JIMMY SOUL If you wanna be happy (music reaction) I bet this was controversial - First time hearing

[@jimmcevers9443]

It was a very lighthearted humorous look at love and life.... and yes, very tongue in cheek!!! It was very catchy and popular as I recall. It was a time when folks didn't take themselves so seriously and could chuckle at themselves and the world at large.

[@berniecioffoletti3398]

Very true, especially the last part of your comment.

[@MusikCassette]

it might be tongue and cheek. but the casual sexism was real.

[@marxlover100]

Different time in 1963. There was little to no "political correctness" so this song sailed through without any real controversy. The song was catchy and popular and was played on the radio all the time. And yes, Harri pegged it right. It was a fun tongue-in-cheek song.

[@pcno2832]

I wouldn't be surprised if it started as some kind of inside joke, for better or worse.

[@berniecioffoletti3398]

Very true. I guess not too many people complained when Ernie K-Doe came out with "Mother-in-law" in 1961.

[@MusikCassette]

I think you have a distorted Idea of that time.

[@volkssturm9694]

"tongue in cheek" - I have to disagree with that one totally, there is lots of truth behind these lyrics if you think about it.

[@esk4443]

I grew up in the 80s as a kid and they played this some all the time on the "oldies" radio station. It was a parody, novelty style of song that was popular in the early 60s (i.e. like the Purple People Eaters). It is just a supposed to be like a sassy comeback if your guy friends make fun of you for not having a pretty girlfriend. The kind of teasing that guys would do to each other hanging out after work. The DJ in the 80s would always joke around when songs like these were playing. By the way, it is a cover of an old jazzy calapyso song from a Trinidad singer from 1934. So it is a bit of island humor too.

[@johnmarksbury1633]

I grew up in the 60's and people still knew how to laugh.

[@garyo7522]

This was the 2nd 45 single record I ever bought. I was 10, but it didn't take me long to realize that this song was so different than the other popular songs on the AM radio dial. I loved it then and I still love it today. It makes us smile.

[@John_Chu]

Adapted from a calypso classic by Roaring Lion (from Trinidad), "Ugly Woman." The dialog at the end of the song is also "adapted" from Bo Diddley's "Say Man" where Bo and his sidekick Jerome Green trade insults. LOL. Produced by Frank Guida, the man behind Gary U.S. Bonds' early '60s hits. Thanks Cynthia and Harri.

[@Cynthia...]

Thank you John.

[@JRPLawyeress1]

Awww. My dad always called my older brother Bo Diddley when we were little. I thought it was his real name.

[@petersarubbi]

You beat me to it... thank you for bringing this up... it was a novelty song... very catchy and lots of fun released at a time when you could have fun like this and not offend everyone and worry about getting "canceled" or "cancelled" (for the Brits)...😁

[@Cynthia...]

Thanks Harri, just a fun song, and I would never post this if I thought it was real or making fun.

[@HarriBestReactions]

😁😁 This is nothing on you Cynths..As the song went on i realised it was a fun song.I went to read up on it later and discovered it was banned on some radio stations cos of the world ugly.

[@Cynthia...]

@@HarriBestReactions ✌️

[@jeffmartin1026]

I was 11 when this song came out and I knew that it was humor, but also spoke to the truth that looks aren't everything.

[@brandonious7732]

Just taking a little jab at the Trophy wife thing where pretty debutantes were known for not being very good caretakerrs.

[@lgeyser1]

Harri, I loved it when that sax grabbed your attention and kept the song going a few extra moments before the first break! That's some sax, isn't it! I remember when this came out in '63 or so - it was a happy song then, and it still is today. Thanks to you and Cynthia!

[@Cynthia...]

Glad you liked it.

[@DanielVolk-jm4nt]

Great pick as usual Cyn. Always loved this tune. One hit wonder but a big hit that makes you smile. 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇬🇧🤴🙃👍

[@Cynthia...]

Hey Daniel, good to see you and thank you. 🇨🇦🇺🇸✌️

[@gpxo11]

Song went to #1 in the US in 1963. Basically a one hit wonder. Had a minor hit with Twistin' Matilda.

