Happy (Rolling Stones song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Happy" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Rolling Stones | ||
| from the album Exile On Main Street | ||
| Released | 1972 | |
| Format | 7" | |
| Recorded | 1971 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3 min 04 s | |
| Label | Rolling Stones/Virgin | |
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Miller | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Rolling Stones singles chronology | ||
| "Tumbling Dice" (1972) |
"Happy" (1972) |
"Angie" (1973) |
"Happy" is the tenth song from the Rolling Stones' 1972 album Exile On Main St. Guitarist Keith Richards famously laid down the music with producer Jimmy Miller on drums while waiting for the other Stones to show up for work.
Credited to Richards and singer Mick Jagger, it was Richards who primarily composed "Happy" in late 1971. Written while living in exile in France, the first recordings were laid down in his basement recording studio with just producer Miller and saxophonist Bobby Keys (who played percussion.) Piano by Nicky Hopkins was added later, as were Jim Price's trumpet, slide guitar by Mick Taylor, and backing vocals by Jagger (who can clearly be heard near the end of the song.)
"Happy" is generally considered Keith's finest lead vocal performance. It was his only lead which was released as a single and managed to reach the Top 30 in the US. The song is very popular at live Stones shows (where Keith's performance acts as an interlude near the middle of the show, giving Mick a chance to rest. Some performances of the song in the early 1970s heavily featured Jagger during the chorus.) Live performances have been captured for the albums Love You Live and Live Licks.
