Happiness (Alexis Jordan song)

For the song by Japanese boy band Arashi, see Happiness (Arashi song).
"Happiness"
A three dimension womans on the floor and the stars are here
Single by Alexis Jordan
from the album Alexis Jordan
Released September 7, 2010
Format CD single, digital download
Genre Dance-pop, house
Length 4:02
Label StarRoc, Roc Nation
Writer(s) Joel Zimmerman, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Autumn Rowe, Petr Brdičko
Producer(s) Stargate, Joel Zimmerman
Alexis Jordan singles chronology
"Happiness"
(2010)		 "Good Girl"
(2011)

"Happiness" is the debut single by American recording artist Alexis Jordan. It is the lead single from her self-titled debut studio album, released in the United States on September 7, 2010. The upbeat dance-pop and house rhythm behind the track was heavily sampled from electronic artist Deadmau5's "Brazil (2nd Edit)" (released two years prior to "Happiness"). The lyrics were written by Autumn Rowe, Petr Brdičko, and the track was re-edited for the lyrics by StarGate.

"Happiness" was generally well received by many critics, with some complimenting Jordan's vocal abilities. The song topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, giving Jordan her first number one on the chart. Outside the United States, "Happiness" topped the charts in the Netherlands, where it remained for ten weeks, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video, directed by Aggressive sees Jordan being torn apart from her love interest. It was noted for its similarities to Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head".

Background

After being eliminated from the first season of America's Got Talent in 2006, Jordan began posting videos of herself singing cover songs on YouTube, of which she later became a viral sensation for.[1] After receiving a phone call from Stargate, Jordan flew over to New York City to record a few songs with them. It was then announced in the press in March 2010 that she had signed to StarRoc/Roc Nation after Jay-Z had noticed her in the studio with Stargate.[1]

Composition
Alexis Jordan "Happiness" (2010)
A sample of the song, described as an "irresistible pop anthem".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Happiness" is an upbeat dance-pop song, influenced by house music.[1][2] The song has a "simple, pleasant melody" and has been described as an "upbeat track tinged with full good electronica".[3][4] The music used was Deadmau5's "Brazil (2nd Edit)".[3] Which was re-edit for the vocals by Stargate. In explaining the song, Jordan revealed it is about "finding love in yourself before you find it in someone else, because a lot of people lose themselves when they fall in love, and they forget who they are, and that's what you've gotta do. You've gotta find someone who loves you for you".[5] Songwriter Autumn Rowe has said in an interview that "Happiness" has an African influence.[6]

Critical reception

Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music awarded the song four stars and said "If Madonna had put this out, it would be hailed as one of the best songs of her long and varied career. And she possibly would struggle to get the crystal purity of those top notes, which means Alexis is officially better than Madonna".[7] Bill Lamb of About.com praised the song for its "danceable beat" and "simple, pleasant melody" but also called the song an "insubstantial fluff" and that its "sound lacks any particular distinction".[3] Kevin O'Donnell of NPR Music called the song an "irresistible pop anthem" and said "this is disco music for a Disney audience — and, amazingly enough, it works".[8]

Nick Levine of Digital Spy awarded the song five stars, describing the song as a "tale of romantic regret, realisation and ultimately exultation".[9] Andrew Butler of Pink Paper magazine was impressed with the song, stating "It really does make you feel happy, through a mixture of its fabulously put together lyrics, infectious humming and danceable tunes".[10] Emma Johnson of Liverpool Echo called the song "one of the most infectious tracks of the year",[11] while AOL Radio named it the sixth top dance song of 2010.[12]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Happiness" debuted on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart at number 40.[13] It climbed the chart in subsequent weeks and peaked at the top position for the week, July 17, 2010.[14] The song held the position for one week before losing it to Wynter Gordon's "Dirty Talk".[15] Also in the US, the song reached number one on the Hot Dance Airplay chart.[16] In the United Kingdom, the song debuted, and peaked, at number three on the UK Singles Chart on November 7, 2010 - for the week ending November 13, 2010.[17][18] It made its Irish debut at number 31 and spent 20 weeks inside the top 50.[19] and peaked at number thirty-one.[20] On the European Hot 100 Singles chart, "Happiness" reached number 13.[21] In Australia, the song debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number 25 on December 19, 2010,[22] before peaking at number three in its sixth week on the chart. It has since been certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of 210,000 units. In April 2011, the song reached number one for ten weeks in the Dutch Top 40 and It became the biggest hit of 2011 in the Netherlands that year (staying in the top 40 for 30 weeks).[23]

