Origin of the most famous and common song : “Happy Birthday To You” and an interesting story behind it.
The greeting “Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You” One of the most well-known and cherished songs in existence, “Happy Birthday” is sung by millions of people every day because to its well-known lyrics. However, have you ever wondered how this beautiful custom got started? Come along as we explore history as we learn the fascinating background of the Happy Birthday song.
A melodious beginning
The song “Happy Birthday” has its roots in the nineteenth century. The melody we recognise today was not at first created for birthdays; rather, it started as a straightforward tune for another reason. Mildred J. Hill and Patty Hill, two American sisters, wrote the music for a song they called “Good Morning to All” in 1893. The sisters, who are also teachers, wanted their students to sing the song as a classroom greeting.
What Has Changed
“Good Morning to All” began to develop its own personality over time. The charming tune quickly made an appearance at several social events and birthday celebrations. A custom started when people started substituting the lyrics to “Happy Birthday” for those of “Good Morning.”
Legal Possession
The song’s melody was given the legal copyright for “Happy Birthday to You” in 1935. The Hill sisters, who were at this time deceased, did not directly profit from this copyright. Instead, the song’s rights belonged to a music publisher by the name of Clayton F. Summy Company.
Over the years, disputes over the “Happy Birthday to You” copyright resulted in various court cases. For many years, using the song in public concerts, movies, and television shows required people to pay royalties. As a result, it became one of the most profitable songs ever.
A Win in Court
A federal judge found that the copyright for “Happy Birthday to You” was invalid in 2016 after years of legal disputes. After this ruling, the song was considered to be in the public domain and anyone could perform it without worrying about legal penalties.
Worldwide Celebration
The song “Happy Birthday” is now sung in almost all countries. It has evolved into a common practise to commemorate one more orbit of the sun. This song crosses linguistic and cultural barriers, bringing people together in joy and celebration at events ranging from small family reunions to lavish birthday parties.
Conclusion
The modest classroom greeting that gave rise to the Happy Birthday song has transformed into a universal custom that cheers people up and fills their hearts on special occasions. It serves as a reminder that the joy of acknowledging another year of life is something we all share, regardless of where we are from or the language we speak. So, the next time you hear those well-known notes, go back on the song’s extraordinary journey and sing Happy Birthday with even more zeal and appreciation.
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