"Happy Days" is a song written by

Norman Gimbel Norman Gimbel (November 16, 1927 – December 19, 2018) was an American lyricist of popular songs, television and movie themes. He wrote the lyrics for songs including "Killing Me Softly with His Song", " Ready to Take a Chance Again" (both with ...

and Charles Fox. It is the theme of the 1970s television series ''

Happy Days ''Happy Days'' is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most succ ...

''. It can be heard during the TV show's opening and closing credits as it runs in perpetual rerun syndication. "Happy Days" was first recorded in 1974 by

Jim Haas James Edwin Haas was an American singer who performed vocals for many artists including Andy Williams, Neil Diamond, Jackson Browne, David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Pink Floyd, and Barry Manilow. Leif Garrett, after Haas' death, explained that in ...

with a group of other

session singers Session musicians, studio musicians, or backing musicians are musicians hired to perform in recording sessions or live performances. The term sideman is also used in the case of live performances, such as accompanying a recording artist on a t ...

for the first two seasons. These versions were used only during the closing credits of Seasons 1 and 2, with an updated take on "

Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was record ...

" by

Bill Haley and His Comets Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Plac ...

used as the opening theme. "Happy Days" was re-recorded by

Pratt & McClain Pratt & McClain was an American musical duo known originally called Brother Love consisting of Jerry McClain and Truett Pratt, along with various sidemen. They scored a '' Billboard'' No. 5 hit in 1976 with "Happy Days", the theme to the sitc ...

at ABC Recording Studios in Los Angeles in December 1975 with different lyrics for both the opening and closing credits for Seasons 3 through 10, with the duo including the song on their 1976 album ''Pratt & McClain Featuring Happy Days'' and releasing it as a single. Bobby Arvon recorded an updated version in 1983 for Season 11, with the same lyrics as the version used for seasons 3-10. Pratt & McClain's album version of the song peaked at No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, No. 7 on the

Easy Listening Easy listening (including mood music) is a popular music genre and radio format that was most popular during the 1950s to 1970s. It is related to middle-of-the-road (MOR) music and encompasses instrumental recordings of standards, hit songs, n ...

chart, and No. 31 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. In Canada, "Happy Days" reached No. 3.RPM Top Singles, June 12, 1976
/ref> Australian band

Silver Studs Silver Studs was an Australian rock 'n' roll band formed in 1975 by Lance Reynolds, Keith Reed and Gino Latorre. The group released one studio album which peaked at number 26 on the Australian charts in 1976. The band renamed themselves as T ...

did a rendition of the theme for their debut album. It became their biggest hit single in Australia, reaching No. 4 in June 1976. In 2014, a re-recording of the song was used in commercials for

Target Target may refer to: Physical items * Shooting target, used in marksmanship training and various shooting sports ** Bullseye (target), the goal one for which one aims in many of these sports ** Aiming point, in field artillery, fi ...

. An instrumental version of the song plays in the background of some of the "Cooking with Sara" Flash games.

Personnel

*Jerry McClain, Truett Pratt, and later Bobby Arvon (1983-84 tv only) - lead vocals *Charles Fox, Michael Ormartian - keyboards

Chart history

Weekly charts

;Silver Studs cover

Year-end charts

References

{{authority control 1974 songs 1976 singles Happy Days Reprise Records singles Song recordings produced by Michael Omartian Songs from television series Songs with lyrics by Norman Gimbel Songs with music by Charles Fox (composer) Comedy television theme songs

Personnel

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

See also

References