Music video

Two frames showing Jordan in the backseat of her orange car (upper) and at a swimming pool with four back-up dancers (lower)

The music video for "Happiness" was directed by Aggressive[24] and premiered online on May 20, 2010.[25] While being interviewed, Jordan described the video as "fun, colorful, and young. The video makes you want to dance. I wanted to do something unique. I want to be an artist that leaves a mark on the industry".[26]

The video is set in a colorful city and has a futuristic theme to it. The storyline of the video begins with Jordan dropping off her boyfriend at a bus stop, as they appear to be breaking up.[27] She is seen sitting in the backseat of her orange AMC Pacer, and starts to sing the song's first verse, just as the wind begins to pick up, sliding her car and the bus stop, where her boyfriend is at, in opposite directions.[27] Throughout the video, the city moves in motion. It is intercut with other scenes, including Jordan dancing with four other back-up dancers at a swimming pool, a man reading a newspaper while holding a Dalmatian dog by its leash, and also a woman with a few shopping bags. During the car scenes, Jordan sees flashbacks of her boyfriend in the car's rear-view mirror. She later realises that he makes her happy and moves to the driver's seat, to stop the car. Jordan then reverses the car, sending her back to the bus stop.[27]

Some critics compared the video to Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" clip, due to both videos having a futuristic theme, with similar car scenes.[28] MTV's Chris Ryan said "the video has a real "Can't Get You Out of My Head"/altered reality vibe to it, with everyday scenes played out with a dreamlike quality".[29]

Track listings

  • Digital download[30]
  1. "Happiness" – 4:03
  1. "Happiness" – 4:03
  2. "Happiness" (Michael Woods Remix) – 7:42
  3. "Happiness" (Wideboys Club Mix) – 5:35
  4. "Happiness" (Dave Audé Club Mix) – 8:38
  1. "Happiness" (Jump Smokers Extended Mix) – 4:12
  2. "Happiness" (Wideboys Club Mix) – 5:35
  3. "Happiness" (Dave Audé Club Mix) – 8:38
  • Australia and New Zealand digital EP[33]
  1. "Happiness" – 4:03
  2. "Happiness" (Wideboys Radio Edit) – 4:08
  3. "Happiness" (Jump Smokers Radio Edit) – 3:47
  • Germany CD single[34]
  1. "Happiness" – 4:03
  2. "Happiness" (Dave Audé Radio Edit) – 4:19
  • Happiness (Dave Audé Remix) [Radio Edit] - Single
  1. "Happiness" (Dave Audé Remix) [Radio Edit] - 3:24

