"Happy Journey" is a song written by Charles Nowa, Fred Jacobson and Nicola Wilke. It was originally recorded by American

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

singer–songwriter Hank Locklin. In 1961, it was released as a

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

and became a major hit on the American country chart that year. It would later be released on Locklin's studio album of the same name.

Background, release and chart performance

In 1960, Hank Locklin had the biggest hit single of his career with the song "

Please Help Me, I'm Falling "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" is a 1960 song written by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and first recorded by Hank Locklin. The single was Locklin's most successful recording and was his second number one on the country charts. "Please Help Me, I'm F ...

." The song became his second to top the country charts and also crossed over into the pop market, becoming a top ten hit there. Its success elevated Locklin's career and he had further fits after the single. These further hits included " One Step Ahead of My Past" and "Happy Journey." It was composed by Charles Nowa, Fred Jacobson and Nicola Wilke. The song was recorded on September 16, 1961 at the RCA Victor Studio, located in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

. It was produced by Chet Atkins. The song's eventual B-side was recorded during the same studio session. "Happy Journey" was released as a single in November 1961 on RCA Victor Records. The single was released as a seven-inch RPM record, containing "Happy Journey" as the A-side and "I Need You Now" as the B-side. The song spent a total of 14 weeks on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' Hot Country and Western Sides chart, peaking at number ten in February 1962. The song became Locklin's eighth top ten hit on the country singles chart and his first since the number one success of "Please Help Me, I'm Falling." It was later released on Locklin's 1962 studio album, also titled '' Happy Journey.''

Track listing

7 inch vinyl single * "Happy Journey" – 2:30 * "I Need You Now" – 2:30

Chart performance

References

{{Hank Locklin 1961 singles 1961 songs Hank Locklin songs RCA Victor singles Song recordings produced by Chet Atkins