The Staple Singers - Heavy Makes You Happy - 1971

[marv2]

From April 14, 1971 in Canada:

[Boogiedown]

thanks Marv!

A HUGE Staples fan and this is the song that started me on that path.

Did you know it's a remake? The song's author [[ along with Jeff Barry) recorded it first:

[nathanj06]

This song popped out of the radio that Spring 1971 and I loved it right away. Very infectious. I had no idea Bobby Bloom had ever done this but it's great. Another one for The Staples later that year, Respect Yourself, was fantastic!

[marv2]

thanks Marv!

A HUGE Staples fan and this is the song that started me on that path.

Did you know it's a remake? The song's author [[ along with Jeff Barry) recorded it first:

No, I didn't know. I had never heard any other versions. Thanks Boogie.

[marv2]

This song popped out of the radio that Spring 1971 and I loved it right away. Very infectious. I had no idea Bobby Bloom had ever done this but it's great. Another one for The Staples later that year, Respect Yourself, was fantastic!

Oh yeah, "Respect Yourself" was a jam! I heard it a lot that year.

[Sotosound]

thanks Marv!

A HUGE Staples fan and this is the song that started me on that path.

Did you know it's a remake? The song's author [[ along with Jeff Barry) recorded it first:

That’s Bobby Bloom!

[marv2]

They were singing live with real musicians backing them. I never thought I would see the day where those two facts would be unusual as it is today.

[splanky]

Bobby Bloom wrote and first recorded the song I'm learning today but this another example
of an original not being everyone's favorite rendition of a tune. The Staple Singers took that
song to the bank. It's like after Jimi Hendrix covered Hey Joe how many people know or
remember who the hell Billy Roberts even was. Of course over the years I myself have liked
more than one popular song I didn't know was a cover of a relatively obscure r&b tune...
Melissa Manchester's Don't Cry Out Loud comes to mind. I was well into my 50's before
I heard the original by, of all people, The Moments. My head came off....

[Eargasm]

Empress and the Guys did a great version too !...

[marv2]

Bobby Bloom wrote and first recorded the song I'm learning today but this another example
of an original not being everyone's favorite rendition of a tune. The Staple Singers took that
song to the bank. It's like after Jimi Hendrix covered Hey Joe how many people know or
remember who the hell Billy Roberts even was. Of course over the years I myself have liked
more than one popular song I didn't know was a cover of a relatively obscure r&b tune...
Melissa Manchester's Don't Cry Out Loud comes to mind. I was well into my 50's before
I heard the original by, of all people, The Moments. My head came off....

I know what you mean. Just this week I learned that Grand Funk Railroad "Some Kind of Wonderful" is a cover by an obscure R&B band called "The Soulful Six" out of Rochester, NY.

[marv2]

Empress and the Guys did a great version too !...

Nice, but just a tad bit too fast in my opinion. Thank you Eargasm.

[Boogiedown]

Nice, but just a tad bit too fast in my opinion. Thank you Eargasm.

that's what I was thinking too. sounds like a rushed "live" rendition ...

Never knew this version existed . From a rejects compilation LP put out by Motown after they had left the label. Johnny Bristol at the helm.

[Boogiedown]

BTW :
Just what does
"heavy makes you happy"

mean ??

never quite understood the connotation ....

[marv2]

BTW :
Just what does
"heavy makes you happy"

mean ??

never quit understood the connotation ....

Don't laugh, but when I first heard it back in 1971, I thought they were saying "If It makes you happy".

[Eargasm]

Thank God they did release that " Rejects Compilaton " it had some AWESOME tracks on it !... last year I saw the Empress sing this at 4 of her UK shows !.... a dream come true for me to see her perform this live !....

[Boogiedown]

Don't laugh, but when I first heard it back in 1971, I thought they were saying "If It makes you happy".

ha! Makes sense! that's exactly what they should be singing!!

[splanky]

I'm not exactly sure what "Heavy Makes You Happy" means in the context of Bloom's song
but I know what it means to me....

[Boogiedown]

I'm not exactly sure what "Heavy Makes You Happy" means in the context of Bloom's song
but I know what it means to me....

please tell, splanky !

[Boogiedown]

I suspect that the message is a religious one. Religion is a heavy topic , one that can make you happy ....

[Boogiedown]

I'm liking that Gladys version a lot more upon further listen ... a lot of production ... & the wah wah ... scratchin' guitar.... ....[[who is imitating Pops?)

Upon further listen to all three , I've become aware of something very curious ... it has to do with what is actually being sung in the song [[something I've incorrectly sung [[!) when singing along all these many years). As a tease I'll leave it at that , and see if anyone else has caught it [[or cares ! lol!) ............