I mentioned yesterday that Melanie was accompanied by The Edwin Hawkins Singers on her 1970 hit "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)," and got to thinking that maybe some of you might not be familiar with Mr. Hawkins, who was a gospel musician, pianist, choir director, composer and arranger partly responsible for the Urban Contemporary Gospel sound. He was best known for his arrangement of the 18th Century hymn by Phillip Doddridge, "Oh Happy Day." It was released in 1968 in international markets and 1969 in the US. It reached #1 in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, #2 in Canada, Ireland and the UK, and #4 in the US, and is now a gospel standard.
Song of the Day: Edwin Hawkins Singers, “Oh Happy Day”
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This is a great song and one that I really enjoy
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It’s simple but meaningful and a great comfort in times of trouble.
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Oh happy days! I haven’t heard that song in ages.
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Great song, no matter what your religious affiliation. Something about a Black choir that makes music so good…
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I remember singing this in church as a kid.
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We still do. It’s a classic.
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I don’t know if we do this one… I go to a small 18 member at most Church…this one I don’t remember but I’m going to see if it’s in our book.
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I like this song! Definitely has that gospel sound.
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It was a breath of fresh air when it came out, and still wonderful 50 years later.
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