“If You Wanna Be Happy” by Jimmy Soul 

If you’re not familiar with “If You Wanna Be Happy” and presume, based on its title, that there’s some type of pertinent life advice is contained therein, then sorry dear reader, you’re about to be disappointed. 

Instead, it’s pretty clear that this piece is intended to be primarily comedic in nature. And what Jimmy Soul is actually advising, to men in particular, as far as achieving the goal of happiness is concerned is that they avoid “pretty” spouses and rather go for those who are “ugly”.

In reality such arguments are an ongoing debate – no, formal study even – to this day, particularly in terms of if better-looking partners are also more prone to cheating. But the vocalist is not speaking specifically to infidelity. Instead, his point of view revolves around the notion that ‘pretty women’ are the types to belittle their husbands. 

Also as presented, once they succeed in suckering a dude, if you will, into marrying them, the more appealing members of womankind then instantly ‘start to do things that will break his heart’, including presumably fraternizing. 

And in all, the lyrics serve the main purpose of depicting eye-catching babes as an unsavory lot as far as locking down is concerned, i.e. beautiful on the outside but inwardly dedicated to emasculation.

‘Ugly’ Women

‘Ugly women’, on the other hand, are the types to consistently have your food ready “on time”. And even though Jimmy doesn’t really expound on either classification of women, as the lyrics are in fact quite repetitive, what is being strongly inferred, if not forthrightly stated is that less-alluring ladies are more resolved to keeping their spouses satisfied, as in not causing them any type of drama whatsoever.

So that’s why the vocalist is putting forth, that, from his own “personal point of view”, the key to lifelong happiness is wedding such a woman instead. Yes, the homeys may taunt you for chasing after someone who’s the opposite of alluring. But the benefit of having such of a lady – i.e. a happy home life – makes it all worth it.

Jimmy Soul

Jimmy Soul (1942-1988) was a singer from North Carolina. He got his start and nickname in the southern US gospel circuit. By the looks of things, as far as his secular, formal career goes, he was akin to a one-hit wonder.

“If You Wanna Be Happy”

The only major hit of Jimmy Soul career was “If You Wanna Be Happy”. This is a song that came out in 1963. And it did so via London Records and another label called S.P.Q.R.

S.P.Q.R. was owned by one Frank Guida (1922-2007), who is credited as a co-writer of this song. Also acknowledged is a Trinidadian musician by the name of Roaring Lion (1908-1999). The reason Lion is a credited writer on this song is because the song was actually based on a song he dropped way back in 1934 called Ugly Woman. 

The final two co-writers of this piece are:

• Frank’s wife, Carmela Guida (1924-2008)
• A musician named Joseph Royster

It should be noted that Royster mysteriously disappeared in 1973.

This song was a Billboard Hot 100 chart topper, achieving that feat in May of 1963.

“If You Wanna Be Happy” has appeared in a handful of movies, perhaps most notable on the list being Cher’s 1990 outing Mermaids. 

It was also referenced on an 1984 episode of the popular NBC series Cheers. 

The song has also been covered by a few artists throughout the years, including the Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman in 1976.