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2010–11) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[35] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[36] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[37] 9
European Hot 100 Singles[21] 13
Ireland (IRMA)[38] 31
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 8
Norway (VG-lista)[41] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[42] 2
Poland (Dance Top 50)[43] 19
Germany (Official German Charts)[44] 57
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[45] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 44
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[47] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[48] 3
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[14] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2010) Position
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[49] 9
Chart (2011) Position
Australian Singles Chart[50] 26
Dutch Top 40[51] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Belgium (BEA)[53] Gold 15,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[54] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Gold 400,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Country Date Format † Label
United States September 7, 2010[32] Remix EP StarRoc, Roc Nation
Ireland[30][31] October 29, 2010 Main version, extended play Sony Music
United Kingdom[56][57]
Australia[33] December 10, 2010 Extended play
New Zealand[58]
Taiwan December 12, 2010 Digital download
Japan January 2, 2011 Digital download
Germany March 18, 2011[34] CD single
July 15, 2011[34] CD single (Dave Audé Mix)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Alexis, Nadeska (2010-03-26). "Alexis Jordan Snags Deal With Roc Nation". The BoomBox. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  2. ↑ Slomowicz, Ron (2010-05-11). "Song of the Day: Alexis Jordan "Happiness"". About.com. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  3. 1 2 3 Lamb, Bill (2010). "Alexis Jordan - Happiness". About.com. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  4. ↑ Laidlow, Matthew (18 March 2011). "Alexis Jordan - the next pop superstar?". Virgin Media. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "Alexis Jordan interview - Happiness". Virgin Music. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  6. ↑ http://www.thismustbepop.com/2011/02/thank-you-for-music-autumn-rowe.html
  7. ↑ McAlpine, Fraser (2010-11-01). "BBC - Chart Blog: Alexis Jordan - "Happiness"". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  8. ↑ O'Donnell, Kevin (2010-12-14). "Alexis Jordan: An Unlikely Club Diva". NPR Music. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  9. ↑ Levine, Nick (2010-11-01). "Music - Singles Review - Alexis Jordan: 'Happiness'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  10. ↑ Butler, Andrew (2010-10-25). "SINGLE: Alexis Jordan - Happiness". Pink Paper. Millivres Prowler Limited. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Emma (2010-12-03). "Beyond Happiness: What's next for America's Got Talent star Alexis Jordan?". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  12. ↑ "Top Dance Songs of 2010". AOL Radio. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  13. ↑ "Dance Club/Play Songs - Week of May 15, 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  14. 1 2 "Dance/Club Play Songs - Week of July 17, 2010". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  15. ↑ "Dance/Club Play Songs - Week of July 24, 2010". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  16. ↑ "Alexis Jordan Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  17. ↑ "Archive Chart". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  18. ↑ "Chart Stats - Alexis Jordan - Happiness". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  19. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track - Week ending 4 November 2010". GFK Chart-Track. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  20. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Week ending 2 December 2010". GFK Chart-Track. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  21. 1 2 "European Hot 100 - Week of November 20, 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  22. ↑ "Alexis Jordan - Happiness". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  23. ↑ http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Alexis+Jordan&titel=Happiness&cat=s
  24. ↑ "Alexis Jordan Beams With "Happiness" In Her Debut Video". Idolator. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  25. ↑ "Video: Alexis Jordan - 'Happiness'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  26. ↑ "Meet the New Chart Topping Diva in Jay-Z's Life". Us Magazine. Us Weekly. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  27. 1 2 3 "Alexis Jordan - The Making of "Happiness" Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  28. ↑ "Alexis Jordan - 'Happiness'". Orange UK. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  29. ↑ Ryan, Chris (2010-06-21). "Buzzworthy Obsession: Alexis Jordan's Happiness Video". MTV. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  30. 1 2 "Happiness - Single - Ireland". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  31. 1 2 "Happiness - EP - Ireland". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  32. 1 2 "Happiness - Remix EP - United States". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  33. 1 2 "Happiness - EP - Australia". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  34. 1 2 3 "Happiness: Alexis Jordan: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  35. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  36. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alexis Jordan – Happiness" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  37. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alexis Jordan – Happiness" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  38. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 6, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
  39. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alexis Jordan search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  40. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  41. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". VG-lista. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  42. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  43. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Musicline.de – Alexis Jordan Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  45. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2010-11-13". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  46. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  47. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2010-11-13" UK R&B Chart.
  48. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2010-11-13" UK Singles Chart.
  49. ↑ "Club Music, Hot Dance Songs, Club Songs, Dance Club Music Charts". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  50. ↑ http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2011.htm
  51. ↑ http://top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%202011.pdf
  52. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  53. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2011". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  54. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". Recorded Music NZ.
  55. ↑ "British single certifications – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Happiness in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  56. ↑ "Happiness - Single - United Kingdom". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  57. ↑ "Happiness - EP - United Kingdom". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  58. ↑ "Happiness - EP - New Zealand". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-26.

External links

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