Oh Happy Day
Don Howard Lyrics
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No more troubles and no skies are gray-ay
Ever since you said those words to me
Doo-doom, dah-doo-dad-doo-dah-doo-doo
You said you loved me, I know it's tru-ue
My life's complete, dear, for now I have you-ou
Oh, happy day-ay for-o-o-or lucky me
You said you loved me, I know it's tru-ue
My life's complete, dear, for now I have you-ou
Oh, happy day-ay for-o-o-or lucky me
Doo-doom, dah-doo-dad-doo-dah-doo-doo
Oh, happy day for-o-o-or lucky me-ee
These lyrics describe a feeling of pure joy and happiness that the singer is experiencing as a result of someone professing their love for them. The phrase "oh happy day" is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the overwhelming sense of happiness that the singer is feeling. The singer notes that since hearing these words, there are no more troubles and the skies are no longer gray. This love has brought light into the singer's life and the world seems like an incredible place.
The verse is structured in rhyming couplets which creates a joyful, lighthearted tone. The melody of the song itself adds to this sense of joy, taking on an upbeat, almost jubilant quality. The repetition of the phrase "you said you loved me, I know it's true" reinforces the sincerity of this love and how it has touched the singer's heart. It's clear that this person has had a profound impact on the singer and made their life complete.
Overall, the song is a celebration of love and how it can bring boundless happiness into our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is shinin', oh, happy day-ay
I feel joy and happiness in my heart because the sun is shining bright and lighting up my world.
No more troubles and no skies are gray-ay
All my difficulties and worries have vanished, and there is no sign of gloominess or despair around me.
Ever since you said those words to me
After you confessed your true feelings to me and showed me your love, my life changed for the better.
Doo-doom, dah-doo-dad-doo-dah-doo-doo
These are happy sounds that reflect the joy and excitement that I feel inside me.
You said you loved me, I know it's tru-ue
I believe that your words of love are sincere and that you genuinely care for me.
My life's complete, dear, for now I have you-ou
Now that you are with me, my life feels complete, and my heart is brimming with happiness and contentment.
Oh, happy day-ay for-o-o-or lucky me
It's a fortunate day for me, and I feel joyful and lucky to have you in my life.
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jerryrasmussen6572
I have a powerful connection with this recording. Like Down Howard, I was born in 1935. In 1953 when this record came out, I was learning guitar and writing songs. The fact that such a poorly recorded, simple song, in no fidelity could become a number 4 hit on the Billboard charts was revolutionary. It pitted me and all my friends against the establishment, including my two older sisters who were an ancient 21 and 23. I still have my 45 and treasure it.
@stewartfenton7660
Great to hear your story Jerry.
@solohoh
From my 1953 diary (I was 12) : One weekend in 1953 my parents and I went to visit WWII Navy friends in Long Island. It was my first experience with a traffic jam -- we waited for hours (and got home late) in the parkway congestion. During the ride home I remember a late night disc jockey introducing the 1953 record “The Sun is Shining, Oh Happy Day” by saying “it was so bad, he would eat his shoe if it ever got popular.” I kept track of that song and it did become an international hit without any initial support from the music industry.
@stewartfenton7660
I had this on a 78 which was lost when my caravan burned down in the late 80's. I never heard of Don Howard before, and had no idea of his history till now. I just started a Don Gibson playlist, so was thinking of other Dons to put on it. Got Don and Phil(Sweet Dreams, a Gibson song) and Don French, and now Don Howard. Bedtime now, I'll think of more tomorrow.
@cliffford
Also covered by Dion on his Donna the Prima Donna album, strangely titled "Oh Happy Days." Composer was credited as D. Bridges, a different name from the other 3 individuals generally associated with the song's origin.
@jerryrasmussen6572
When I brought this record home, it caused an uproar in the house. I was surprised because it was led by my two older sisters, four and six years older than me. They were barely out of their bobby sox era. My oldest sister, Marilyn, loved Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra. Don Howard was no Mel Torme. He sounded like a kid singing in his bedroom who lived next door. My yonger sister Helen was more into country music. When the record was all the rage in highschools across the country, they tried to make it sound more respectable with covers by The Four Knights, and even Larry Hopper and Lawrence Welk. Teenagers didn't buy it. I'll be 86 in June and I still have my original 45. :-)
@stewartfenton7660
Jerry, is it on Essex? I cannot remember what label my 78 was on, but it was a white label and for some reason Essex has come into my head. This was England though, I don't even remember if it was a US Issue or what.
@jerryrasmussen6572
@Stewart Fenton I'll have to check, Stuart. I am not a collector. I'm an accumulator, and records aren't the only things I've accumulated. I have a couple of boxes of records in my garage... not a l,000. Oddly, Essex rings a bell. I'm running around today and I'll be out of town until Friday, but I'll see if I can look for it, out of curiosity. When I was in college I took a speech class, and we had to give a final five minute speech at the end of the class. I talked about Oh. Happy Day and what a revolutionary moment it was in popular music. Up until then, all the hit records in the late forties and early fifties were by proifessional, mostly big band vocalists. The fact that Don Howard had a samash hit with a "record your own voice" record shattered all limittions on who could make a hit record.
@stewartfenton7660
@Jerry Rasmussen Jerry, I appreciate that, but listen. I've checked other posts, and in fact one of the pictures on this post. And I did have the Essex issue. Looks as if it came out on Triple A, then was licensed to Essex. My sister and I were knocked out by this but knew nothing about it (this would be the 70's sometime). She was a rabid Elvis fan and I'm kind of a fan. Little did we know that this predated Elvis and probably influenced him. I thought, right up till looking it up on YouTube two days ago, that it was an absolute obscurity that only we had heard of.
But Jerry, go ahead and dig your records out and play them and think about old times.
@stewartfenton7660
@Jerry Rasmussen by the way, I accumulate too. I buy/save/scrounge things for future use and am a standing joke to all who know me. But laughter is the best medicine, and I'm pleased to be helping with the mental health of the local people.