“Happy Together” by The Turtles
The narrator of the Turtles’ “Happy Together” is caught up in his imagination because reality is probably too hard to handle. The whole song details his wishful thinking of how happy he would be with the girl he loves though he is aware that it may never happen.
In the verses of the song, the writer expresses his undying love for this girl, stating that he doesn’t see himself with any other person. He believes that life would be perfect if he finally gets to be with this person because they are meant for each other. The writer’s mood depicts how deeply in love he is. He chooses to live in his fantasies and hope that they become real, despite his love being unreciprocated.
Facts about “Happy Together”
This is the title track from The Turtles’ third-studio album, which they put out via White Whale Records. And the official release date of the tune was on 28 January 1967.
This track reached number 1 on the US Cash Box Top Box as well as the Billboard Hot 100. And in terms of the latter it replaced a Beatles’ classic, “Penny Lane” (1967), in said position. It also marked the only time that The Turtles, themselves being from L.A., ever managed to top the Hot 100.
Just to note, “Happy Together” also made it to number 12 in the UK, number 2 in Canada and number 3 in South Africa. And the track was certified gold in the U.S., which by 1960s’ RIAA standards meant it sold at least a million copies.
This song was written by Alan Gordon (1944-2008) and Gary Bonner, a songwriting duo who at the time were affiliated with another group known as The Magicians. And it ended up in the hand of The Turtles after a number of other groups turned it down.
The producer of this track is Joe Wissert.
The Turtles’ bassist at the time, Chip Douglas, arranged this track and thus played a big role in shaping it into a hit. In fact as the story goes this song, as well as his overall work with the group, was so impressive that he was later recruited by a more-popular 1960s’ American band, The Monkees.
We have noticed that parts of the drum and guitar works in “Happy Together” sound very similar to Oasis’ hit song “Lyla” (which came out in 2005). It is so apparent Oasis were inspired by this classic during the creation of “Lyla”!
Famous Usage
This track has been covered by a bunch of other artists, some of whom, such as Captain & Tennille (1980) and The Nylons (1987), managed to get their covers onto the Hot 100.
It has also enjoyed a notable pop-media presence, being utilized in commercials for the likes of Nickelodeon, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, the NFL, Burger King and more.
Additionally it has been featured on a 1989 film co-starring Brad Pitt, which itself is entitled “Happy Together”.
Summary
Happy Together details a wishful imagination about being happy with one’s love interest when in fact that love is unreciprocated.
