THE HIT HAMMER: Jimmy Soul's "If You Wanna Be Happy"

(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please refer to the "Poor Little Fool" post.)

Jimmy Soul - "If You Wanna Be Happy"

Hit Number 1: May 18, 1963

Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks

If there was ever a song about ridiculous advice, it's "If You Wanna Be Happy". This super upbeat and well, happy, song tells its male listeners that "if you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife". The song goes on to tell you that pretty women will just put you down and take advantage of you. However, if you were to make an ugly woman your wife, you'll be happy for the rest of your life cause you'll get your peace of mind, and she'll cook your meals on time. In a society today where everyone gets their feelings hurt WAY too easily, this could never hit #1 today. But back in 1963, it certainly was appealing enough to the public for its comedic messages and its bouncy and energetic nature.

"If You Wanna Be Happy" is based off of a 1934 song called "Ugly Woman". Unsurprisingly, it was banned from some radio stations because of its content, but that didn't stop the song from becoming a chart-topper. Perhaps the most notable thing about it, is the spoken dialogue between Soul and one of his backing vocalists, which was inspired from a Bo Diddley song "Say Man". The dialogue starts out with Soul exclaiming "Say Man!" / "Hey Baby!" / "I saw your wife the other day!" / "Yeah?" / "Yeah she's uglyyyyy!" / "Yeah she's ugly but she sure can cook baby!" / "Yeah, alright." Even though it's not classified as one, it really wouldn't be that much of a stretch to put this under the "novelty" category. It's that outrageous and funny.

You know right as the song starts out that it's going to be something else, when everyone in the studio is yelling "Hey!" "Ho!" Alright now!" before the song gets going. After that, it turns into a bunch of somewhat incoherent chanting, but it's about as bouncy and fun as a song gets. There isn't any lack of energy for sure, and that spoken dialogue only confirms the song's intentions. Which is, and I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record here, don't take the thing seriously! The song is not trying to slam women, or put them down. It's only a fun song that tries to put a smile on your face, sing along (if you can understand them), and overall have a good time while listening to it. I feel like for most people, it succeeds.

GRADE: 9/10

10 ALERT!!!:

The Beach Boys (who will show up in this blog pretty soon) had the surf rock anthem jam "Surfin' U.S.A." which peaked at #3 behind "If You Wanna Be Happy". There's a reason so many people know this song today. It's a 10.