Jimmy Soul - If You Wanna Be Happy

"If You Wanna Be Happy" is based on the song "Ugly Woman" by the Trinidadian calypsonian Roaring Lion recorded in 1934. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 18, 1963, as well as the R&B singles chart.[1] It was issued on Guida's S.P.Q.R. label and distributed by London Records, and in the United Kingdom on EMI's Stateside label.
This is a slightly longer version from the wonderful work of
VictorianSlaughter3!

[@justinritter9303]

This song just changed my whole viewpoint on life😮‍💨

[@Jbeggar]

Indeed

[@vickypickup1736]

This was my wedding song 🎵

[@Riko478]

goddangit dude xD savage

[@BennyNegroFromQueens]

Yea right

[@wilmoney4619]

Hahahaha!!!!! Amazing

[@unedoucepatate3627]

😂😂😂

[@jeffspirdione8135]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@DNA-Ancestry]

James "Jimmy Soul" McCleese was born 24 August in North Carolina. He died 25 June 1988 after suffering a massive heart attack. Jimmy gave up his music career to join the U.S. Army. Upon his release he fell on hard times and turned to drugs. At the time of his death from a massive heart attack, he was scheduled to be sent to prison. At the age of 7, he began preaching the gospel. During his teens he was singing gospel songs to audiences. Rest in Heavenly peace Jimmy.

[@jetdeleon]

We need more music, dancing, and overall good vibes like this in the world today

[@bfboss4247]

This is the correct medicine for the people and our times. Dance live ❤️

[@Koren_Bell]

100000000% agreed. We can fix this world!!

[@johncaputo9965]

AMEN! This also happened to be the very first Pop song that I fell in love with. I was 11 years old, and still love it. Of course, I have ALWAYS fallen for VERY pretty girls, from 2nd grade when I exchanged rings with the prettiest girl in class as we announced our engagement to the entire class, to the wonderful woman I married in 1981!

[@turdferguson7686]

What, you don't like where black music evolved to with modern rap?? The incomprehensible mumbling about drugs, murder, selling drugs, degenerate sex with as many partners as possible, murdering more, doing drugs, not raising your kids, constantly encouraging violence, spending money on frivolous shiny things, killing others for their frivolous shiny things & how great you are for doing all of these things? Wow. Just.wow. how dare you!?

[@jetdeleon]

@@turdferguson7686 - I know right? What happened to the songs about love and family? Amazing artists like Deneice Williams, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, and so many more.

[@susanaquino9049]

That's what music is for: a smile and a dance.

[@davidmcmanus5918]

Can you imagine the uproar if a modern male singer was to try and cover this!

[@ToriMedina97]

We need to bring dancing like this back 😍😍

[@freedo333]

That first dance reminded me of the way kids dance today- kinda like the mash potato :)

[@MumT05]

They would tell you Michael Jackson invented that..

[@frenchy8131]

COULDN'T DANCE LIKE THAT BACK THEN

[@mikeappleget482]

@@freedo333 that dance is called “cutting shapes” iirc.

[@seenalot8932]

good old shuffle...

[@Teardehawkee]

Found this by accident. I'm glad I did!

[@perdanielsorensen7775]

They got moves Jagger could only dream of.

[@sawtooth808]

Where do you think Mick got his moves from ?

[@rebeccahernandez3460]

@@sawtooth808 Mick Jagger dances like he's got fire ants in his pants!

[@lossflight]

This just makes me wanna make some lemonade and have a party!

[@80sman986]

Oh god

[@dangerousd1312]

can i get an invite?

[@CloudStrife8894]

Is Cher going to be there?

[@kyliecarpenter9554]

😅the fact only some people understand what lemon party means🤢🤮

[@ninaj6051]

I'll bring the lemons to the party!

[@alextepe4309]

More than 60 years later, still words of wisdom.

[@carolsteele9911]

How can you not smile at these two lovely men.

[@shanglang133]

Hey relative. Bob's son here. Thumbs up to ya.

[@camelianicolae7838]

Love them and the song, ndeed!!!

[@kelliannripley6965]

20s dancing with 60s music.. Love this..makes the world smile

[@greggergen9104]

As you can see from the musicians in the background they dubbed this music onto this video. The original was with musicians.. But it works.

