If It Makes You Happy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"If It Makes You Happy"
Sheryl Crow, If It Makes You Happy.png
Single by Sheryl Crow
from the album Sheryl Crow
B-side"I'm Going to Be a Wheel Someday"
ReleasedSeptember 3, 1996 (1996-09-03)
GenreRock
Length
  • 5:23 (album version)
  • 4:30 (radio edit)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow singles chronology
"Can't Cry Anymore"
(1995) 		"If It Makes You Happy"
(1996) 		"Everyday Is a Winding Road"
(1996)
Audio sample
Menu
0:00
  • file
  • help
Music video
"If It Makes You Happy" on YouTube

"If It Makes You Happy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, released as the lead single from her 1996 eponymous album in September 1996. The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards. The song ties with her 1998 single, "My Favorite Mistake", as her third-highest-charting single in the United Kingdom, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. It also peaked at number one in Canada and was her final top-ten solo hit in the United States, making it to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2003, Q Magazine ranked "If It Makes You Happy" at number 663 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".[1]

Critical reception[]

Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that Crow "continues to stay near the top of the premier league of slightly off the-wall female solo singers with what seems a near-certain Top 10 hit."[2] Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet described the song as "shuffling trad-rock".[3] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it "weary"[4] and "sexily exhausted".[5] Larry Flick from Billboard stated that it is a "straight-ahead rocker that has far more bite than anything on her Grammy-lavished debut." He added that "seemingly endless touring has given her voice a sharp rasp, which benefits the song's ironic lyrics and holds up strong against the track's crunchy guitars." He also noted the track's "edgy nature" and "subtle but unmistakable hook."[6] The Daily Vault's Sean McCarthy stated that a "dirty guitar riff is established, complimenting Crow's gritty swagger."[7] Another Swedish newspaper, Göteborgs-Tidningen called it "darkly moody", and picked it as one of two favourites from the album.[8] Rachel Cohen from The Heights said "the familiar more expressive Crow of the first album is evident" on the song, noting it as "one of the most peppy" on the Sheryl Crow album.[9] People described it as "country-tinged".[10]

Chart performance[]

The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 44 on the week of September 21, 1996.[11] It entered the top 20 on October 19, 1996,[12] and fluctuated within the top 20 for roughly three months before reaching its peak of number 10 on January 25, 1997.[13] The song spent a total of 27 weeks on the Hot 100.[13] In Canada, on September 2, 1996, "If It Makes You Happy" debuted at number 78 on the RPM Top Singles chart.[14] Ten issues later, on November 11, it topped the chart for a single week.[15] It also reached number one on RPM's Adult Contemporary and Alternative 30 listings.[16][17]

In Europe, the single debuted and peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Crow's second top-ten single in the United Kingdom.[18] The British Phonographic Industry certified the song silver in January 2021 for sales and streaming figures of over 200,000.[19] It reached the top 40 in France, Iceland, and Sweden, reaching numbers 29, 17, and 20, respectively, and also charted in Flanders, Germany, and Switzerland.[20][21] On the Eurochart Hot 100, "If It Makes You Happy" settled at a peak of number 56.[22] It additionally reached the top 20 in Australia, rising to number 20 on November 17, 1996,[23] and in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 12 one week later.[24]

Music video[]

Two music videos for the song were made; both were directed by Keir McFarlane.[citation needed] The first was shot entirely in black-and-white. It begins with Crow in an apartment, donning a black raincoat. She then walks down a city street, rides a subway, is shown on a boardwalk, buys coffee at a mall, and then returns to the apartment. The second video was shot in color and features Crow in the Endangered Species section of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. She is dressed in a leopard-print fur coat and Yves Saint Laurent leather boots.

Impact and legacy[]

Q Magazine placed "If It Makes You Happy" at number 663 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever" in 2003.[25]

Slant Magazine listed it at number 92 in their ranking of "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s" in 2011, writing, "After allegations that she was simply a pretty mouthpiece for her Tuesday Night Music Club, Sheryl Crow had a lot to prove with her sophomore effort. Originally conceived as a country song by co-writer Jeff Trott, the self-produced lead single, “If It Makes You Happy”, was a pointed departure from the gin-soaked roots-pop of Tuesday Night Music Club, starting with its heavy electric guitar riff and plodding drum beat, but not ending there. Crow’s lyrics are a reflection on the massive success of her debut, with her stint at the muddy, mosquito-ridden Woodstock ’94 festival serving as a metaphorical narrative for the stinging accusations and acrimony that followed."[26]

Track listings[]

Charts and certifications[]

Release history[]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States August 27, 1996 (1996-08-27) Contemporary hit radio A&M [52]
September 3, 1996 (1996-09-03)
  • CD
  • cassette
 [53][54]
United Kingdom September 9, 1996 (1996-09-09) [55]

See also[]

  • List of RPM number-one singles of 1996 (Canada)
  • List of RPM Rock/Alternative number-one singles (Canada)

References[]

  1. ^ "Q – 1001 best songs ever (2003)".
  2. ^ Aberdeen Press and Journal. September 13, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Aftonbladet. August 17, 1996
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sheryl Crow – The Very Best of Sheryl Crow". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  6. ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 108 no. 34. August 24, 1996. p. 113. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  7. ^ McCarthy, Sean (August 13, 1998). "Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow". The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Göteborgs-Tidningen. September 27, 1996.
  9. ^ Cohen, Rachel (September 30, 1996). "Love is in the air for John's latest collection". The Heights. p. 28. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  10. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Sheryl Crow". People. September 23, 1996. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. ^ "The Hot 100 – Week of September 21, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  12. ^ "The Hot 100 – Week of October 19, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  14. ^ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks – September 2, 1997". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9865." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9789." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9925." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sheryl Crow: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b "British single certifications – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "Lescharts.com – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (3.10. – 9.10. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 4, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13 no. 39. September 28, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b "Australian-charts.com – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charts.nz – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  25. ^ "Q – 1001 best songs ever (2003)".
  26. ^ "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s". Slant Magazine. January 9, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  27. ^ If It Makes You Happy (US CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1874 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ^ If It Makes You Happy (US cassette single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1874 4.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ^ If It Makes You Happy (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1875 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ^ If It Makes You Happy (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1874 7.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ^ If It Makes You Happy (UK CD1 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 903-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ^ If It Makes You Happy (UK cassette single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 903-4.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ^ If It Makes You Happy (UK CD2 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 885-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ^ If It Makes You Happy (Australian CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 885-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  36. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  37. ^ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  38. ^ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  39. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  40. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  41. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  42. ^ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  43. ^ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  44. ^ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  45. ^ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  46. ^ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  47. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  48. ^ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  49. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  50. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  51. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  52. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1160. August 23, 1996. p. 34. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  53. ^ "If It Makes You Happy / Keep on Growing". Amazon. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  54. ^ "If It Makes You Happy". Amazon. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  55. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 7, 1996. p. 27. Retrieved June 30, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""