I stopped paying attention to music trends a long time ago; but I have to admit I’m loving “Happy.” At 61, I don’t dance much, but the joyful, energetic Pharrell Williams hit has me singing and doing a little happy dance every day–like Snoopy, or Jimmy Fallon, or my younger self. It’s quite a feeling.
“Happy” is Everywhere
I’m a little late to the “Happy” party. The song went platinum not long ago, but how would I have known? I don’t listen to music on the radio, or watch entertainment shows, or awards ceremonies. And I should confess that I’d never heard of Pharrell or his ubiquitous spread of happiness until I read a Huff Post blurb about auctioning the hat he wore while performing at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
Had I been paying attention before that, I might have known that his song was from last summer’s “Despicable Me 2” soundtrack. We Are From L. A. production company generated a buzz last November with “24 Hours of Happy,” but I missed that too. It’s up for an Academy award now, so perhaps I’ll watch to see what happens.
Fascinated by the “Happy” Dancers
I read about Pharrell’s auction a day or so after I didn’t watch the Grammys. I wondered who he was and why someone would want his hat, so I found the promo video, “Want Pharrell’s Hat?” It featured skinny, dancing guy-legs (Pharrell’s) wearing a giant hat, and singing a little bit of “Happy.” It made me smile.
I also found several one hour segments from “24 Hours of Happy.” The world’s first 24 hour video features Pharrell at the top of each hour. The scenes transition from one lip syncing happy dancer to the next. They’re all sexes, ages, races, and sizes. They walk, dance, wander, and strut through streets, alleys, bridges, a mausoleum, a church, a school bus, and other L. A. locales. Steve Carell, Magic Johnson, Ana Ortiz, Jimmy Kimmel, Jamie Foxx, Despicable Me Minions, and other stars are featured dancers. I’ve not quite danced my way through all 24 hours, but I’m trying.
About That Hat
Pharrell’s hat is a Vivienne Westwood “Mountain” hat. It’s handmade in the UK and retails for $180. On day 8 of the 10 day Ebay Celebrity auction, 81 bidders have pushed the price to $15,200.
The proceeds will go to Pharrell’s nonprofit, From One Hand to Another. The organization has already set up its first virtual center offering S.T.E.M and motivational skills to at-risk children. Now that’s a cause worthy of a happy dance.
