"Happy Birthday" is a song written, produced and performed by Stevie Wonder for the Motown label. Wonder, a social activist, was one of the main figures in the campaign to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. become a national holiday, and created this single to promulgate the cause. The song has since become a standard for use during birthdays in general, particularly among African Americans.
"Happy Birthday" was released as the fourth single of Wonder's Hotter than July (1980) album in June 1981. It was one of his most popular entries in the UK Singles Chart.
When Wonder performed the song at Nelson Mandela Day at Radio City Music Hall on July 19, 2009, he slightly changed the lyrics, "Thanks to Mandela and Martin Luther King!" in the second verse. Wonder also performed this song at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in London for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Personnel
- Stevie Wonderpiano, Fender Rhodes, vocoder, drums, Bass Melodian Synthesizer, Fairlight Synthesizer
- Background Vocals: Linda Allen, Windy Barnes, Brenda M. Boyce, Shirley Brewer, Emma Coleman, Susaye Greene Brown, Renee Hardaway, Malikia Hilton, Josie James, Melody McCully, Nadra Ross, LaDee Streeter, Tammy Thomes, Venetta Wiley, Betty Wright
Charts
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1981)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)
|31
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Israel (IBA)
|1
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Zimbabwe (ZIMA)
|20
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1999)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+
! scope="col"| Chart (2026)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
! scope="row"| Jamaica Airplay ()
| 10
|}