Happy

“Happy” is the fifth song by Pharrell Williams from the album G I R L and the fourth track from the album Despicable Me 2. Its length is 3:54.

Background
Williams provided vocals for French duo Daft Punk's 2013 album , on the songs "Lose Yourself to Dance" and "Get Lucky". After returning from the recording sessions in Paris, he attended a meeting with record label managers who said that the results were "spectacular" and that "Get Lucky" would be Daft Punk's next single. They also made Williams an offer to record his own album, to which he agreed quickly, "overwhelmed that someone wanted to know what's in my heart."

On December 17, 2013, it was announced that Williams had signed to Columbia Records and would release his second studio album in 2014. In a December 2013 press release, Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia Records, said "When we excitedly partnered with Pharrell in January of this year, we felt it was his time again. Since then, 'Blurred Lines' and 'Get Lucky' have defined pop music in 2013, and now we are preparing to launch Pharrell as a global solo superstar in 2014. 'Happy' is just the beginning."

Williams originally wrote the song for and felt Green's recording of the song was better, but Elektra Records, Green's record label, decided against it since he was on the verge of releasing his Christmas album, Cee Lo's Magic Moment.

Composition
"Happy" was written and produced by Williams, with backing vocals by Rhiea Dummett, Trevon Henderson, Ashley L. Lee, Shamika Hightower, Jasmine Murray and Terrence Rolle. The track was digitally edited and arranged by Andrew Coleman and Mike Larson, who also recorded it with assistance from Matthew Desrameaux at Circle House Studios in Miami, Florida. The song was later mixed by Leslie Brathwaite at Music Box Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Happy" plays for 3 minutes and 53 seconds in common time and at a tempo of 160 beats per minute. The song is in the key of F minor. Williams sings the upper notes in falsetto; his vocal range spans from F4 to C6. His singing on the track has been compared to that of.

According to music journalist Paul Tingen, "Happy" is "a mid-tempo soul song in a faux- style, with an arrangement that is, by modern standards, very sparse: programmed drums, one bass and one keyboard part, and handclaps both programmed and played, all topped off by Williams's lead vocals and a whole posse of backing vocals". Jody Rosen viewed the song as a "standout" with a "sprightly neosoul funk groove".

Credits and personnel

 * Recording
 * Recorded at Circle House Studios, Miami, Florida
 * Mixed at Music Box Studios, Atlanta, Georgia


 * Personnel
 * Pharrell Williams – lead vocals, keyboards, drums, writing, production
 * Rhea Dummett – backing vocals
 * Trevon Henderson – backing vocals
 * Ashley L. Lee – backing vocals
 * Shamika Hightower – backing vocals
 * Jasmine Murray – backing vocals
 * Terrence Rolle – backing vocals
 * Mike Larson – recording, digital editing, arrangement
 * Matthew Desrameaux – recording assistant
 * Andrew Coleman – digital editing, arrangement
 * Leslie Brathwaite – mixer
 * Amir Windom – A&R
 * Reuben Cohen – mastering