[@judyvalencia3257]

This song just popped into my head and I hadn't heard it in years. But I needed to hear it today. Such a happy , nonsense song.

[@bogonanaz9404]

It’s not nonsense, it’s a guide to living life

[@flyj5820]

@@bogonanaz9404 tru dat

[@alphaangel4219]

Same here!!

[@haircuthunny26]

Me too! Love this song!

[@cillamoke]

Me too, it just popped into my head and I had to hear it

[@TheSergillop]

Epic dancing!

[@theresajesselli4880]

I loved it❤️

[@lemonhead47]

I just watched the movie “mermaids” with Cher & I heard this song again ♥️

[@pauliengatai9749]

The year is 2020 mankind is battling a pandemic so im timewarp back to the 60s,.....later.

[@kevinwhite1309]

Much better times !!!

[@gsharonali237]

so right

[@IrrationalBstrd]

$c@|\/|-demic you mean... Can't believe all the clowns who fell for this.

[@proudgary2228]

Plandemic

[@normacruz2614]

This is April 2020. I needed a good laugh & out of this planet dance 🤪🤣🤣

[@ronalddemesa1123]

😊🇵🇭

[@andreasgopfert7389]

Take me with you

[@Rhys-jd1kt]

I've lost count on how many times I've watched this in the past 20 minutes or so.🤣🤣🤣 So contagious, I love it😁🤙

[@cubpower928]

me too

[@redknight8288]

I love the music from this era, it didn't try to change your life it just wanted to get you to feel the rhythm through your body and it all always just felt good. music then was about the rhythm and happy lyrics. one genre, one purpose. to entertain you.I loved this song

[@slasher1563]

In the 60s??? You're saying the 60s, the birth of heavy metal, punk, and psychedelic rock, where songs about the world ending and the need for social justice, was just one mindless genre? Never would have guessed. You probably thought this song was older from the video but you know in the 20s there was still more than one genre and in the time of rampant racism and great economic depression yeah there was definitely more than a few songs that were meant for more than entertainment, none that got played on the radio I would. And that's ok, not everything needs to be mindless entertainment, in fact one would argue that it shouldn't. And if you are such a fan of such mindless music, you might want to tune into your local pop station.

[@sammcdermott78]

Stupid

[@julianmedrano882]

@@slasher1563 1. Geez, you're fun at parties huh 2. Calling music like this boring is stupid. Not everyone is looking to find answers through brooding music or whatnot. Some people just want to have a good time.

[@devinpaul9026]

​@@slasher1563 Those were barely RECOGNIZED as a "genre" at the time, in fact cannibalizing themselves from EXISTING genres such as jazz, soul, ect-- and then "spacing them out" as it were. Even for the period when they became establishment to SOME extent and were fully recognized, they NEVER became entirely respected outside of their own limited audiences, and even said audiences THEMSELVES never entirely agreed with each other. This here and things similar, even if a person DOESN'T actually like it, the majority WILL agree that it holds merit, is to be at least respected, and even give it it's due for paving the way FOR other genres to have existed. Your hippy acts riffed on this stuff. Your seventies and eighties acts riffed on the hippies, your nineties acts at least took inspo from ALL that stuff in pieces of what they did. But this stuff here? It's as good as it ever was. Nobody remembers it, and the few that do know it consider it cheese-- but it was cheese THEN. Back then cheese WAS the style. It was just people bein' people with very little image before it. And I think THAT could stand to make the comeback. And maybe bring a little music with it when it does. Food for thought: Country is the last American genre where it's socially acceptable for a man to just actually straightforward sing anymore-- and as much as I dislike THAT genre, I recognize that fact. And today, not even IT'S still what it used to be, and whatever it still is is dying.

[@slasher1563]

@@julianmedrano882 did I say it was boring nigga? Did I say there was a problem with shallowness? No, THEY said there was a problem with the depth. Bro I might just be talking to a bunch of old people right now and it scares the hell out of me, God help me if I ever become so ignorant in my old age. Not a diss, ignorant is bliss and you all obviously belong to a collective but I value living outside of my own head as much as I do living in it

[@Outlier999]

I lucked out. My wife of nearly 48 years was and still is beautiful. She’s also a terrific cook and mother. My secret: I married her for the beauty she had inside, which excelled her considerable outer beauty.

