"Happiness" is a song by British electronic music duo Pizzaman, which consisted of John Reid and Norman Cook, released in November 1995 by Loaded Records as the third single from the duo's only album, Pizzamania (1995). The song contains a sample of "Five Songs by Four Voices" performed by English poet, artist and musician Edward Barton, and uses a backbeat from "Break 4 Love" by Raze.[2] "Happiness" peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the UK Dance Chart. Its music video was directed by American filmmaker and photojournalist Michael Dominic. Del Monte Foods corporation used the song in a UK fruit juice ad.
| "Happiness" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Pizzaman | ||||
| from the album Pizzamania | ||||
| Released | 6 November 1995[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:28 | |||
| Label | Loaded | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Pizzaman | |||
| Producer(s) | Pizzaman | |||
| Pizzaman singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Happiness" on YouTube | ||||
Critical reception
editMichael Bonner from Melody Maker commented, "Achieving something of a godlike status in the minds of me and my best pal, May, for his work on Mighty Dub Katz' "Magic Carpet Ride", Pizzaman presses all the right buttons again with a catchy blast of techno-laced happy house. Bedroom bouncing stuff."[3] Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "Easily my favourite single of the week is "Happiness", the barnstorming release from Norman Cook's latest alter-ego Pizzaman. Its swirl of influences include jazzy piano frills, gospelly vocals, a backbeat lifted from "Break 4 Love", Sixties-style organ, Seventies-style synth and much more. They all dovetail together perfectly."[2] Brad Beatnik from the Record Mirror Dance Update rated it four out of five, adding, "Norman Cook and the Playboys finally release one of the most uptempo and infectious tracks on their debut album. The Club mix and Playboys dub use less of the singalong vocal and stick to harder grooves while the original and Euro-versions go for the real hands-in-the-air effect. A definite party anthem."[4]
Track listings
edit- 12-inch, UK (1995)
- "Happiness" (Club Mix) — 6:55
- "Happiness" (Play Boys Fully Loaded Dub) — 7:52
- "Happiness" (Original 12" Mix) — 5:22
- "Happiness" (Euro Mix) — 5:21
- CD single, UK (1995)
- "Happiness" (Eat Me Edit) — 3:28
- "Happiness" (Club Mix) — 6:57
- "Happiness" (Play Boys Fully Loaded Dub) — 7:54
- "Happiness" (Original Mix) — 5:24
- "Happiness" (Euro Mix) — 5:24
- "Happiness" (Play Boys Fully Loaded Dub II) — 7:12
- CD maxi, Europe (1995)
- "Happiness" (Eat Me Edit) — 3:26
- "Happiness" (Club Mix) — 6:55
- "Happiness" (Play Boys Fully Loaded Dub) — 7:52
- "Happiness" (Original Mix) — 5:22
- "Happiness" (Euro Mix) — 5:21
- "Happiness" (Play Boys Fully Loaded Dub II) — 7:11
- "Happiness" (Bonus Mix) — 4:54
Charts
edit| Chart (1995–1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 64 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] | 79 |
| Scotland (OCC)[7] | 24 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[8] | 19 |
| UK Dance (OCC)[9] | 3 |
References
edit- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 4 November 1995. p. 43.
- ^ a b Jones, Alan (11 November 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ Bonner, Michael (11 November 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 36. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Beatnik, Brad (21 October 1995). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 219.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 25 November 1995. p. 27. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 12 November 1995 - 18 November 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 12 November 1995 - 18 November 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2021.