Released 7 March 1980 Recorded 1980 Length 3:48 | Format 7" vinyl Genre Post-punk | |
B-side "Drop Dead/Celebration" | ||
"Happy House" is a song by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees. The song was written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and was released in 1980 by record label Polydor as the first single from the band's third album, Kaleidoscope.
Contents
Background and recording
"Happy House" and the Kaleidoscope album marked a change in musical direction for Siouxsie and the Banshees due to the arrival of two new musicians: drummer Budgie, previously of The Slits, and guitarist John McGeoch, previously of Magazine.
Budgie, who was interested in African polyrhythms, used a reggae vibe on the song, while McGeoch played both atmospheric and edgy guitars. Siouxsie stated that the band almost invented a new sound with this single: it was "Banshees – phase two".
When asked if "Happy House" was a cynical song, Siouxsie replied: "It is sarcastic. In a way, like television, all the media, it is like adverts, the perfect family whereas it is more common that husbands beat their wives. There are mental families really but the projection is everyone smiling, blond hair, sunshine, eating butter without being fat and everyone perfect".
Release
"Happy House" was released on 7 March 1980 by record label Polydor as the first single from the band's third studio album, Kaleidoscope. The single became the band's second top 20 hit, peaking at number 17 in the UK Singles Chart.
Music video
The video was set in an studio "cartoon house" made to look "fun and happy", reflecting the sarcastic lyrics. Siouxsie explored the house, dressed in a Harlequin outfit while the band supported her, playing their instruments in the living room. Despite the very distinctive guitar riff (played by McGeoch) that is arguably the centrepiece of the song, McGeoch does not feature in the video. Instead Siouxsie occasionally mimics playing the riff with a ukulele, with Severin on bass and Budgie on drums playing along in the background.
Cover versions
The song was later revisited by several acts. The Italian dance act Cappella had a hit single in 1993 with the Eurodance song "U Got 2 Know", which used the distinctive riff from "Happy House". Cappella was later sued for failure to pay publishing royalties and lost.
In 2000, electronic rock band Mindless Self Indulgence sampled the opening riff on their single "Bitches", from the album Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy.
In 2003, European band Ginger Ale covered the song on their debut album.
In 2011, The Weeknd sampled several elements of the original version in his song "House of Balloons" from the mixtape album of the same name. Pitchfork wrote in their review:
"Happy House" is worked into a softly anthemic slow-burn number full of diva-ish vocals tied to a chilly beat. John McGeoch's riff remains untouched and runs throughout most of the track, giving it a filmy pop feel that periodically peaks with a generous swipe from the "Happy House" chorus".