Happy Together

"Happy Together" is a song written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon and recorded by American rock band the Turtles. It was released as a single, b/w "Like the Seasons", in January 1967, and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's first and only chart-topper there. The song also reached the top 20 in diverse countries, including number 2 in Canada and number 12 in the UK. It was later included on their third studio album, Happy Together (1967).

Author(s): Publisher: Code: UL1107

Main Category: Accessories Main Instrument: Ukulele

Subjects: Rock, Pop

2026-08-19

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Happy Together

Bonner and Gordon composed the song while still members of The Magicians. The lyrics, despite the joyous sound of the music, express an unrequited, imagined love. They recorded a demo consisting of a simple arrangement of acoustic guitar and hand claps. The demo was offered to and rejected by a dozen artists, due to its primitive sound.

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The Turtles, who had come from commercial and personal problems, found the demo and, thinking the song a potential hit, initially rehearsed it in live performances. They recorded their version in the Sunset Sound studio, with the newly-arrived bassist Chip Douglas arranging the horns and backing vocals.

After the song's successful release, the band were called to perform on several TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Show. Music critics have continued to praise the Turtles version for its pop qualities. It was covered by several acts, with the most successful cover being from the soft rock duo Captain & Tennille, and featured on numerous movies and TV shows. Thus, the song is inducted in the list of the most-performed songs in the United States of the 20th century by BMI in 1999, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.[6][7] Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, singers of the Turtles, were involved on various legal battles due their attempts to copyright "Happy Together" against unauthorized broadcasts, notably with Sirius XM Radio.