"The Happening" is a 1967 song recorded by Motown artists The Supremes. It served as the theme song of the 1967 Columbia Pictures film The Happening, and was released as a single by Motown at the time of the film's release that spring. While the movie flopped, the song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in May,[2] becoming The Supremes' tenth number 1 single in the United States,[3] peaking in the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart at number 6, and in the top 5 in the Australian Pop Chart and in the Dutch Pop Chart.
It has been widely believed, and reported[4][5] that the instrumental track was recorded in Los Angeles using members of the Wrecking Crew, particularly drummer Hal Blaine. The song was authored by Los Angeles–based writer Frank DeVol, and sessions for the single were cut in a Los Angeles studio. Two reports suggest all or part of the final released single was recorded in Detroit. Supremes biographer Mark Ribowsky wrote in 2008 that "early tracks [were laid down] in L.A." but "couldn't catch the groove . . .needing a stronger, funkier bottom and backbeat." Ribowsky maintains that "they started all over again in Studio A in March [1967]."[6] However, Chris Jisi, writing in 2009, notes the track was cut in Los Angeles but was sent back to re-record the bass line with Motown regular James Jamerson, and the final version contained at minimum his contribution.[6][7]
Billboard described the single as being "in the good-time rhythm music bag" as "the trio changes pace with this
classy performance of the new film theme."[10]Cash Box called the single a "light, bouncy, up-tempo, romp" that is a "sure fire chart topper."[11]Record World described it as "a bright, bouncy, lively number about the fickle finger of fate and love."[12]
There is a Spanish version of the song recorded by the Spanish group Greta y los Garbo in 1990 entitled ¡Menuda fiesta! The song is included in an album of the same name and It was a huge commercial success in Spain.
^ abChris Jisi (December 1, 2009). "Secrets of the Motown Vault". Bass Player magazine. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
^Joseph Murrells (1984). "THE SUPREMES". Million Selling Records from the 1900s to the 1980s: An Illustrated Directory. London: B.T. Batsford. p. 251. ISBN0-7134-3843-6.
Chronology(The band's name history: The Primettes 1959–1961 / The Supremes 1961–1967 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1967–1970 / The Supremes 1970 / Diana Ross & The Supremes 1970 / The Supremes 1970–)