The Blades of Grass - Happy (1967)

Composed by two high school students from Maplewood, New York and two more from South Orange, New Jersey, this band was unique in the fact that they were one of the few psychedelic bands to be from the east coast of the United States. Originally known as The Toasters, and then The Furnace Men, half of their members were kicked out of their high school after dedicating their song, “I Can’t Stand to Look at Your Ugly Face,” to the faculty of the school during a battle of the bands competition. They released one album, Are Not for Smoking, in 1967 and were the opening act for The Doors, Neil Diamond, The Dave Clark Five, and Van Morrison. At the time, most psychedelic acts were coming from the west coast of the United States, primarily from San Francisco, sporting long, stereotypical-type hair. This band, in comparison, was clean cut with relatively short hair.

This song was recorded and released on the east coast by the band in 1967. Unknown to them, another group, The Sunshine Company, was also recording and releasing the track on the west coast. Since The Sunshine Company’s version was an exact replica of the demo each group received, The Blades of Grass felt that they had the superior version, since they felt they had improved upon the demo. Although The Blades of Grass version did better on the east coast, it was The Sunshine Company’s version which rose higher on the national charts, devastating the group.



The Blades of Grass - Happy (1967)

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Lyrics:

Happy is the day I found you
Happy is the world around you
I'm never sad as long as
We're together
My happiness is you

Happy is the way I love you
Happy is just thinking of you
I found a lifetime of pleasure
A hidden treasure
In the happiness of you

You're the girl I want to marry
You're the girl that makes (You're the girl that makes)
(You're the girl that makes) Me
(Makes me happy) Happy (Makes me happy)

Happy is our lives together
Happy is our love forever
What more in life could you give me?
Happy is living all my life with you

You're the girl I want to marry
You're the girl that makes (You're the girl that makes)
(You're the girl that makes) Me
(Makes me happy) Happy (Makes me happy)

Happy is our lives together
Happy is our love forever
What more in life could you give me?
Happy is living all my life with you
You