Happy House
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Happy House" | ||||
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| Single by Siouxsie and the Banshees | ||||
| from the album Kaleidoscope | ||||
| B-side | "Drop Dead/Celebration" | |||
| Released | 7 March 1980 | |||
| Recorded | 1980 | |||
| Genre | Post-punk | |||
| Length | 3:48 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Siouxsie and the Banshees singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Happy House" in 4:3 aspect ratio on Dailymotion | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Happy House" in 16:9 aspect ratio on YouTube | ||||
"Happy House" is a song written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and recorded by their band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released as a single in March 1980 by record label Polydor, then later included on the band's third album, Kaleidoscope. "Happy House" was the group's first record made with guitarist John McGeoch and drummer Budgie.
"Happy House" marked a change in musical direction for Siouxsie and the Banshees due to the arrival of two new musicians: drummer Budgie, previously of the Slits, and guitarist John McGeoch, though still a member of Magazine at this time.
Budgie, who was interested in African polyrhythms, used a reggae vibe on the song, while McGeoch played both atmospheric and edgy guitars. Siouxsie stated that the band almost invented a new sound with this single: It was "Banshees – phase two".[1]
When asked if "Happy House" was a cynical song, Siouxsie replied: "It is sarcastic. In a way, like television, all the media, it is like adverts, the perfect family whereas it is more common that husbands beat their wives. There are mental families really but the projection is everyone smiling, blond hair, sunshine, eating butter without being fat and everyone perfect".[2]
Release
"Happy House" was released on 7 March 1980 by record label Polydor as the first single from the band's third studio album, Kaleidoscope. The single became the band's second top 20 hit, peaking at number 17 in the UK Singles Chart.[3]
