Heavy Makes You Happy
"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
[edit]| "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" |
| Released | November 27, 1970 |
| Label | Polydor 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
[edit]"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
[edit]| "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Staple Singers | ||||
| from the album The Staple Swingers | ||||
| B-side | "Love is Plentiful" | |||
| Released | November 1970 | |||
| Recorded | 1970 | |||
| Studio | Rhythm recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios | |||
| Length | 2:58 | |||
| Label | Stax STA-0083 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jeff Barry, Bobby Bloom | |||
| Producer(s) | Al Bell | |||
| The Staple Singers singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Heavy Makes You Happy" was recorded by the Staple Singers. It was a hit on the Billboard and Cash Box charts.[5] Backed with a Bettye Crutcher, Bobby Manuel composition, "Love is Plentiful",[6][7] the single was released on Stax STA 0083 in November, 1970.[8][9]
Airplay
[edit]The song had some airplay at Top 40 station WQXI in Atlanta for the week of February 6, 1971.[10]
Charts
[edit]"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.[11][12]
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.[13][14]
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.[15][16]
Other versions
[edit]1970s
[edit]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.[17]
1980s to 2000s
[edit]The Solution recorded a version, released in 2007, and Keb Mo released his live version in 2017.[18]
External links
[edit]- Discogs - Bobby Bloom – Heavy Makes You Happy
- Bobby Bloom - Topic channel, Jul 31, 2018 - Heavy Makes You Happy (audio)
- CBC channel, Nov 15, 2018 - Pop-up Video: The Staple Singers perform 'Heavy Makes You Happy' | From the Vaults (video)
- The Solution - Topic channel, Nov 9, 2014 - Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) (audio)
- Mary Connolly - Topic channel, Sep 30, 2014 - Heavy Makes You Happy (audio)
References
[edit]- ^ Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Bobby Bloom, Heavy Makes You Happy
- ^ TV Pop Diaries - 1971, Thursday 21st January 1971
- ^ Melody Maker, January 30, 1971 - Page 2 Melody Maker Pop 30 28 (-) HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY
- ^ Official Charts - HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY by BOBBY BLOOM
- ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
- ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
- ^ Discogs - The Staple Singers – Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) / Love Is Plentiful
- ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
- ^ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Make You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) by The Staple Singers
- ^ Cash Box, February 6, 1971 - Page 24 New Additions to Radio Playlists – Primary Markets
- ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 76 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending Feb. 6, 1971, THIS WEEK 97, LAST WEEK _, Weeks On Chart 1
- ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Hot 100
- ^ Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
- ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Soul Singles
- ^ Cash Box, February 20, 1971 - Page 4 Cash Box TOP 100, 93, _, _
- ^ #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom, Cash Box)
- ^ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS
- ^ Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS
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