Rhythm and Blues

Sometimes love breaks your heart, and other times it brings joy, as is the case with this song. “A Happy Man” was  written by group member Casey Spencer.  In 1965, it went to #26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on the R&B Chart.  The Jive Five began as a vocal harmony doo wop group. They formed in the late 1950s with Eugene Pitt, Jerome Hannah, Richard Harris, Thurmon Prophet, and Norman Johnson. The group found success in 1961 with “My True Story” on Beltone Records. The song, which was written by Eugene Pitt and Oscar Waltzer,  reached #1 on the R&B chart and  #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Over the years,  with plenty of membership changes , they continued to have charting songs, notably in the soul genre, and  numerous TV appearances. They created and sang the a cappella signature sound of Nickelodeon, the popular  cable television channel network for children.  For “A Happy Man,” members were Eugene Pitt, Norman Johnson, Andre Coles, Casey Spencer, and Beatrice Best.

Here are the lyrics:

“I’m a happy man
I’m a happy man
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, my baby
You look so good
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, my baby
Just like I knew you would
Tonight when we go out
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m feelin’ so proud
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Walking hand in hand
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Down the lovers lane
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)

And I-I-I love you, baby
I love you so
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, my baby
This you know
‘Cause I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Yeah, baby, I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Whoa, yeah
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Come on down and sing the song
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Sing it just-a one more time
(Happy man, happy man)
And when we take a stroll
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Tonight if it’s cold
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
We’ll cuddle up close
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
And baby, baby, baby
I’ll kiss you baby

We’ll be as one
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I love my baby
We’ll have some fun
‘Cause I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Yeah, baby, I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Whoooooa, yeah
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Come on down and sing the song
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Sing it just-a one more time
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
Whoooooa, yeah
(Happy man, happy man, happy man)
I’m a happy man”

For another song by The Jive Five: “My True Story,” which is on The Daily Doo Wop (Pass the Paisley’s sister site).

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “I’m a Happy Man” by The Jive Five.