for this Ga. boy.
  • Neil from Toronto, OnThe Jackson 5 did this song on their "third album". Jermaine sang lead.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Alice Cooper

Alice CooperFact or Fiction

How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?