THE HOUSEMARTINS-Happy Hour

The band was formed in 1983 by Paul Heaton (vocals), Stan Cullimore (guitar), Ted Key (bass) and Chris Lang (drums). The band's membership changed quite a lot over the years. Ted Key was replaced by Norman Cook - the future Fatboy Slim - and drummer Chris Lang was replaced by Hugh Whitaker, former drummer with The Gargoyles, who in turn was replaced with Dave Hemingway.
In 1986, having recorded two John Peel sessions, the band broke through with the single "Happy Hour", which reached No.3 in the UK charts. The single's success was helped by a claymation animated pop promo of a type that was in vogue at the time, featuring a cameo by TV comedian Phill Jupitus, who toured with the band under the stage name "Porky the Poet". At the end of the same year, they narrowly missed out on the Christmas No.1 single with a cover version of Isley Jasper Isley's "Caravan of Love", when it was knocked off the top spot by Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite" on 23 December.

[@lupodelupis3672]

I was a 13 years old boy, from a little village in Italy, in 86, and my favourite group was The Housemartins from Hull, GB! :)

[@Jessieheels77]

Hope you're all doing well in Italy now. Solidarity from Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇹🇮🇪🇮🇹

[@meichong8278]

@@misterr3083 neutral moresnet ?

[@jalexvivi]

I am spanish and I still remember when this song was released, I would be probably about 13 years old and it was my favourite group. Thanks for the music Housemartins!

[@ravenhill_firelord_1968]

wish i could go back to these times, gutted i'm stuck in these times.

[@cazm8019]

Me too x

[@fayesmith5772]

At least we have these videos to keep us in these times xx

[@chalkfarmcarsquadso1664]

Your not alone

[@johnpenfold5678]

I was 21 when this was in the charts 55 now it was a great time and now have great memories 👍

[@gerrycolgin6666]

Yes happier times in Croydon

[@chrislogan2557]

Everyone needs a song that just makes them smile, this has to be one of those songs.

[@keepingitreal.544]

True..I listen to this song for a pick me up :)

[@lightertheif1]

There are some songs that just stay with you for life and always make sense this is one of them. Brilliant.

[@michelle88960]

My brother in law loved this song. He would put it on the jukebox all the time. Sadly he was killed in a car crash and this was played at his funeral. Made me smile. He even used to do the dance. Bless him. It made us all smile when his 4 year old son started dancing to it in the crematorium.

[@Rascaduanok]

Sorry for your loss. But it really IS a terrific dance! Especially the kicky legs bit.

[@cherinacoll6640]

Sorry to hear that

[@Ruben_Cantabria]

I'm so sorry

[@jax17.43]

Yikers 8960..remember the happy times i guess.

[@stanleymorgan2448]

I'm just letting you know but Stan cullymore is my grandad I will show this to him

[@SarahLouiseUK]

God I loved the 80s. This song brings me so much joy

[@thedodgyyank]

Never underestimate the power (and entertainment value) of a group of geeks.

[@paulplaskwa1600]

Timeless classic 👌

[@ShaunFrere1]

I remember this superb song way back in 1986 whilst bricklaying in Dartmouth Park, Morley, Leeds, England with Stuart, John, Billy and Tony on the so called "Community Programme." These lads were some of the best people to ever walk on God's earth. Those days are long since gone and I'm a Grandad now. Great memories, and those years have gone so fast. Peace and love to all.

[@MarkSmith-er7fe]

i wanna go back so badly mate

[@posypoodle6034]

Community programme? I think that’s what I got on, getting you back into work. Happy days indeed

[@tomg5187]

Jobsnotwar Peaceforall Lovely story thanks John. Doesn’t time fly!

[@mainstay.]

The old folks in 1986 said time goes by so fast, I never believed them. I understand now.

[@pearlharbour3300]

could bring a tear to an ex hod carriers eye that,,,all the best.

[@iganatiousjr]

Their hits album, Now That's what I Call Quite Good, is one of my favourite albums. One great song after another.

