Happiness (Margo Smith Album)

''Happiness'' is a studio album by American country music artist Margo Smith. It was released in April 1977 via Warner Bros. Records and was produced by Norro Wilson. The album contained ten tracks that mixed country and pop arrangements, according to one critic. Four singles were released off the record, including the major hits "Take My Breath Away" and " Love's Explosion." The album itself also reached charting positions following its release.

Background and content

Margo Smith had her first success on with the top ten hit " There I Said It," which was issued on 20th Century Fox Records. The label folded in 1975 and Smith signed with Warner Bros. Records the following year. She soon had another top ten hit with a cover of "Save Your Kisses for Me." Like her previous album effort, Smith worked under the production of Norro Wilson, who produced ''Happiness'' between March 1976 and February 1977. All sessions took place at the Columbia Recording Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. ''Happiness'' consisted of country and pop music songs, according to Jim Worbois of Allmusic. Of its country songs was a cover of "Lovesick Blues." Of its pop songs was a cover of " My Happiness," which was made successful by Connie Francis. Four tracks were self-penned by Smith herself. Of these self-penned songs was "So Close Again," which was a duet with Norro Wilson (who also co-wrote the track).

Release and reception

''Happiness'' was released in April 1977 on Warner Bros. Records. With its release, ''Happiness'' became the fourth studio project in Smith's music career. The album was distributed as a vinyl LP and a cassette, containing five songs on each side. ''Happiness'' reached number 41 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart, becoming her third album to reach a position here. The project also included four singles released between 1976 and 1977. The first was "Take My Breath Away," which was issued in September 1976 and peaked at number seven on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart. "Love's Explosion" was released as the second single from the album in January 1977, peaking at number 12. It was followed in May 1977 by "My Weakness," which reached number 23 on the same chart. Its final single release was "So Close Again," which only peaked at number 43 on the ''Billboard'' country list. ''Happiness'' was give three stars by Jim Worbois of Allmusic, who praised its variety of country and pop songs. However, he also found that some cover songs do not fit, such as "My Happiness."

Track listings

Vinyl version

Cassette version

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of ''Happiness''.

Musical personnel

* Curt Allen – Rhythm guitar
* Tommy Allsup – Tic tac bass
* Kenny Buttrey – Drums
* Jerry Carrigan – Drums
* Pete Drake – Dobro, steel guitar
* Janie Fricke – Background vocals
* Rudi Gatlin – Background vocals
* Steve Gatlin – Background vocals
* Steve Gibson – Rhythm guitar
* Tommy Jackson – Fiddle
* Sheri Kramer – Background vocals
* Bob Moore – Bass
* Hargus "Pig" Robbins – Piano
* Billy Sanford – Guitar
* Margo Smith – Lead vocals
* The Sound Seventy Singers – Background vocals
* Pete Wade – Rhythm guitar
* Bobby Wood – Piano
* Reggie Young – Guitar

Technical personnel
* Lou Bradley – Engineer
* Brad Kanawyer – Design
* Ronnie Milsap – Sleeve notes
* Ed Thrasher – Art direction, photography
* Norro Wilson – Producer
* Bergen White – String arrangement

Charts

Release history

References

{{Margo Smith
1977 albums
Albums produced by Norro Wilson
Margo Smith albums
Warner Records albums