NEW * Oh Happy Day - The Edwin Hawkins Singers {Stereo} 1969

1969......#4 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #2 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 UK Singles Chart, #2 Canada, #1 Germany, #1 France
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound.
"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of the 1755 hymn by clergyman Philip Doddridge. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching No. 4 on the US Singles Chart, No. 1 in France, Germany, and the Netherlands and No. 2 on the Canadian Singles Chart, UK Singles Chart, and Irish Singles Chart. It has since become a gospel music standard.
The recording begins with a muted piano, drum, and bass, backing lead singer Dorothy Combs Morrison on the left-hand stereo channel, then alternates twice with a full-throated chorus that includes a large ensemble, rising to a crescendo with handclaps, and ending with a return to the muted sound as at the beginning. The track is notable for its clear sound given the powerful vocals and the modest equipment used to capture them. It was made at Hawkins' church, the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California.
The gospel style arrangement of the hymn "Oh, Happy Day" by Edwin Hawkins has a long pedigree. It began as a hymn, written in the mid-18th century ("O happy day, that fixed my choice"), by English clergyman Philip Doddridge (based on Acts 8:35) set to a 1704 melody by J. A. Freylinghausen. By the mid-19th century it had been given a new melody by Edward F. Rimbault, who also added a chorus, and was commonly used for baptismal or confirmation ceremonies in the UK and USA. The 20th century saw its adaptation from 3:4 to 4:4 time and this new arrangement by Hawkins, which contains only the repeated Rimbault refrain, with all of the original verses being omitted.
The B-side of the single was Hawkins' own modern arrangement of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" originally written by Charles Wesley in 1740.
Hawkins rearranged the hymn to give it more of a gospel feel, and devised a piano introduction which he said was influenced by the music of Sérgio Mendes. When the choir made the recording in 1967, lead singer Dorothy Morrison added some lyrical improvisations influenced by James Brown, which, she said, "made the song feel even more current".
Hawkins' arrangement quickly became a “standard” and has been recorded by hundreds of artists. It was included on the RIAA Songs of the Century list and won Hawkins a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1970 (performed by the Edwin Hawkins Singers).
In live performances and acoustic versions of the Nick Cave song "Deanna" (1988), portions of "Oh Happy Day" are included, revealing the inspiration for Cave's song. George Harrison has stated the song was a primary inspiration in the writing of his 1970 international hit single "My Sweet Lord."
The song has appeared in many movies, beginning with the German film Seventeen and Anxious [de] in 1970, but most notably Whoopi Goldberg's Sister Act 2, with then 14-year-old Ryan Toby singing lead. The song also appears in Big Momma's House, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, David LaChapelle's 2005 movie Rize, Robin Williams’s 2007 movie License to Wed, the 2010 biographical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures: Secretariat (played when Secretariat wins the Belmont), and Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman.
The Edwin Hawkins Singers' performance of the song at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival appears in the 2021 music documentary, Summer of Soul.
The song is regularly performed by space-rock band Spiritualized as the last song of their live sets.

[smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Welcome to Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine!
We provide classic video music clips from the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and occasionally the 1980's. We are dedicated in improving your viewing and listening pleasure by editing, restoring and remastering vintage film clips. Enjoy!

[normanvictor]

WOW!! I’m so happy I found this video!! Proud to be a Christian soldier!!

[b.millsj]

Mrs. Dorothy displayed extreme confidence, her energy was off the charts!!! In my opinion she had Angelic Beauty.

[essiejames]

February 6th, 2025 thank God for a day he has let anyone watching and listening oh happy day ❤❤❤

[BeatlesGirlKaren]

This was all over the radio "BackintheDay"!

[donnakendall]

I can feel the Spirit of The Lord everytime i hear this.

[JyntilJ]

Gloriously beautiful praise of His name.

[dancochrane]

I love this song and lyrics are beautiful but these harmonies are brilliant and inspiring. I’m old enough to remember when this was happening on the radio. Brings back memories and tears of joy. Thanks

[tbascoebuzz]

I had the privilege of hearing Dorothy Morrison sing this live at Disneylands’, ‘Night of Joy’ in the early 1970’s. A huge, once a year Gospel music festival event they used to have. I’m telling you, whether you know God or not, the emotion this song evoked while standing there in the night …hands raised in worship or clapping, had everyone smiling and crying. Then Tremaine Hawkins carried the spirited momentum when she belted out, ‘Goin’ Up Yonder’. Nobody cared about riding on any rides….Though he’s gone, Bro. Hawkins’ church is still alive and well in Oakland, Ca..

[tonystone]

Brilliant, I remember the 1st time i heard this.

[leftywright]

Dorothy Combs Morrison sang lead on this initially and on the recording. This is Shirley Miller, who took over the lead on this song when Morrison left the group. They both have wonderful contraltos, and both singers are equally stirring.

[OuryLN]

This song lead to a renaissance of Gospel music!

[RJ-luci]

It’s always a “Happy Day” when I hear this song. Thank you so much for posting this!!!❤

[michaelriordan]

I'm a Catholic used to listening to Gregorian chants and classical music but I love this, it makes me smile

[themagicsinthemusic]

AMEN!! Just wonderful. Thanks so much! What a divine treat :))

[labishop]

Love every version … every recording. I am closer to the Light every time!

[LarryGonzalez]

Boy, I needed this. Big thanks for this one, Sammy.

[nothingbutoldies]

Just a great song with many beautiful memories! Many thanks Sammy - have always a HAPPY DAY! Cheers, E.H.

[melodysanger]

REMEMBERING EDWIN HAWKINS
(AUGUST 19, 1943 – JANUARY 15, 2018)
[01/15/2024]

[kenshelden]

ALWAYS loved this song...since the 1st time I ever heard it....also love the version by Aretha & Mavis Staples