We have a collection of 45 arrangements for Traditional - Happy Birthday
Why is "Happy Birthday" one of the most famous public domain songs? Learn!
"Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most well-known and widely sung songs in the world. Here are some interesting facts about this iconic tune:
Original Title and Lyrics: The original melody for "Happy Birthday to You" was composed by two sisters, Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill, in the late 19th century. They initially wrote it as a classroom greeting song titled "Good Morning to All." The lyrics we know today as "Happy Birthday to You" were later added to fit the same melody.
Copyright Dispute: The song's copyright history is quite complex. The melody itself is generally considered to be in the public domain, but the lyrics were under copyright for many years. The copyright was held by Warner/Chappell Music, who collected royalties for the song's public performances. However, in 2016, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Warner/Chappell's claim to the copyright was not valid, effectively placing the song in the public domain.
World Record: "Happy Birthday to You" holds the Guinness World Record for the most recognized song in the English language.
Multilingual Celebrations: The song is sung in various languages around the world to celebrate birthdays, with translated lyrics that retain the melody and general sentiment.
Unexpected Profits: The song's copyright once made it a lucrative business for Warner/Chappell Music. It was reported that the company earned millions of dollars in royalties each year from the song's usage in films, TV shows, commercials, and public performances.
Usage in Films: Due to copyright issues, filmmakers often had to find creative ways to avoid using the song in their movies to avoid paying licensing fees. For instance, they might show characters singing a similar but distinct song.
Public Domain Status: As mentioned earlier, the song is now in the public domain, meaning it can be used freely without the need to pay royalties.
Celebrity Renditions: Many famous singers and musicians have performed "Happy Birthday to You" in their unique styles. It's been covered by artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to The Beatles.
Cultural Icon: The song has become a cultural touchstone, closely associated with birthday celebrations in many parts of the world.
Lawsuit Settlement: After the 2016 court ruling, Warner/Chappell agreed to a settlement that reimbursed individuals and entities who had paid licensing fees for the song over the years. The settlement also ensured that the song would remain in the public domain.
Educational Uses: Before the song's copyright status changed, schools and institutions often had to pay licensing fees to use "Happy Birthday to You" in classrooms and events.
Birthday Greeting Telegram: In the early 20th century, Western Union had a service where people could send a singing telegram to wish someone a happy birthday, often featuring the "Happy Birthday to You" song.
The history and cultural impact of "Happy Birthday to You" make it an interesting subject to explore within the context of music, copyright law, and popular celebrations.