We have a collection of 45 arrangements for Traditional - Happy Birthday
What legal battles were fought over Happy Birthday copyrights? Learn!
"Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most recognizable and frequently sung songs in the world, but there are some interesting facts about this traditional tune that you may not be aware of:
Copyright Controversy: "Happy Birthday to You" was, for many years, under copyright protection, making it one of the most lucrative songs in history. However, in 2016, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Warner/Chappell Music's claim to the copyright was not valid, effectively placing the song in the public domain. This decision was significant, as it had been a subject of copyright disputes for decades.
Melody Origins: The melody for "Happy Birthday to You" is believed to have been borrowed from an older song called "Good Morning to All," which was written by Patty Hill and her sister Mildred J. Hill in the late 19th century. The original lyrics were "Good morning to all, good morning to all, good morning dear children, good morning to all." Over time, the lyrics evolved into the birthday song we know today.
Oldest Copyrighted Song: Before the copyright ruling in 2016, "Happy Birthday to You" held the title of the world's oldest copyrighted song. The song's copyright dates back to 1935, when it was registered by the Summy Company, which later became Warner/Chappell Music.
Cultural Impact: "Happy Birthday to You" has been translated into numerous languages and is sung in countries all around the world. Its ubiquity and simplicity make it a universal way to celebrate birthdays.
Guinness World Record: In 2014, a group of 1,463 people in Tel Aviv, Israel, set a Guinness World Record for the largest "Happy Birthday" singing ensemble. This massive gathering of people sang the song together to celebrate the city's 105th birthday.
Public Domain: As mentioned earlier, the song is now considered to be in the public domain in the United States after the 2016 copyright decision. This means that anyone can freely use, perform, and reproduce it without having to pay royalties.
Commercial Use: Prior to the copyright ruling, businesses and filmmakers often had to pay significant fees to use "Happy Birthday to You" in their projects. Now, it can be used without these copyright-related costs.
Popular in Space: "Happy Birthday to You" has even been sung in space. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have celebrated their own birthdays and those of their colleagues with renditions of the song.
Recordings and Performances: "Happy Birthday to You" has been recorded by countless artists and musicians in various styles, from rock to classical. It remains a popular choice for birthday celebrations.
Lyrics Variations: While the most commonly sung lyrics are "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear [name], happy birthday to you," there are many variations and humorous parodies of the song, often personalized to suit the occasion or the person being celebrated.
"Happy Birthday to You" continues to be a timeless and cherished part of birthday celebrations around the world, and its history and cultural significance make it a fascinating subject of study and discussion.