[@marybaillie8907]

Such a great song by Jimmy Soul, who was a preacher at 7 and sang gospel music as a teenager. The lyrics are questionable in this day and age but were considered funny at the time. Great instrumentation and vocals made it so popular. Gary US Bonds turned down two songs that came to Jimmy, " Twistin' Matilda that went to Number 22 and this song which went to Number 1, such luck for Jimmy and sold 1,000,000 copies. He performed it on American Bandstand on April 12, 1963. It was at Number 50 on the charts, but 5 weeks later at Number 1. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Cynthia.👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@Cynthia...]

Glad you liked it Mary, just a fun song. ❤

[@marybaillie8907]

@Cynthia... Great memory Cynthia. ❤️

[@thealternativefactor6694]

Wow..how times have changed. I played this at my wedding and everyone had a BLAST..

[@imaflyinturkey9775]

Savage😂

[@thealternativefactor6694]

@@imaflyinturkey9775 LMAO..People were uncomfortable at first until they saw my wife laughing her butt off.

[@PattyMcqG]

No controversy!!! Are feelings were not fragile in those days. Fun, good beat and a happy humorous song. My daddy had the 45 & played it with the arm up to repeat!

[@ravenmccall5486]

This song makes me so happy Harri, I remember it from when I was a little girl and singing it without really knowing what it meant!

[@FuturologyTheMusical]

All humor and a groove

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

The song was a big hit at the time. Take from that what you will but the people spoke.

[@neilstegall2090]

Maybe it’s hard to put a song like this into context after 63 years. Jimmy Soul was a DJ as well.

[@janiceb8809]

Maybe it says don't pick a partner on just looks. Smarts, humor, hard working, nice.... makes for real marriage. I've been married for for 51 years. We are both "average" looks. And pretty happy.

[@HarriBestReactions]

I totally agree with your analogy and not picking on looks definition.To say thibgs such as she's ugly is what i dont agree with.But thats just my take.😁

[@garyarnett1220]

Yes it was made in jest. Also Reference Dr Hook When You're In love (With a Beautiful woman) And yes...same advice to women.

[@Cynthia...]

Yes, it’s exactly the same just said a different way. Lol.

[@kimmaedke2763]

Harri, I appreciate your concern over the lyrics of this song!

[@ronroc]

Yeah, it's a novelty song. Kid Creole did a remake of it in the '80's.

[@GhostlyEcheveria]

This song is so infectious. This song always reminds me of my mom. She loved this song and it's always stuck in my mind.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Definitely tongue-in-cheek. Went to #1 on the R&B and Hot 100 charts. Not bad for a novelty song!

[@toniwilliams2708]

Always loved to listen and dance to this song. I believe we were dancing the Lindy- hop ❤

[@richardmartin9565]

It was a different world then. We didn't think like people do today. We weren't as "sensitive".

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

Nice one Cynthia, never heard it before 😊🙃🙂 Thank you Harri

[@atombomb31458]

Its a different time...... like a joke...but there are problems with gorgeous women as we all know...

[@HarriBestReactions]

There are problems with not so gorgeous women to.Its the word ugly i had problem with.

[@dagmar.6954]

This song is just supposed to be a fun tune & not taken seriously. Jimmy became a preacher at the age of seven & performed gospel music as a teenager. He acquired his performing name "Soul" from his congregation. He also did the song "Twistin' Matilda" in 1962.

[@Nuerth]

AM Radio had a big demand for Novelty Songs to hook listeners there was a string of one hit wonders in the early 60's like "Purple People Eater" ~"Witch Doctor" ~ "Monster Mash' the sillier the better

[@mulberrystnyc]

It holds true today more than ever.

[@heyhuey4429]

I was in 5th grade when this song was released in May of 1963. We lost our minds. It was so funny. John Kennedy would be assassinated 6 months later. You have to laugh while you can. You don't know what tomorrow will bring.

[@DjDamnStrange]

He's right 100%, women who spend ages to look good have that seed inside them to constantly look for someone better.

[@farmhome904]

Yes... A joke novelty song from a time when people didn't think being offended was terminal. But there is a grain of truth, in that high maintenance "pretty" women are often more trouble than they're worth.

[@jimallison6125]

Harris, Have you ever reacted to The Tremelos,1967, Here Comes my Baby. Was one of my favorites back in the day and I think you'll like it too.

