Al Green (Al Green) was not going to include the track Love and Happiness (“Love and happiness”) in the album I’m Still in Love with You (“I’m still in love with you”). The song was released as a single in the US only five years after it was first heard by the public. But still, later it became the most popular song of the famous artist, which critics called the quintessence of Green’s work and one of the greatest works in the genre of soul music.
History of Love and Happiness – Al Green
Greene co-wrote it with Teenie Hodges. Together they also composed several other works, including Full of Fire, Take Me to the River and Here I Am (Come and Take Me).
Al later recalled:
I wouldn’t say it was a throwback to the old-fashioned soul of my youth, but I definitely pulled it out of that source out of dire need.
soul train
What is Love and Happiness about? The author briefly explained the meaning of the work:
Sixty percent of my audience are women, and a woman is more sensitive than a man, especially in the area of love and happiness.
So we can consider the composition as a dedication to the beautiful half of humanity.
Recording and release of Love and Happiness
The musician recorded the song with the participation of producer Willie Mitchell (Willie Mitchell). In his autobiography, Take Me to the River, Al Green spoke about the progress of the track:
Love and Happiness was like a mixture of explosive chemicals. Everything had to be added exactly at the right time, observing the dosage. For Willie, pace was the most important thing. If you listen closely, you’ll notice that in a successful take, Tiny is counting down by tapping her foot on a cardboard box.
2000
The song was included in the album I’m Still in Love with You, but this decision was made at the last moment. Teeny Hodges recalled:
Usually we took on my songs last. We were making an album, it needed one or two tracks to complete it, and then we would take on my song. We recorded Love and Happiness last for that album.
In the UK, it was released as a single in 1973, and in the USA the composition in this format was presented to the public only in 1977. Her achievements on the Billboard charts were modest: 104th on the pop chart and 82nd on the R&B chart.
However, the audience liked it, and music critics vying praised Love and Happiness. In 2004, it was included in the list of the five hundred greatest songs of all time, compiled by Rolling Stone magazine.
Music video Love and Happiness
Next up is Al Green’s Love and Happiness music video.
Cover versions
Love and Happiness was performed by Earnest Jackson, The Undisputed Truth, Al Jarreau, Living Colour, Etta James and other musicians.
Let’s listen to the First Choice version.
Interesting Facts
- The composition was included in the soundtracks of several popular films, including Nine and a Half Weeks.
- Love and Happiness also sounds in popular television series: “The Wire”, “Doctor House” and others.
Love and Happiness Lyrics
Love and happiness, yeah
Something that can make you do wrong, make you do right
Love
love and happiness
But wait a minute
Something’s going wrong
Someone’s on the phone
Three o’clock in the morning
Talkin’ about how she can make it right, yeah
Well, happiness is when, you really feel good with somebody
But nothing wrong with being in love with someone, yeah
Oh, baby, love and happiness
love and happiness
Love and happiness (love and happiness) oh
I have to say
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
You be good to me
I’ll be good to you
We’ll be together, yeah
We’ll see each other
Walk away with victory, yeah oh baby
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Make you do right, love’ll make you do wrong
Make you come home early
Make you stay out all night long
The power of love
Wait a minute
Let me tell you
Oh the power
power of love
Power of love, power
Make you do right, love’ll make you do wrong
Ha yeah
(Love and happiness, love and happiness)
Say love
(Love and happiness, love and happiness)
Make you want to dance
love and happiness
Love is, wait a minute, love is
Yeah, walkin’ together, yeah, talkin’ together
Say it again, say it together, yeah
Say wanna moans
Moan for love, say, hmm
Moan for love, hmm
Moan for love
Talkin’ ’bout the power
Lyrics: AL GREEN, MABON LEWIS HODGES
Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Al Green Lyrics Love and Happiness Lyrics
Love and happiness,
Something that can make you do wrong or right.
Love,
Love and happiness.
But wait a minute.
Something is wrong,
Someone is calling
At three o’clock in the morning
She talks about how she can fix things.
Happiness is when you really feel good with someone
But there’s nothing wrong with loving somebody, yeah
Oh baby love and happiness
Love and happiness,
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
I’m forced to say
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Be good to me
I will be kind to you.
We will be together,
We will see each other.
Walk away in victory, baby.
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Love and happiness (love and happiness)
Hey hey hey hey
Makes you do right, love makes you do wrong.
Makes you come home early
Makes you leave all night.
Power of love.
Wait a minute
Let me tell you.
Oh strength
Power of love,
The power of love, power.
Makes you do right, love makes you do wrong.
Ha, yeah
(Love and happiness, love and happiness).
Say “Love”.
(Love and happiness, love and happiness).
Make you want to dance
Love and happiness.
Love is… Wait a minute, love is…
Yes, walk together, yes, talk.
Say it again, let’s say it together
Tell me you want to moan
demand love,
Require love.
Talk about strength.
Song quote
…one of the greatest soul songs of all time.
Stephen McMillian
