We have a collection of 45 arrangements for Traditional - Happy Birthday
Did you know "Happy Birthday" was once copyrighted for $2 million? Learn!
"Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most well-known and frequently sung songs in the world, and it has an interesting history and some fun facts associated with it:
Origins in 19th Century: "Happy Birthday to You" is believed to have originated from the song "Good Morning to All," which was composed by Patty Hill and her sister Mildred J. Hill in the late 19th century. It was initially written as a greeting song for teachers to sing to their students.
Change to "Happy Birthday": The lyrics we commonly associate with the song were adapted from "Good Morning to All" to the now-famous "Happy Birthday to You" in the early 20th century.
Copyright Controversy: The song was under copyright for many years, and Warner/Chappell Music claimed to own the rights to it. This led to them collecting royalties from anyone who used the song in a commercial setting. However, in 2016, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Warner/Chappell's claim to the copyright was not valid, declaring "Happy Birthday to You" to be in the public domain.
Most Recognizable Song: "Happy Birthday to You" holds the Guinness World Record as the most recognized song in the English language.
Multilingual Singing: The song has been translated into numerous languages around the world, making it a truly global celebration song.
Birthday Tradition: Singing "Happy Birthday to You" is a longstanding tradition at birthday parties. It's often accompanied by the presentation of a birthday cake with candles, and the person celebrating their birthday makes a wish before blowing out the candles.
Variations: Over the years, there have been countless variations and parodies of the song created for different occasions and in different styles. From humorous adaptations to heartfelt renditions, the song's adaptability is a testament to its enduring popularity.
Public Domain Status: As of 2016, "Happy Birthday to You" is considered to be in the public domain in the United States, meaning it can be freely used without the need for royalty payments.
International Traditions: While "Happy Birthday to You" is a staple in many countries, other cultures have their own unique birthday songs and customs. For example, in Mexico, the "Las Mañanitas" song is commonly sung on birthdays.
Recorded in Space: "Happy Birthday to You" has even been performed in space. In 2005, NASA astronauts celebrated the song's 100th anniversary by singing it to space shuttle Discovery pilot Eileen Collins.
This iconic song has a rich history and continues to be a source of joy and celebration for people around the world.