While debates rage on about the date of "I Want to be Happy" authorship, what is not debated is the unquestionable craft which is evidence in this song. Released as a vocal A-side/ instrumental B-side in 1981, this song signals an undoubted maturation in song-craft and woefully overlooked genius in recording/production execution.
Captured at the legendary Liberty Road Studios, IWtbH crackles with wit and mayhem, swirled together in a lyrical paean of authenticity, a bare dive into the absolute bliss of unfettered existence. Mastering overdubbing techniques, instrumental tracks are layered up from Williwill's sinewy bass & Johnny's frenetic drum battery, to the guitar battle between Johnny's roaring rhythm versus Williwill's solo of ferocity, and capped with another battle where Johnny's raw-throated wail vies for attention against Williwill's time-keeping tambourine. A tale of hilarity from the session goes: Williwill's furious tambourine skills proved so loud during recording that he had to be sequestered and stifled in a closet.
The blaze of energy crackles slightly over two minutes. A forgotten gem, to be sure.
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