Be Happy (Mary J. Blige song)

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Not to be confused with Don't Worry, Be Happy.
"Be Happy"
Be Happy (Mary J. Blige song).jpg
CD variant used for non-US retail releases
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album My Life
ReleasedOctober 26, 1994 (1994-10-26)
Genre
Length5:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Mary J. Blige
  • Sean Combs
  • Arlene DeValle
  • Jean-Claude Olivier
Producer(s)
  • Combs
  • Poke
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"My Love"
(1994) 		"Be Happy"
(1994) 		"I'm Going Down"
(1995)
Alternative cover

"Be Happy" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Arlene DeValle, and Jean-Claude Olivier from duo Poke & Tone for her second studio album, My Life (1994), while production was helmed by Combs and Olivier. "Be Happy" contains an instrumental sample of the song "You're So Good to Me" (1979) by musician Curtis Mayfield and a re-sung vocal portion of the record "I Want You" (1976) by Marvin Gaye.

The song was released as the lead single from the album and reached number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while reaching number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming her fifth top-ten single on that particular chart, and number thirty on the UK Singles Chart. Upon its release, Blige performed the song on shows such as Friday Night Videos, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Soul Train, Teen Summit, Showtime at the Apollo among others.

There are two official music videos for "Be Happy" and both are directed by Puff Daddy.

Remixes[]

The official remix features Def Squad rapper Keith Murray, which samples 1980s hip hop artist Jimmy Spicer's "Money (Dollar Bill Ya'll)". Blige and Murray performed the remix version during Showtime at the Apollo's 200th episode that aired in early February 1996.

Critical reception[]

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a jam that deftly combines classic soul flavors with a jeep-smart urban/hip-hop spice." He added, "Her already stylish delivery has a pleasing new maturity and a warmth that will only broaden her audience. Factor in a sing-along chorus and a sweet melody, and you have the recipe for a multiformat smash."[1] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "The queen of swingbeat sings her life motto on a prominent bass pattern. For the chorus the melody gets a What's Going On twist with synth violins and all."[2] Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM Dance Update gave it four out of five, writing that "the queen of hip hop soul returns, this time utilising a massive great chunk of Curtis Mayfield's 1979 gem 'You're So Good To Me' as her accompaniment. In fact she creates new lyrics and melodies over the original instrumental and cheekily includes the instrumental on the 12-inch as a self penned bonus track! However, while this isn't in the league of 'Love No Limit with its Keni Burke sample, it's already set to be huge with fans."[3] Another editor, James Hamilton deemed it "superb" and "slinky".[4]

Charts[]

Release history[]

Region Date Label
United States October 14, 1994 MCA Records
Canada November 7, 1994
United Kingdom December 8, 1994
China January 20, 1995

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from the My Life liner notes.[11]

  • Mary J. Blige – vocals, writer
  • Sean "Puffy" Combs – executive producer, producer, writer
  • Arlene DeValle – writer
  • Andre Harrell – executive producer
  • Jean-Claude Olivier – producer, writer

References[]

  1. ^ Flick, Larry (November 5, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 95. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. January 14, 1995. p. 7. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Tee, Ralph (November 19, 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  4. ^ Hamilton, James (November 26, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 07 May 1995". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "Mary J Blige: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/19941204/114/
  8. ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  9. ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  10. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 1995". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  11. ^ Blige, Mary J. (1994). My Life (Compact Disc). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records.

External links[]

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