[@roberthintze5437]

sorry im writing here from germany but must say when im in birmingham to watch a match from aston my friends brought me to a pub and we danced to the housemartins i feel like im in heaven with beer and a winning game against arsenal......so long ago.... makes me smile

[@brentontarrant995]

Just a shame your the enemy...villa...ZULUS

[@NicholasShanks]

Beating Arsenal always brings a smile.

[@bananaben366]

Up the villa

[@4EyedAnimation]

That dance they do is awesome

[@michaelcummings5038]

Franky goes to Hollywood

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

Fun and charming tune, never loses its appeal.

[@naltyjohn]

I am an American who was born and grew up in San Jose, CA. Housemartins were never big in the US but I did see this video on an old show called "Video One".... I never knew who the group was who did "Happy Hour" but i found it here! Thank God for KZbin. I now have listened to other Housemartins songs and feel like I missed out. I wish I could get the CD here! Why they never made it big in the U.S. I will never know!

[@casandrabullock9497]

I saw them on video one too! You actually can get the album That's What I call quite good the housemartins and I highly recommended as a girl from Huntington Beach!

[@user-xs6hf1xo9i]

This ,GENTLEMAN Paul was so underrated ,,with the housemartines and BEAUTIFUL South. BRILLIANT 💯 👏 💯 songs 🎵 and his lyrics FANTASTIC. Thanks Paul 👏. 😢 😮 😢.

[@dusanrakic5955]

the worlds end brought me hear and wery glad to have heard such a great classic

[@turntableable]

Same here - Watching the end of that, and I'm like "I know that song!" Good to find an old song that you haven't heard in forever.

[@indiagates774]

yeh I was watching that film and at the end I heard that song, and I just shouted out "I love this song!"

[@emilybond2603]

So glad I'm not the only one brought here by such an amazingly hilarious and beautiful film, loved the whole trilogy and honestly all the films Pegg, Frost and Wright have made together, just the best trio for film making :)

[@rdo1231]

this song always makes me feel happy - just so brilliant!

[@chantellelitmanen7896]

spot on mate

[@chantellelitmanen7896]

@piratRazor1911 what the hell r u on

[@derekporter7658]

This reminds me of being a 15 year old and skiving school!! Happy days, happy tune!!

[@thunderclaps94]

Proud to say these guys lived and grew up very close to where I now live, Ella Street is the heart and soul of Hull

[@LordWhittaker]

One of the best records ever Such fun

[@Bethfromwigan]

i love this group, and also Beautiful south !

[@AJM01]

I can't believe how long ago this was. I loved it as a young kid at school and the video always makes me smile!

[@user-ji2bq4rw6m]

One of my favourite songs of all time. I was about 16 when it was released. It made me smile then. It makes me smile now. To this day, I can't watch those opening bars as they arrive at the pub without laughing hysterically. Brilliant.

[@NibberKSmooth]

Is it ok that I'm crying with joy?

[@waterstreet68]

Oh yeah!! I bought an EP of this track back in the mid-80s at my favorite after-school hangout, the Tower Records on El Camino Ave in Sacramento--the 2nd-ever Tower store--what a drag when that chain went under! The Imports section was a continuous goldmine of progressive/alternative music back then and informed my music tastes from punk to new wave to 2Tone/mod to college rock/alternative. I'd head over to Tower Books first and buy copies of The Face and iD Magazine, then scour the imports for whatever was burning up the charts in the UK at the time. The Housemartins were one of those discoveries. I'd put this album on at my friend's house in his cavernous garage conversion of a room that was The Hangout, and we'd all dance like silly maniacs and climb the furniture to this song. I'd not seen the video until now, but it is exactly as I pictured a video to the song should be. Great video--it matches the carefree, upbeat nature of this song perfectly--so cute and they're all dancing around just like WE did back in the day!

[@charliemeggitt4387]

Pump up the jam

[@limatedman]

Always able to raise a smile.

[@76marji]

💚 HOW COULD ANYONE NOT LIKE THIS SONG?!

[@IggyMontpellierPro]

I always thought Paul Heaton's voice had a sort of "happy Morrissey" vibe to it.

[@michelle88960]

+Iggy M I never thought I would ever see a sentence with "happy" and "Morrissey" in it, but there you go, if you live long enough strange things happen lol.

