"Heavy Makes You Happy" was a hit song for Bobby Bloom in 1971. The song was written by Jeff Barry and Bloom, while Barry produced it. It was also a hit for The Staple Singers. Other artists who have recorded it include, The Alabama State Troupers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Claudja Barry, The Solution and Keb' Mo'.
Bobby Bloom version
| "Heavy Makes You Happy" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Bobby Bloom | |
| from the album The Bobby Bloom Album | |
| A-side | "Heavy Makes You Happy" |
| B-side | "Give 'Em a Hand" |
| Released | November 27, 1970 (1970-11-27) |
| Label | Polydor 2001-122 |
| Songwriter(s) | Barry - Bloom |
| Producer(s) | Jeff Barry |
Bobby Bloom's version was released in the UK by Polydor Records in 1970, in support of the album, The Bobby Bloom Album.
A promo film for the song was aired on BBC1 Top of the Pops on Thursday 21 January 1971.
Charts
"Heavy Makes You Happy" debuted in the Melody Maker Pop 30 chart at No. 28 for the week of January 30, 1971. On the main UK singles chart, it peaked at No. 31 on January 31.
Staple Singers version
| "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Staple Singers | ||||
| from the album The Staple Swingers | ||||
| B-side | "Love is Plentiful" | |||
| Released | November 1970 (1970-11) | |||
| Recorded | 1970 | |||
| Studio | Rhythm recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:58 | |||
| Label | Stax STA-0083 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jeff Barry, Bobby Bloom | |||
| Producer(s) | Al Bell | |||
| The Staple Singers singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Heavy Makes You Happy" was recorded by the Staple Singers. It was a hit on the Billboard and Cash Box charts. Backed with a Bettye Crutcher, Bobby Manuel composition, "Love is Plentiful", the single was released on Stax STA 0083 in November, 1970.
Airplay
The song had some airplay at Top 40 station WQXI in Atlanta for the week of February 6, 1971.
Charts
"Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)" debuted at no. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on the week of February 6, 1971. It peaked at no. 27 on April 10 and spent a total of 12 weeks in the chart.
It debuted at no. 33 in the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart on the week of February 6. It peaked at no. 6 on April 3 and spent a total of 13 weeks in the chart.
It debuted at no. 93 in the Cash Box Top 100 chart on February 20, 1971. It peaked no. 24 on April 3, and spent a total of ten weeks in the chart.
Other versions
1970s
The Alabama State Troupers released a live version of the song in 1972. It was recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips and released in 1973, Claudja Barry recorded a version which was in 1978.
1980s to 2000s
The Solution recorded a version, released in 2007, and Keb Mo released his live version in 2017.
External links
- Discogs - Bobby Bloom – Heavy Makes You Happy
- Bobby Bloom - Topic channel, Jul 31, 2018 - Heavy Makes You Happy (audio)
- CBC channel, Nov 15, 2018 - Pop-up Video: The Staple Singers perform 'Heavy Makes You Happy' | From the Vaults (video)
- The Solution - Topic channel, Nov 9, 2014 - Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) (audio)
- Mary Connolly - Topic channel, Sep 30, 2014 - Heavy Makes You Happy (audio)
References
- Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Bobby Bloom, Heavy Makes You Happy
- TV Pop Diaries - 1971, Thursday 21st January 1971
- Melody Maker, January 30, 1971 - Page 2 Melody Maker Pop 30 28 (-) HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY
- Official Charts - HEAVY MAKES YOU HAPPY by BOBBY BLOOM
- ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 577. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
- #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
- Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
- Discogs - The Staple Singers – Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) / Love Is Plentiful
- Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
- Second Hand Songs - Heavy Make You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) by The Staple Singers
- Cash Box, February 6, 1971 - Page 24 New Additions to Radio Playlists – Primary Markets
- Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 76 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending Feb. 6, 1971, THIS WEEK 97, LAST WEEK _, Weeks On Chart 1
- #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Hot 100
- Billboard, February 6, 1971 - Page 42 Soul, BEST SELLING Billboard Soul Singles, This Week 33, Last Week _, Weeks on Chart 5
- #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom), Soul Singles
- Cash Box, February 20, 1971 - Page 4 Cash Box TOP 100, 93, _, _
- #RecordsAndCharts - Cash Box chart run Staple Singers Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom, Cash Box)
- Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS
- Second Hand Songs - Heavy Makes You Happy by Bobby Bloom, VERSIONS