Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American g… Read Full Bio ↴Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He was one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (as leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers) was probably best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968–69), which was included on the Songs of the Century list. The Edwin Hawkins Singers made a second foray into the charts exactly one year later, backing folk singer Melanie on "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)".
At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)
When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single (on the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah) rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. Hawkins' arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.
Their second Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the performers as Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.
Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at the age of 74.
At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)
When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single (on the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah) rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. Hawkins' arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.
Their second Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the performers as Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.
Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at the age of 74.
Joy Joy
The Edwin Hawkins Singers Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Joy Joy' by these artists:
Black Motion Joy joy It is how you make me feel Every time I…
Black Motion Brenden Praise Joy joy It is how you make me feel Every time I…
Black Motion [feat. Brenden Praise] Joy joy It is how you make me feel Every time I…
David Phelps Like a drama unfolding, the curtain was opening An audience …
Sojourn Under the babyʼs head she held Love, love, sing Emmanuel Len…
The Proclaimers Sweet Joy Butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, Tornadoes in …
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Edwin Hawkins Singers:
Happy day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…Jesus Jesus lover of my soul Let me to Thy bosom fly While…
Jesus, Lover of My Soul Jesus, Lover of my soul Jesus, I will never let you…
Lay Down Lay down, lay down, let it all down Let your white…
Lord Don't Move That Mountain Now Lord don't move my mountain But give me the strength…
O Happy Day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
O-o-h Child Ooh child Things are gonna get easier Ooh child Things'll ge…
Oh Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
Ooh Child Ooh child Things are gonna get easier Ooh child Things'll ge…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@angelgood777
My dear Sister Jaqueline Leah (at 17rs) was the choir director and pianist for our church . She directed the 18 member choir in performing this wonderful song. They covered Edwin Hawkins' arrangement of 'Joy Joy' meticulously. It brought tears of joy into my heart. As I listen to it this morning 11/5/2024, I still feel the joy . I thank God in Rabbi Christ Jesus name for my beautiful Sister J. Leah who gave of her vocal and musical talents, her unselfish love and JOY. Seems I can hear her voice from heaven when listening to this inspiring song.
@cjbrodie2
My mother loved this song. She passed away many years ago but when I hear it I see her making Sunday dinner listening and singing this song. I miss her so much.
@coachnsuccess
Weeping may endure for the night but Joy! Joy! comes in the morning! Joy Joy Joy will come. Yes Joy Joy. I'm so glad that joy will come.
@Judah2019
This song came out the year I was born 1969 (timeless), . I remember being like 5 yrs old and my dad would play it. Gives me chills, I love this and I miss my dad. ❤
@DWhytePA
This was on the original Oh Happy Day album released in 1969. This is one of my favorite songs from that recording and it has help me cope through some tough times in my life. Thanks for posting this...
@tionicho
This song has played inside my head for over 40years...Thank God for his Joy Joy in the morning...May all those who weep find peace in the comfort of his lasting promise! God Bless You for sharing this blessing...Amen
@gbrumburgh
My #1 gospel song of all time. The chorus absolutely soars.
@heatherbrown5245
Yes this so g has been in my memory since a child I’ll be 58 in August.
@jldorell33
At 27 years of age, I can almost assure you that gospel music is no longer the same. This sounds extremely beautiful. Take it to chu'ch...
@carlaforde1433
at 60 years of age, I tell you music was quite beautiful. I grew up with this entire album played regularly in my home. The whole 8 song album is a treasure and I rediscovered it today on YouTube. Each song is available here with a little searching. Edwin, Walter, and Tramaine Hawkins contributed greatly to what I considered to be premiere contemporary gospel in the late 60's, the 70's and 80's. God has been a true friend in giving us YouTube to stay in touch with this wonderful, worshipful music.