We have a collection of 60 arrangements for Traditional - Happy Birthday
"Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most widely recognized songs in the world, but it has some interesting facts associated with it:
Original Lyrics: The song's melody is believed to have originated from the 19th-century song "Good Morning to All," written by Patty Hill and her sister Mildred J. Hill. The original lyrics were "Good morning to all, good morning to all, good morning, dear children, good morning to all."
Transformation: The lyrics we commonly associate with "Happy Birthday to You" were adapted from the original "Good Morning to All" song. The first recorded instance of "Happy Birthday to You" with the familiar lyrics is from 1924.
Copyright Controversy: For many years, "Happy Birthday to You" was under copyright protection, with Warner/Chappell Music claiming ownership. This led to them collecting royalties for its use in films, TV shows, and public performances. However, in 2016, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Warner/Chappell's copyright claim was not valid, making the song part of the public domain in the United States.
World Record: According to the Guinness World Records, "Happy Birthday to You" is the most recognized song in the English language.
International Appeal: While "Happy Birthday to You" is well-known worldwide, different countries have their own traditional birthday songs. In Germany, they sing "Viel Glück und viel Segen," while in Russia, "С днём рождения тебя" (S dnyom rozhdeniya tebya) is common. However, due to the global reach of English-language media, "Happy Birthday to You" is often used in many countries.
In Space: "Happy Birthday to You" has been sung in space several times. Astronauts have celebrated birthdays aboard the International Space Station by singing the song.
Longest Sing-Along: In 2015, 8,068 people sang "Happy Birthday to You" together in Chennai, India, setting a record for the largest-ever birthday sing-along.
Variations: There are numerous variations and parodies of "Happy Birthday to You." People often create their own humorous or personalized versions of the song for birthday celebrations.
Legal Status: While the song is now in the public domain in the United States, its copyright status may vary in other countries. It's important to check the copyright laws in your jurisdiction when using the song for commercial purposes.
Cultural Icon: "Happy Birthday to You" has become such a cultural icon that it's often sung at non-birthday events, like retirement parties, weddings, and other celebrations, simply because it's such a well-known and universally understood song for expressing joy and good wishes.