The Happy Song
Otis Redding Lyrics
When I sing this song y'all, lord
Singing it for my baby
She's the only one, can bring me joy
That's why, I sing these happy songs, they go
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, come on now
Happy song, happy song, now
She shut all my doors, she cut out the light
She cut off the light
She holds me and squeeze me tight
She tells me "big O, everything's all right"
Then I go dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, play it again
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, do it again
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, come on now
Those happy songs happy, happy songs
Come on
Bring my breakfast to the table
When I go to work she know I'm able
Do my job, I come back in
You oughta see my baby's face, she just grin, grin grin, I go
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, play it again
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum, sing them happy songs
Lovely, lovely songs
Sweet soul songs
Those good old happy songs
It gives ya such a feeling
A lovely lovely feeling
It makes you want to shout
In fact it knocks you out
Said, happy happy songs
Those good old lovely songs
Those sweet nursery rhyme songs
Those good old lovely songs
Those sweet soul music songs
Those good old, good old songs
Happy, happy songs
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS REDDING, STEVE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s. During his lifetime, his recordings were produced by Stax Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee. Read Full BioOtis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s. During his lifetime, his recordings were produced by Stax Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia, and at the age of 2, moved to Macon, Georgia. Redding quit school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962.
Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart, two years later. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later reached a wider American pop music audience. Along with his group, he first played small gigs in the American South. He later performed at the popular Los Angeles night club Whisky a Go Go and toured Europe, performing in London, Paris and other major cities. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his iconic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album The Dock of the Bay was the first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Redding's premature death devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label soon discovered that the Atco division of Atlantic Records owned the rights to his entire song catalog.
Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" are among his best-known songs.
Redding has been called the "King of Soul", an honorific also given to Brown and Cooke. He remains one of the genre's most recognized artists. His lean and powerful style exemplified the Stax sound; he was said to be "the heart and soul of Stax", while artists such as Al Jackson, Dunn and Cropper helped to expand its structure. His open-throated singing, the tremolo/vibrato, the manic, electrifying stage performances and perceived honesty were particular hallmarks, along with the use of interjections (such as "gotta, gotta, gotta"), some of which came from Cooke. Producer Stewart thought the "begging singing" was stress-induced and enhanced by Redding's shyness.
Artists from many genres have named Redding as a musical influence. George Harrison called "Respect" an inspiration for "Drive My Car". The Rolling Stones also mentioned Redding as a major influence. Other artists influenced by Redding include Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Doors, and virtually every soul and R&B musician from the early years, such as Al Green, Etta James, William Bell, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Conley. Janis Joplin was influenced by his singing style, according to Sam Andrew, a guitarist in her band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She stated that she learned "to push a song instead of just sliding over it" after hearing Redding.
The Bee Gees' Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb wrote the song "To Love Somebody" for him to record. He loved it, and he was going to "cut it", as Barry put it, on his return from his final concert. They dedicated the song to his memory.
Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia, and at the age of 2, moved to Macon, Georgia. Redding quit school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962.
Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart, two years later. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later reached a wider American pop music audience. Along with his group, he first played small gigs in the American South. He later performed at the popular Los Angeles night club Whisky a Go Go and toured Europe, performing in London, Paris and other major cities. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his iconic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album The Dock of the Bay was the first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Redding's premature death devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label soon discovered that the Atco division of Atlantic Records owned the rights to his entire song catalog.
Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" are among his best-known songs.
Redding has been called the "King of Soul", an honorific also given to Brown and Cooke. He remains one of the genre's most recognized artists. His lean and powerful style exemplified the Stax sound; he was said to be "the heart and soul of Stax", while artists such as Al Jackson, Dunn and Cropper helped to expand its structure. His open-throated singing, the tremolo/vibrato, the manic, electrifying stage performances and perceived honesty were particular hallmarks, along with the use of interjections (such as "gotta, gotta, gotta"), some of which came from Cooke. Producer Stewart thought the "begging singing" was stress-induced and enhanced by Redding's shyness.
Artists from many genres have named Redding as a musical influence. George Harrison called "Respect" an inspiration for "Drive My Car". The Rolling Stones also mentioned Redding as a major influence. Other artists influenced by Redding include Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Doors, and virtually every soul and R&B musician from the early years, such as Al Green, Etta James, William Bell, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Conley. Janis Joplin was influenced by his singing style, according to Sam Andrew, a guitarist in her band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She stated that she learned "to push a song instead of just sliding over it" after hearing Redding.
The Bee Gees' Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb wrote the song "To Love Somebody" for him to record. He loved it, and he was going to "cut it", as Barry put it, on his return from his final concert. They dedicated the song to his memory.
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Bubs D
When I sing this song y'all, lord
Singing it for my baby
She's the only one, can bring me joy
That's why, I sing these happy songs, they go
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, come on now
Happy song, happy song, now
On a cold rainy windy night, huh
She shut all my doors, she cut out the light
She cut off the light
She holds me and squeeze me tight
She tells me "big O, everything's all right"
Then I go dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, play it again
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, do it again
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, come on now
Those happy songs happy, happy songs
Come on
Bring my breakfast to the table
When I go to work she know I'm able
Do my job, I come back in
You oughta see my baby's face, she just grin, grin grin, I go
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum-dum, play it again
Dum, dum, baby, dee-dum, sing them happy songs
Lovely, lovely songs
Sweet soul songs
Those good old happy songs
It gives ya such a feeling
A lovely lovely feeling
It makes you want to shout
In fact it knocks you out
Said, happy happy songs
Those good old lovely songs
Those sweet nursery rhyme songs
Those good old lovely songs
Those sweet soul music songs
Those good old, good old songs
Happy, happy songs
Brenda Emerson
When you can find another singer like otis Redding, let me know, a Happy Song.
David Richardson
DAS EFX brought me here. I listen to both The Happy Song and Dums Dums back to back. Soul music at it's highest quality. RIP Otis Redding.
Michael Mathis
Absolutely one of my favorite artist.
Jevezy
I love to hear him sing this song. Soul man, pure soul. Enjoying it in 2019.
Southerngirl675
Thanks for coming by guys. Peace and Love to you all. 🌹❤
BahamaDigital
We love you💕
Teresa Grant
I love this song i just heard and i really enjoy it alot i listen to alot
John Griswold
Teresa Grant I think i listened to this song over a thousand times!
John Griswold
Teresa Grant I think i listened to this song over a thousand times!
Oli Moor
This man is Soul, hot soul burning soul, body & soul burning soul. I play his music in my house & always on my road trips, sometime he is the only one I play ,because I never get tired of him doing, what he is doing to me. I loved him back then, I cried when his plane crashed & I still love him to this day, His name is OTIS Yall!!!