"Heavy Makes You Happy" was a hit song for Bobby Bloom in 1971. The song was written by Jeff Barry and Bloom, while Barry produced it. It was also a hit for The Staple Singers. Other artists who have recorded it include, The Alabama State Troupers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Claudja Barry, The Solution and Keb' Mo'.

Bobby Bloom version

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"Heavy Makes You Happy"
Song by Bobby Bloom
from the album The Bobby Bloom Album
A-side"Heavy Makes You Happy"
B-side"Give 'Em a Hand"
ReleasedNovember 27, 1970 (1970-11-27)
LabelPolydor 2001-122
Songwriter(s)Barry - Bloom
Producer(s)Jeff Barry

Bobby Bloom's version was released in the UK by Polydor Records in 1970, in support of the album, The Bobby Bloom Album.[1]

A promo film for the song was aired on BBC1 Top of the Pops on Thursday 21 January 1971.[2]

Charts

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"Heavy Makes You Happy" debuted in the Melody Maker Pop 30 chart at No. 28 for the week of January 30, 1971.[3] On the main UK singles chart, it peaked at No. 31 on January 31.[4]

Staple Singers version

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"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)"
Single by The Staple Singers
from the album The Staple Swingers
B-side"Love is Plentiful"
ReleasedNovember 1970 (1970-11)
Recorded1970
StudioRhythm recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Genre
Length2:58
LabelStax STA-0083
Songwriter(s)Jeff Barry, Bobby Bloom
Producer(s)Al Bell
The Staple Singers singles chronology
"Love Is Plentiful"
(1970)
"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)"
(1970)
"You've Got to Earn It"
(1971)

"Heavy Makes You Happy" was recorded by the Staple Singers. It was a hit on the Billboard and Cash Box charts.[6] Backed with a Bettye Crutcher, Bobby Manuel composition, "Love is Plentiful",[7][8] the single was released on Stax STA 0083 in November, 1970.[9][10]

Airplay

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The song had some airplay at Top 40 station WQXI in Atlanta for the week of February 6, 1971.[11]

Charts

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"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)" debuted at no. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on the week of February 6, 1971. It peaked at no. 27 on April 10 and spent a total of 12 weeks in the chart.[12][13]

It debuted at no. 33 in the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart on the week of February 6. It peaked at no. 6 on April 3 and spent a total of 13 weeks in the chart.[14][15]

It debuted at no. 93 in the Cash Box Top 100 chart on February 20, 1971. It peaked no. 24 on April 3, and spent a total of ten weeks in the chart.[16][17]

Other versions

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1970s

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The Alabama State Troupers released a live version of the song in 1972. It was recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips and released in 1973, Claudja Barry recorded a version which was in 1978.[18]

1980s to 2000s

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The Solution recorded a version, released in 2007, and Keb Mo released his live version in 2017.[19]

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References

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  1. ^ Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Bobby Bloom, Heavy Makes You Happy
  2. ^ TV Pop Diaries - 1971, Thursday 21st January 1971
  3. ^ Melody Maker, January 30, 1971 - Page 2 Melody Maker Pop 30 28 (-) HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY
  4. ^ Official Charts - HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY by BOBBY BLOOM
  5. ^ a b Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 577. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
  6. ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
  7. ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
  8. ^ Discogs - The Staple Singers – Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) / Love Is Plentiful
  9. ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
  10. ^ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Make You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) by The Staple Singers
  11. ^ Cash Box, February 6, 1971 - Page 24 New Additions to Radio Playlists – Primary Markets
  12. ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 76 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending Feb. 6, 1971, THIS WEEK 97, LAST WEEK _, Weeks On Chart 1
  13. ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Hot 100
  14. ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
  15. ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Soul Singles
  16. ^ Cash Box, February 20, 1971 - Page 4 Cash Box TOP 100, 93, _, _
  17. ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom, Cash Box)
  18. ^ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS
  19. ^ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS