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Happiness (Alexis Jordan song)

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"Happiness"
A three dimension womans on the floor and the stars are here
Single by Alexis Jordan
from the album Alexis Jordan
ReleasedSeptember 7, 2010
Genre
Length4:02
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Alexis Jordan singles chronology
"Happiness"
(2010) 		"Good Girl"
(2011)

"Happiness" is the debut single by American singer and 2006 America's Got Talent contestant 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 entirely sampled from electronic artist deadmau5's "Brazil (2nd Edit)" (released two years prior to "Happiness"). The lyrics were written by Autumn Rowe, 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. In the United States, the song topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, giving Jordan her first number one on the chart. It reached number 1 in the charts in the Netherlands (staying there for 10 weeks and eventually becoming the best song of 2011 in this chart) and has also charted in the top five in countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. An accompanying music video, directed by Aggressive, sees Jordan and her love interest meeting, separating and making up. It was noted for its similarities to Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head". The Dave Audé Club Mix was the official song of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.

Background

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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

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Alexis Jordan "Happiness" (2010)
A sample of the song, described as an "irresistible pop anthem".
Problems playing this file? See media help.
deadmau5 produced "Brazil (2nd Edit)", the instrumental of the song.

"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-edited 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

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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

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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 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

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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 (portrayed by Tom Williamson) 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 realizes 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 to reunite with her boyfriend. As the pair reconcile at the bus stop, the wind causes the car and the bus stop to slide off again, as the couple stare bewildered at the sight.[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

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Belgium (BEA)[60] Gold 15,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Platinum 600,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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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[63][64]
Australia[33] December 10, 2010 Extended play
New Zealand[65]
Taiwan December 12, 2010 Digital download
Japan January 2, 2011 Digital download
Germany March 18, 2011[34] CD single
July 15, 2011[66] CD single (Dave Audé Mix)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Alexis, Nadeska (March 26, 2010). "Alexis Jordan Snags Deal With Roc Nation". The BoomBox. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  2. ^ Slomowicz, Ron (May 11, 2010). "Song of the Day: Alexis Jordan "Happiness"". About.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Lamb, Bill (2010). "Alexis Jordan - Happiness". About.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  4. ^ Laidlow, Matthew (March 18, 2011). "Alexis Jordan - the next pop superstar?". Virgin Media. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  5. ^ "Alexis Jordan interview - Happiness". Virgin Music. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  6. ^ "This Must be Pop: Thank You for the Music: Autumn Rowe". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  7. ^ McAlpine, Fraser (November 1, 2010). "BBC - Chart Blog: Alexis Jordan - "Happiness"". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  8. ^ O'Donnell, Kevin (December 14, 2010). "Alexis Jordan: An Unlikely Club Diva". NPR Music. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Levine, Nick (November 1, 2010). "Music - Singles Review - Alexis Jordan: 'Happiness'". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  10. ^ Butler, Andrew (October 25, 2010). "SINGLE: Alexis Jordan - Happiness". Pink Paper. Millivres Prowler Limited. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  11. ^ Johnson, Emma (December 3, 2010). "Beyond Happiness: What's next for America's Got Talent star Alexis Jordan?". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  12. ^ "Top Dance Songs of 2010". AOL Radio. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  13. ^ "Dance Club/Play Songs - Week of May 15, 2010". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  14. ^ a b "Dance/Club Play Songs - Week of July 17, 2010". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  15. ^ "Dance/Club Play Songs - Week of July 24, 2010". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  16. ^ "Alexis Jordan Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  17. ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  18. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Alexis Jordan - Happiness". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  19. ^ "GFK Chart-Track - Week ending 4 November 2010". GFK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  20. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Week ending 2 December 2010". GFK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  21. ^ a b "European Hot 100 - Week of November 20, 2010". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
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  26. ^ "Meet the New Chart Topping Diva in Jay-Z's Life". Us Magazine. Us Weekly. June 2, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  27. ^ a b c "Alexis Jordan - The Making of "Happiness" Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  28. ^ "Alexis Jordan - 'Happiness'". Orange UK. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  29. ^ Ryan, Chris (June 21, 2010). "Buzzworthy Obsession: Alexis Jordan's Happiness Video". MTV. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  30. ^ a b "Happiness - Single - Ireland". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  31. ^ a b "Happiness - EP - Ireland". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  32. ^ a b "Happiness - Remix EP - United States". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  33. ^ a b "Happiness - EP - Australia". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  34. ^ a b "Happiness: Alexis Jordan: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  35. ^ "Alexis Jordan – Happiness". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  36. ^ "Alexis Jordan – Happiness" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
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  39. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alexis Jordan". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
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  41. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 2011" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  42. ^ "Alexis Jordan – Happiness" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  43. ^ "Alexis Jordan – Happiness". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  44. ^ "Alexis Jordan – Happiness". VG-lista. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  45. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  46. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  47. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  48. ^ "Alexis Jordan – Happiness". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  49. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  51. ^ "End of Year Charts 2010" (PDF). Ukchartsplus.co.uk. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  52. ^ "Club Music, Hot Dance Songs, Club Songs, Dance Club Music Charts". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  53. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart". Aria.com.au. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2011". Ultratop. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  55. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2011". Ultratop. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  56. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2011". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2011". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  58. ^ "End of Year Charts 2011" (PDF). Ukchartsplus.co.uk. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  59. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  60. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2011". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  61. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. August 21, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011.
  62. ^ "British single certifications – Alexis Jordan – Happiness". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  63. ^ "Happiness - Single - United Kingdom". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  64. ^ "Happiness - EP - United Kingdom". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  65. ^ "Happiness - EP - New Zealand". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  66. ^ "Happiness". Amazon.de. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
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