Happiness (Elliott Smith song)

"Happiness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was released on February 8, 2000 by record label DreamWorks as the first single from his fifth studio album, Figure 8. It was also released on 7-inch vinyl by Cavity Search.

"Happiness"
Single by Elliott Smith
from the album Figure 8
A-side"Happiness (Single Version)"
B-side"Son of Sam (Acoustic Version)"
ReleasedFebruary 8, 2000
Label
Songwriter(s)Elliott Smith
Producer(s)
Elliott Smith singles chronology
"Baby Britain"
(1999)		 "Happiness"
(2000)		 "Son of Sam"
(2000)

Recording and content

Jon Brion sings backup vocals on "Happiness".

On early recording reels, the song was labeled as "Tom's Start".

Release

"Happiness" was released on February 8, 2000[1] by record label DreamWorks as the first single from his fifth studio album, Figure 8. The single did not chart in the United States.[2]

The single version is a slightly different mix of the song that was released on the album. On Figure 8, the track is labeled as "Happiness/The Gondola Man" due to the short instrumental that plays after "Happiness" ends. On the single, an entirely different instrumental follows the song. The instrumental that follows on the single is a reversed clip of "Take a Fall", a song recorded in Smith's early duo called A Murder of Crows. This song shouldn't be confused with other Smith songs "Taking a Fall" and "How to Take a Fall".

Critical reception

CMJ New Music Report wrote, "While the tune's production recalls the shimmer of XO, it possesses curiously upbeat energy atypical for Smith".[1]

Track listing
  1. "Happiness (Single Version)"
  2. "Son of Sam (Acoustic Version)"

Personnel
  • Elliott Smith – vocals, guitars, bass, drums, piano, organ, marching drum
  • Jon Brion – backing vocals

References
  1. Jacks, Kelso (February 28, 2000). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report: 26. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  2. "Elliott Smith – Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
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