[@54moineau]

Wow !!! The moves !!! 🤩

[@ilovenoodles7483]

My Dad introduce me to the song when I was kid, back in the 80's. I never knew it existed before then, but now, 40years later- it is still full if wisdom and I'm a woman!!!

[@goldilox369]

My parents too! I made it a point to know how to cook because of this song. And, it has always definitely worked. ❤

[@sarahsnewskatess]

It's like dad's know they're daughter might not be that attractive, cus my dad introduced this to me too! I was covered in mud and gunk looking for worms for fishing lol!!! My dad knew!!!

[@rasalghul4501]

Back then when music was music, Lyrics had meaning, and dancing had class and finesse.

[@sammcdermott78]

“Lyrics had meaning” Have you listened to this song? This whole song is literally just a joke about marriage it’s not deep with some hidden meaning at all, it just some people having fun.

[@spub1031]

@@sammcdermott78 thank you

[@marnie6197]

@@sammcdermott78 that’s the truth

[@oiuyuioiuyuio]

@@sammcdermott78 It's not a joke, you sad loser, LMAO.

[@-whyquestion]

@@sammcdermott78that’s the point

[@하늘눈-y5e]

춤 노래 너무 신나요.

[@johnadams9044]

How true! Say, my back pain is gone!

[@abrahambendavid.7474]

Lol.

[@mojapsihoterapija0404]

This song is an injection of pure happiness!

[@samm761]

The song and the dancing are a perfect match.

[@svenf.3506]

In 1963 it went to #1 on the Billboard Charts. In 2024 it´s still one of my all time favourites: This clip is so funny. Great dance performance!

[@lawrencejohanson5178]

This song reached No 1 on the Billboard charts in March of 1963 and was the only hit for New York city born Jimmy Soul.

[@rasalghul4501]

He was actually born in NC. But discovered in NY. Shame he had a few hits then quit his music career. Joined the military....passed in 1988. Heart attack.

[@howardquinn5911]

There was a Philly group that did this song about the same time. I used to have their record. Franky and the ?

[@waninoko87]

This is the best version.

[@BFG_10G]

I'm loving the dance moves.

[@burningblue1254]

Love the song and the lyrics! The dancing is amazing, they defy the laws of physics!

[@ObscuredByTime]

I was with a gorgeous young thing for 4 years in high school, and it ended beyond badly - it wrecked my early 20's. I had a nervous breakdown and to see a shrink (she did something so bad, I can't even speak of it}. At age 27, when my present wife told everyone we worked with that she had a big crush on me and wished I would ask her out, I rejected her on the basis of looks. Then I had a pow-wow with myself. What the hell made me so damn special? Fact was, that girl was a soft, sweet, obviously good, good woman. I marched up to her one day after work and asked her for a date. She beamed the biggest smile, and suddenly she looked beautiful to me. I took her on an expensive date to a dinner theater. The play was _Educating Rita._ it turned out to be apropos, becuase, as it turned out, she was quite uneducated herself. You see, both of her parents died suddenly when she was a freshman in high school, and it ruined school for her. Well, the more I learned about her, the more I realized she was someone who deserved a good life, and I decided I was going to give it to her. We've been together for 29 years now, and we'll be together 'till we die. And let me tell you guys something: It's true... she cooks, she cleans, she makes me happy in every other way, too. And she loves me. And I love her. I'm going to be happy for the rest of my life. And so is she.

[@GoyimNewsNetwork]

This made me tear up a bit brother. These words are true. I've always dated beautiful women and everytime there were issues. I decided to lower my standards and wow are there some really great women out there who are GRATEFUL to be with a man! Fellas, don't listen to social media. Get you an average looking women, maybe a little heavy, and she will actually be a good wife and mother. These dimes will give you an emotional breakdown and steal everything you own. Listen to this man, he is spitting facts. This song is the truth. The older folks knew this and we've forgotten.

[@nigelbenn4642]

Fair play mate

[@davejensen8882]

That's wonderful and touching.

[@GraceLove33]

I bet you she’s not “ugly”

[@lindasmith3648]

@@GoyimNewsNetworkThe lower your standards is an insult to women. Beauty comes from the inside. How would you like it if women said well we just have to lower our standards and date a homely guy in order to be happy.

