We have a collection of 77 arrangements for Traditional - Happy Birthday
Who originally composed the melody for Happy Birthday? 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 traditional birthday song:
Origin: The melody of "Happy Birthday to You" is believed to have originated from a 19th-century song called "Good Morning to All." The lyrics were originally "Good morning to you, good morning to you, good morning dear children, good morning to all."
Authors: The song's lyrics, as we know them today, were written by Patty Hill and her sister Mildred J. Hill, who were both American kindergarten teachers. They published the song in the early 1890s.
Copyright: "Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most copyrighted songs in the world. Warner/Chappell Music claimed ownership of the song's copyright for many years, which generated substantial royalties. However, in 2016, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Warner/Chappell's claim to the song's copyright was not valid, making it a public domain song in the United States.
International Popularity: "Happy Birthday to You" is sung in countless languages around the world, with various translations of the lyrics. It is a universal birthday song.
Singing Traditions: While the song is commonly associated with birthdays, the lyrics and melody have been adapted for other celebratory occasions in various cultures. For example, the Russian version is used to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Recordings: "Happy Birthday to You" has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, including The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and Frank Sinatra, among others.
Longest Happy Birthday Singing: The longest continuous singing of "Happy Birthday to You" is a record recognized by Guinness World Records. In 2015, a group of people in India sang it for 30 hours and 2 minutes.
Public Domain Status: As of 2016, the song is considered to be in the public domain in the United States, meaning that it is no longer subject to copyright restrictions.
Licensing Fees: Before it entered the public domain, Warner/Chappell Music was estimated to have earned millions of dollars annually in licensing fees from the song's use in films, TV shows, and public performances.
Alternative Lyrics: Many people make up their own humorous or personalized lyrics when singing "Happy Birthday to You," adding a fun twist to the traditional song.
"Happy Birthday to You" is a timeless classic that continues to bring joy to people of all ages during birthday celebrations worldwide.