Yesterday Once More

23 Aug 2016

Happy And Sad

Hi Listeners,

This week we are presenting contrasts. Many songs celebrate the joyousness of feeling happy just as many songs express sadness. In the sixties the Turtles sang about being ‘Happy Together’ and despite its banal lyrics the song was immensely popular for its cheerfulness. Aussie group, Little River Band, combined their impeccable harmonies to produce their hit single ‘Happy Anniversary’ while other artists were ‘happy’ about many things. A rare Aussie single from blind singer Grantley Dee and teenager, Little Pattie, was ‘Love Is A Happy Thing’ which may or may not be true. The Who presented a novelty song about a happy chap entitled ‘Happy Jack’ while The Beatles were ‘I’m Happy Just To Dance With You’. Two variations on the theme are the stunning performance of Lainie Kazan singing the classic standard ‘Feelin’ Good’ while the program concludes with a rare whistling instrumental ‘The Happy Whistler’ by Don Robertson.

Sadness, feeling blue and other synonyms are staples for pop music. In 1959, the great Sarah Vaughan combined music with lyrics about sadness in her big hit ‘Broken Hearted Melody’. Sue Thompson, on the other hand, in her little girl voice, captured the listener’s hearts with her million seller ‘Sad Movies’. Two songs from Aussie groups are the cover from MPD Limited ‘Little Boy Sad’ and a somewhat diminished Easybeats song, minus Stevie Wright, ‘Sad Lonely And Blue’. Finally. a Joy favourite LGBTI performer, Elton John, taps into the our very theme with ‘Sad Songs’.

Playlist

* Happy Together – Turtles
* Broken Hearted Melody – Sarah Vaughan
* Happy Anniversary – Little River Band
* Feelin’ Good – Lainie Kazan
* Sad Movies – Sue Thompson
* Little Boy Sad – MPD Limited
* Sad Songs – ELton John
* Sad Lonely And Blue – Easybeats
* Happy Jack – The Who
* Love Is A Happy Thing – Grantley Dee/Little Pattie
* I’m Happy Just To Dance With You – Beatles8
* The Happy Whistler – Don Robertson