[@manonamountain]

Pure feelgood!

[@dme1016]

Sitting at home watching sports, & the song just popped in my brain, & wouldn't leave. I hadn't heard it in what....40 years or more. They're playing a different song however. Godd editing.

[@rosewiegman3326]

I heard this about 40 yrs ago,as well but I remembered the title thought I would never hear it again so upbeat a d cheery

[@KiwiPew]

Man.. years later this song still relevant..

[@Deathwarrant909]

More than ever too

[@naxoelfurro]

If the life give you lemons Make a lemon party

[@tombennettonemanband]

What planet were these dudes from! Love em

[@billycross1798]

I wish I could live where these dudes came from.

[@skipdow3]

The song came out in 1963. I graduated in 1966. We loved to dance to it. We did not dance like this. The fun thing was to get a very pretty girl to dance with you, and she would laugh all the way through it. But she sure can cook.

[@kvenable919]

They are Al Mimms and Leon James. They were popular ballroom dancers back in the 50s and 60s. You can find videos of them on KZbin

[@bobsalisbury2113]

These were the days !!!

[@shiah1313]

I’m gonna keep it 💯, this is great advice!

[@nezhamapsofficial]

This is such a banger.

[@samanthagrantpopsoulrbdoow115]

this song is so uplifting and it has a great uptempo tune.

[@ironprejudice8903]

Every time this song cheers me up

[@nancyhoff1956]

I love to hear KZbin music online. This video had me watching the whooole thing. Which I rarely do.

[@nickortiz2683]

That dancing is awesome. Never seen that shit. Wonder what it was like seeing people dance that way in the clubs and shit back in the day.

[@rasalghul4501]

I'll tell you 1 thing man......back then......dancing had class and finesse. Not this grinding and twerking BS. I'd love to dance like these guys.

[@King_Henry]

Better hear the original soundtrack then

[@ronnie8317]

that beats every "happy" song AND dance i've ever seen

[@thegodmamaonelove9874]

The kind of music that just makes ya smile

[@zvipatent]

Fun song. GRRRREAT dancing

[@jasonkaramo5216]

The crazy thing is although that song was made in the 60's it is actually much more "applicable" now for these times

[@KiwiPew]

Especially now.. 😂

[@robbzooi]

as if you've lived in the 60s

[@Truffle_Pup]

It's sad only men know this song. But it's still true. Jimmy you OG, you nailed it.

[@nathanieldavis5231]

My first favorite song as a 6 year old. Now at 68 , looking back on life , I realize I only loved 2 women, one I married, one I didn't, both were angelic, both were pretty !!! The Big Guy just looked out for me !

[@King21Kyle]

But could they cook?

[@nathanieldavis5231]

@@King21Kyle yeah !

[@robertbogert8257]

I’m 46 heard it at 6 and loved it

[@5thhorseman982]

This should mandatory to play before any marriage ceremony can proceed.

[@cash1851]

LoL

[@Quzga]

I've had it stuck in my head since watching The fabelmans! Can't believe I never heard it before, so catchy.

[@Lindsay6077]

Absolutely love it. I need to learn the dance

[@VinnieSutra]

A classic blast from the past, that might offend some today. August 2021

[@SchereGeist]

This moves! I love it

[@rhydean693]

This was always one of my Grandma's favorite songs. Such a great melody and that bouncy rhythm really pulls you in.

[@debbiekol8539]

Smartest thing ever

[@larryw4175]

Wow I remember this song when it came out 1963 I was about 8 years old never paid attention to the lyrics till I was older we just liked the beat and the music and choreography

[@rayburn8282]

What an old bastard you are, just kidding bro.

[@stevensica89]

Loved it. I'm a kid again. The two dancers are hilarious.

[@LuisdeCórdovayCórdova82]

Amazing suffle dance👏👐

[@RichDiGirolamoRecessAtWork]

This might be my favorite video ever!

[@prettigirlkookie]

Awesome !!!

[@leesoliz]

Awesome song we need this in 2020

[@SunilKumar-nf7ft]

Damn! What wisdom 😮

[@michaelolin2219]

The OG of all OG.

[@pomicultorul]

thank you so much SIR!

[@agathamantanes1252]

I love this .