[@davebzen795]

This calypso-influenced classic #1 Hit goes back to the early 60s. Harri, this is definitely a tongue-in-cheek song. Jimmy was unable to sustain his music career and died at age 45. Well done Cynthia and Harri

[@rebeccalipps23]

I am reminded of The Mills Brothers' song "Paper Doll". Not as crass as this one, but a similar sentiment to try to ensure fidelity/faithfulness.

[@Poodleroom]

It is a fun song couples would listen and laugh with each other at dances.

[@marksanders8028]

Very political correct of you Harri.

[@flamencoprof]

Around March/April 2017 I created a KZbin playlist of pieces of music I felt marked particular stages of my life. At the time, users could customise a playlist by clicking on each entry in the list to get a drop-down menu with an option to add a small 150-character text comment. As I said in my description header for the playlist, these "could be seen as txts from the past about my musical life". I later recreated it in a blog page. this was one entry: - "Herma Keil & The Keil Isles - If You Wanna Be Happy (1963) *1963 I hear this cover at the Carnival at Western Springs, it gives me funny ideas about mate selection, LOL!* (Cover of USA #1 by Jimmy Soul. Herma Keil and (originally his brothers) The Keil Isles were from Samoa and became big in NZ. Record Co's often released local covers before/instead of the USA/UK releases.)"

[@elmojames5247]

In these days and times I agree with you 100 percent, back then its a parody it should be rewritten for todays times.. If you wanna be happy for the rest of you life look for your soul mate to marry you ect

[@channelthree9424]

I’m sure this was not controversial back when it was made. People didn’t get their panties in a bunch over everything back then. it’s a humorous song meant to make you laugh and be jolly.

[@billofalltrades2633]

I remember my dad had this on record in the 70s 😂😂

[@jillk368]

It wasn't controversial at all, as I recall. It was just fun. It's fun to sing along to. It's kind of like Short People, which I think you've reacted to. If not, you should.

[@bigoljohn3313]

It isn't so much about being "ugly", but more like either plain or imperfect. Plain and imperfect people are beautiful, and in that time period, ugly was the description they used.

[@khoohockleong7585]

I am gappy. You need not show it externally. This is called koy in Vedic culture. You are happy regardless of circumstances. But of course a dharmic person would be perturbed by the adharmic circumstances surrounding him. This is a separate matter altogether. Got nothing to do with happy or not happy

[@AnaFigueroa-w5h]

It is fanny song and I love the music and the lyrics make me laugh

[@forwardpeace]

Definitely going for laughs.

[@byrontowles2018]

I view this song as humorous take on the message of "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" by the Temptations!

[@haroldmachroli7038]

It was a joke. Dont take it so seriously. I love this song. People loved it. It hit #1 on Billboard for 2 weeks. I remember when this came out. I just loved it and it is one of my favorite all time songs.

[@johnlong9534]

hap hap happy

[@kentran5990]

I think its main purpose is to catch our attention. It certainly got my attention. But I have to say after listening to the whole song, Jimmy Soul did have some good points.

[@Terryman1960]

Hey it 2024 and I have the song on my iTunes. It's fun and makes you laugh. No cuss words. just bubbly.

[@dwainwilder7337]

Hello Harri, Cool song, although I think and have always thought that this song was recorded not to deliver a message, but to just make people laugh. I thing that Jimmy Soul or any man would like a beautiful woman for a wife. I believe, like you that we are all beautiful, in one way or another. Like Joe Tex’s “Skinny Legs”, it’s just a joke. Check that song out, if you hadn’t before. Also another light hearted, fun song from that time is; Shirley Ellis’ “The Name Game”. Check that out also, if you hadn’t before.

[@Sensei.shonuff]

I love this song lol

[@msw8966]

In my opinion the song is the truth. You always have to fight for things nowadays that are different from 200 years ago.

[@wandameadows5736]

Back in those days people just didn't listen to stuff they didn't like instead of like they do today force themselves to listen & try to cancel stuff.

