We have a collection of 45 arrangements for Traditional - Happy Birthday to You
Did you know "Happy Birthday to You" was originally a classroom greeting song called "Good Morning to All"? Learn!
"Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most widely recognized and sung songs in the world, and it has an interesting history:
Origins: The melody for "Happy Birthday to You" comes from the song "Good Morning to All," which was composed by Patty Hill, a kindergarten teacher, and her sister Mildred J. Hill, a pianist and composer. They wrote the song in the late 19th century.
Original Lyrics: The original lyrics of "Good Morning to All" were intended to be used as a simple greeting in kindergarten. The lyrics were "Good morning to you, good morning to you, good morning dear children, good morning to all."
Birthday Adaptation: Over time, people began to adapt the lyrics to fit various occasions, including birthdays. The familiar "Happy Birthday to You" lyrics we know today first appeared in print in a songbook in 1924.
Copyright Controversy: The song was copyrighted in 1935, and for decades, Warner/Chappell Music claimed to hold the copyright, charging royalties for its use. However, in 2016, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Warner/Chappell's claim to the copyright was not valid, making "Happy Birthday to You" a public domain song in the United States.
Most Recognizable Song: According to the Guinness World Records, "Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most recognized songs in the English language. It's sung by people of all ages and backgrounds around the world.
Multi-Lingual Celebrations: While the lyrics are typically sung in English, "Happy Birthday to You" is often sung in various languages around the world, with different versions of the lyrics. However, the melody remains universally recognizable.
Cultural Variations: Different cultures have their own unique birthday traditions and songs. For example, in Mexico, they sing "Las Mañanitas," and in Japan, "Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu" is a common birthday song.
Public Performances: Due to its historical copyright restrictions, "Happy Birthday to You" was not commonly performed in public without permission. However, after the copyright was declared invalid in 2016, it became free for public use, and its performance at restaurants and other venues increased.
Celebrity Renditions: "Happy Birthday to You" has been sung by countless celebrities at various events, often with their own unique twists. Some famous renditions include Marilyn Monroe's sultry version for President John F. Kennedy and Stevie Wonder's soulful rendition.
Popular in Space: "Happy Birthday to You" has been sung in space multiple times. Astronauts have celebrated their colleagues' birthdays aboard spacecraft and the International Space Station, making it one of the few songs to have been performed beyond Earth's atmosphere.
"Happy Birthday to You" has a fascinating history and remains an enduring and beloved part of birthday celebrations worldwide.