[@TiaSnoozy805]

I play this for my sons..... Lmao my Xhusband would play it and wanna dance with me! Lorddd what he trying to say?

[@lindastjohn5007]

Such a GREAT song! Gives off so much fun and energy! The best!

[@jeannedamonte4463]

Wow! Nice! 😁

[@sarciguy2462]

Love this song 🎵 and great dancers

[@justinlambert3388]

Wow what a tune! Just love it 🤗

[@peacec47]

Found it heard it in the car could not find brillant 🥰🥰🥰🥰 wow just listen to the lyrics😳

[@chuck430]

Best man and groom dancing down the aisle

[@Certifine]

*I am here for the dance moves. Love the song.*

[@elrick3876]

Johnny depp is the living prof of this songs truthfulness lol.

[@teddyrva2779]

My wife woke up humming this tune. She couldn't remember the lyrics. I'm playing it so she knows what she's humming. Lol

[@guyfawkes786]

Excellent !!!

[@intactedits8089]

These boys were just having fun 😝

[@brandonallen3289]

These cats got some moves.

[@CharleneEmerymyers-OwenFAM]

These songs do make you happy

[@shaiful5055]

Found it on the cassette tape, got to look it over KZbin 😄😄

[@artistwilcox3233]

Remember the song and liked it at the park and rec in the on the radios I see that was early 60s probably 10 Bravo

[@tmosley9540]

They were Kid N Play before Kid N Play was even thought about. Pretty cool dancing

[@turdferguson7686]

I've never seen this video before & that makes me sad. They look so happy, so excited to be singing & dancing. This had to have been a pretty wild thing to see back in those days. If only we could go back to more of this type of music & culture around it.

[@dwaynemellott2094]

These dance moves would make you viral on tiktok

[@jetzeschaafsma1211]

Aw shit, this is gonna stick with me for DAYS. BTW, Jimmy Soul died at the age of 45 of a heart attack. She must have been super hot.

[@jasonmramp]

He didn’t take his own advice apparently.

[@tigerprayers2824]

lol

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

This just popped into my head and I needed to look up the video to get to out.

[@onpsxmember]

Stopped his singing career, joined the army, later sold and took drugs, jailed, heart attack. Probably had no contact to women in 10 years.

[@vickyalberts6716]

@@onpsxmember aww that’s sad 😞. What a shame.

[@sonicthehedgehog8424]

I like your song

[@davejensen8882]

I love old time rock 'N' roll. These are the people that made it great.

[@mockoobecafwww]

Great episode in Bupkis

[@HugoVargas-yk9up]

Such a kool😎👍 happy song! I'm from 1980 but I get this joy! Admiration and respect for classic jams 🎸👍 love oldies. Got them from K EARTH 🌎 101 fm Los Angeles California! Shot Gun Tom Kelly. Great times👍

[@miguelortizdeuriarte5116]

Fantastic!!!

[@xxyyzz8464]

Best dance moves! Holy shit.

[@kayla-bs2ft]

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, listen to this song everyday ❤

[@vipulpatil5279]

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you A pretty woman makes her husband look small And very often causes his downfall As soon as he married her and then she starts To do the things that will break his heart But if you make an ugly woman your wife A-you'll be happy for the rest of your life An ug-a-ly woman cooks meals on time And she'll always give you peace of mind If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you Don't let your friends say you have no taste Go ahead and marry anyway Though her face is ugly, her eyes don't match Take it from me, she's a better catch If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you Say man! Hey baby! I saw your wife the other day! Yeah? Yeah, an' she's ug-leeee! Yeah, she's ugly, but she sure can cook, baby! Yeah, alright! If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you

[@stepstep865]

hahahhaha

[@the1stDJLowkey]

Words to live by. Trust me.

[@janitha001]

As a non native speaker, Thanks man

[@cash1851]

Thank you for lyrics. That explains all the ugly wives. Sometimes ugly on the inside too.

[@-whyquestion]

This should be played at everybody wedding

[@sawtooth808]

Or Lemon party (God help anyone if they have one of those)

[@jizznuggetfivethousand]

@@sawtooth808 kids these days wont under this reference lmao

[@chris882211]

AWSOME

[@raulchavezromo315]

fantastic i love them