William Bell - Happy

Soul legend William Bell was one of the mainstays of Stax Records, and consequently was more known for earthy Memphis type soul. But in 1968 all that changed with the release of "Happy", one of the most infectious joyous Northern Soul classics ever put down to wax, and of course it was a major top priority to record for our documentary "The Strange World Of Northern Soul", so we visited William in his own recording studio in Atlanta and filmed him re-doing this stone classic. William Bell (born William Yarborough, 16 July 1939, Memphis, Tennessee) is a truly legendary American soul singer and songwriter. He was one of the architects of the Stax-Volt sound, and is probably best known for his 1961 debut single, "You Don't Miss Your Water". With Booker T. Jones, Bell wrote the song, "Born Under a Bad Sign", which became a signature song for blues musician, Albert King. It was later popularized by the power trio, Cream. Also, Bell's collaboration in 1968 with Judy Clay, yielded the memorable hit, "Private Number", which was number one in the pop charts in England. Further U.S. hits followed with "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" (1968), which was remade into a U.S. Top 10 pop hit by Billy Idol in 1986 as "To Be A Lover". In 1977, Bell topped Billboard's R&B singles chart with his polyamorous soul song "Tryin' to Love Two". Hip hop group, Dilated Peoples, sampled Bell's song "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" in their hit track "Worst Comes To Worst." The track appears on their 2001 album, Expansion Team. Jaheim also sampled it in his song "Put That Woman First", which appears on his album Still Ghetto, and True Master used the same sample for the Killah Priest song "One Step" on the album Heavy Mental from 1998. Kanye West sampled the William Bell song "Strung Out" for Cam'ron's song "Down & Out" which is on the Purple Haze album. In 1997 Bell was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame. The man is a true legend of our music.

[@tomthefunky]

Everything William does is great." Soul of a Bell' is in my top 5 albums. Stax forever Y'all.

[@LBJTV]

I'm 14 and this song makes me go in tears near the end...I wish i had lived back then...the music today has no emotion nor meaning...
I guess I'm just going to have to live in the past..

[@martinwood8687]

First heard this at earls Barton all nighter in1969 it got me into northern soul never looked back 😍

[@angelakertland5483]

Makes me happy every time I hear it x

[@Multi1628]

1969 was a great year for dance music, this (even in USA) underground classic no exception - thank you for posting classic dance r&b Northern Soul classic classic classic DAVEDJ

[@puffyjet]

fantastic how can anyone sit still while this is playing it lifts the soul great
kevin

[@swilk411]

I love William Bell and I love this song!! Man, he's adorable too!

[@BigDuke6ixx]

In the tree of soul music, Bell is one of the thickest branches.

[@jamesbrady5451]

William Bell .. Legend and a nice guy

[@beebandloz]

Really does brighten up your evening, fantastic song to listen to with all this rain we're having

[@petergregory4924]

this amazing song says it all. 😀

[@robmolloy32]

Brings back great memories of holiday in Blackpool 1975 with all the lads and lassies that came from Port Glasgow and Greenock. All 16 then and not a care in the world between us.

[@geraldjohnson848]

July 16: Happy birthday Singer-songwriter William Bell. God bless. Thanks for the upload, lanLevine. Blessings

[@cornishdeb]

fond memories of the wintergardens, cleethorpes. one of my favourites. thankyou

[@Mr75044]

ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@indy5624]

Superb,

[@Ashwin42]

william bell, grest voice, just heard him and judy on allmemphismusic. the legends are still around

[@sandraselby4685]

One of the NS classics

[@bobrofmad]

tis song can get into your heart...

[@Yorkie241264]

Fantastic fav nice man

[@tygerstripe]

well wt can i say this song rocks my world i love it so much =}" im happy " oh how beautiful !!! =)

[@grahamsmiffy8737]

northern makes me happy full stop KTF

[@AndrewEldridgeLmpa]

Soul Time - Happy Dancing

[@knightd12]

This is the original "Happy", old school style.

[@zoroasterman]

I heard this song for the 1st time today, whilst watching a twisted British comedy/gore/horror film, "The Cottage", 2008, at the end credits, when all the ppl are killed. I can't imagine a more inapropriate time for a song like that! lol

[@tamla54]

this track surely lifts you when your sad abrillinat production of this track by the outstanding ian levinae and william bell fab as always.

[@petertomlinson3358]

Happy wow

[@seanlik]

CLASSSS
Cheers,
Sean

[@rabcurrie6631]

great tune,

[@1missraver]

Woooh :)

[@TooDarnSoulful]

Superb - thanks Ian :)

[@TooDarnSoulful]

ohh this takes me to a happy place ..thanks ian....ktf :)))

[@XUBY2]

Happy now

[@cambridgeunitedrob8888]

CLASIC CLASIC CLASIC
WHAT MORE CAN BE SAID

[@markreardon6290]

Happy 😋

[@fern17659]

[@alanfox4172]

I remember private number with Judy clay and headline news. Never heard this before.

[@tamla54]

what can you say bout this classic sadly you dont hear this track muchlets all be happy when giving this a blast any one out there rember booging to this id love to hear from you. i noof one person in rotherham syorks that played this track to death on vinyl im just wondering if theyve still got it

[@Tr1kx]

Time for Levanna McLean to dance down Bristol High Street to this I think ... see Northern Soul Girl Dances to HAPPY - Pharrell vs Northern Soul

[@johnriordan5135]

yes I think so to

[@breeze7955]

Wrong tune, "Velvet Hammer" Happy is the one, both great tunes ktf

[@Ashwin42]

grief! twisted is right LOL

[@norrisfmcalister7007]

HOW IN THE WORLD DID I NOT HEAR THIS.BORN DOWN SOUTH AND LISTENING TO WLAC JOHN ARR.WLAC ,NASHVILLE TENN. DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A WHITE GUY.

[@xaviersmith2715]

Oh OK Pharell keep taking credit of songs huh? First blurred lines now this? Lol

[@petertomlinson3358]

Happy wow