[@sharonsnail2954]

Relax, Harri. As the saying goes "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" 😊 At the end of this track Jimmy says "she's ugly, man, but she she sure can cook". However, another song released about the same time shows that there can be problems there too. Lonnie Russ "My Wife Can't Cook" kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2Wvkmavq6tpqpY AND if you're unlucky you'll get a "Mother In Law" like Ernie K-Doe's kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHbanZKpds50qq8 AND it maybe a case of 'like mother, like daughter' with "Nag" by The Halos kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3WWaIl8qtmZpq8 Four great, humorous tracks from the early 1960s.

[@kirpalite]

This is an old Island song from way before this groups recording. It was a silly song--tongue-in-cheek.

[@kathigreen1479]

Haha! Reminds me of the movie Mermaids with Cher and Christina Ricci. Great song. And, OMG, Political correctness is a CANCER. ENJOY. THE. MUSIC. 🙄

[@Littlebigbot]

Different times for sure.

[@debbiechang5781]

Every time I hear this song l think of the movie “Mermaids”. It’s such a conundrum with the awful lyrics and the joyful sound. A terrible dilemma. Leave it to Harri to try to make it all better. That’s why we keep coming back! 🌺✌️

[@JRPLawyeress1]

I’m sure they were nice guys. It was a joke. Tongue in cheek. When it came out, I don’t think a single American woman was offended. We all knew they were being funny. I told my husband we should play this song at our wedding reception. It is hilarious.

[@volkssturm9694]

People say this song was "tongue in cheek ", but I have to disagree. This song basically means to not just go for the beauty queen,(lots of drama and problems often) rather go for that gal that has the most lovely personality even if she is kind of "homely" looking , that gal that really feels and says "Im so lucky to have you".

[@AP-gb3eh]

Uuuuggggg I am truly tired of politically correcting silly songs from the past. I’m an old woman and very progressive ,never gave it a thought. This was as far away from controversy as you could possibly get. Just a fun song. Great little sax

[@pcno2832]

If the record jacket is any indication, Jimmy Soul was a handsome dude. I doubt that he'd have stayed that way if he really went around calling other guy's wives ugly, especially if they were bigger than he was.

[@dwainwilder7337]

What i think is behind this song is the fact that if you have a good looking wife or girlfriend or husband or boyfriend, someone else is always lurking around to flirt or take them. Basically, infidelity! That thought is turned into a joke!

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

But she can sure cook

[@jourdanashley2245]

I think the song was meant more for humor than it was life advice. Pretty sure the artist didn't actually adopt this thought process.Just giggle and let it go :)

[@clyno100]

a dated classic..dated but still a classic

[@trudywolfe2795]

Its just a fun song. Not meant to be taken literally.

[@awillis244]

It’s a very nice catchy tune. Not that serious.

[@Jlawson310]

A pretty woman makes a hamburger small.

[@NEALPUCCISWEDEN]

u should watch the video dance is diffence. I never see people dance like this

[@katiem9644]

Not controversial at all. Back then people didnt take themselves so seriously or werent so self important. People could take a joke.

[@helgar791]

Well, aren't your post modern sensibilities showing. Let's be honest here Harri. You may state these modern views that everyone is beautiful, but show us some pictures of your last three girlfriends and I'd think there isn't an ugly one among them. There's a reason why on dating apps, the major way most people find partners today, 100% of women find 80% of men to be unattractive. There's a reason why, on these same apps, 80% of women swipe right on only 20% of men. When you see someone for the first time for dating purposes I'm sure you first reaction isn't "Wow, she must really be beautiful on the inside".

[@HarriBestReactions]

You find beauty in many ways and forms.If your definition was the template,you're so called "ugly" women will all be single.You may not be attracted to someone or not find them attractive,that is far far different to calling someone ugly.That person you think is ugly is the most beautiful to someone else. I can honestly say since i have been an adult i havent called anyone ugly.I can very well say theyre not my type or i dont find them attractive or i am not attracted to them.Its not a word i use.I use ugly more on someones character.I have no problem with you for calling people ugly.I just dont...Peace ✌🏾

[@janiceb8809]

I knew a guy who said his first wife was very beautiful but not the brightest bulb. I said it said more about him than her. He picked her.

[@randallcastillo2179]

It was a joke

[@NEALPUCCISWEDEN]

catch song I dont think its controversial

[@jackiegerspachhas4237]

Very chauvinistic!!!!!!!