[@garwoc216]

michelle88960 HAPPY (in the haze of a drunken) HOUR

[@graemepae100]

is there such thing...as happy Morrissey

[@anerley123]

@@graemepae100 “I can smile; I have mastered the art.” Morrissey

[@graemepae100]

:-D@@anerley123

[@Jlittlelife]

a very underated group

[@charliemeggitt4387]

Pump up the jam

[@alberttatlock5237]

Underated? They had plenty of hits and have never been called underated

[@DandyLion662a]

@@alberttatlock5237 Maybe not in the UK but pretty much unknown in the USA. Their loss.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Indeed. They deserve to be the 3rd Best Band in Hull.

[@CrazySprite]

Ever since I heard this on the radio, it’s been stuck in my head :)

[@ddelaney712]

Damn, I loved this song on release. It was different. Remember the 80's? Full of posing, looking good, Sellafield, cold war, corruption, starvation. And this wonderful gem just made me feel that everything was going to be okay. For at least a hour. Happy hour. Caravan of love being another classic. Thank you Stan, Paul, Norman and Hugh, just for making everyone's life a little better in dark times.

[@TrueCourse]

Hull for the win! :). Thanks for sharing! Great song :)

[@clarkyclarky010]

The day ted key came into my school, great day, he performed some songs cause he used to come to the school and I got a signed album, he's a great guy!

[@floydroadheroes]

Just love this band and this is a flippin wonderful track and video! CLASSIC!!!!!

[@leoturgeon7783]

Played very long ago in my younger days 95.5 wbru Providence RI.., Thanks for the post

[@tedcantu1]

From a special time and place !!

[@stephenanderson6670]

happy hour ,,,,, yes please

[@pearlmode]

Oh My... I loved this video! This song! almost forgot about it till I found it by accident just now. As I watched it everything came back to me... every little move, every little facial expression they made, how I adored Norman Cook... Housemartins... there is no such innocence or sincerity left in music anymore...

[@ScrittiSparkle]

i was in a pub in bridlington with my mate when i last heard this in the 80s ,thats what its all about,being happy,priceless.thanks

[@Saeched]

Sat round the dinner table and my dad throws out he knew Stan Cullimore and the band stayed at his flat, Norman Cook (Fat Boy Slim) had a huge toast appetite apparently! Safe to say it was one of the best nights of his life...

[@lavatramp]

If The Smiths could have wrote a happy song this would be it.

[@dannydorko7075]

they certainly wrote a fair few happy songs musically....not sure about lyrically

[@stephenandrews8419]

Fantastic... Everybody dance 👯👯👯👯👯👯👯💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

[@derekgaffney7689]

They were one of my favourite bands great music thank you boys Derek from Dublin 🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪💚💛

[@speakertreatz]

ah, great memories.. perfecting these dance routines for friday night teen disco

[@TimHunold]

+Gavin Paisley i was so terrified to do any of these moves out of the house

[@speakertreatz]

haha Tim, it took a while for me and mates to get the courage to do them in front of the ladies but once we broke the seal, we showed them off every friday (y)

[@willford8475]

Freddie Starr Ate My Housemartin! Lol. RIP Freddie

[@marilyns8497]

What's lol about that? Not funny.

[@20cFilmWannabe]

when i die i would like to go back to the 80s

[@jaume081173]

fantastic song and music' group, thaks ti give to the people this woderfull experiencies., great thanks again, the word need to happen more happy hours

[@mikebott6940]

When you look so ordinary and clean cut, you can deliver slaps in the face with ease.

[@sergiodavid5025]

Una canción perfecta para animarse :)

[@erickrueger6885]

Brings back great memories from college ,the fall of 84 was unforgettable.

[@GlazierOEF]

Mr Heaton and the rest are legends. Thanks a lot for writing this song. 2008 but still top five on my list.

[@pudsrus2]

Next time the clocks go back mines going back to the 80’s.

[@RobertMorgan34]

"We'll have five waters...."

[@olearysgrave]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. It doesn't get better than this. So funny, so catchy, so HAPPY. P.D. Heaton you're the best.

[@djvelouria]

What a great video - makes me love this song even more!

[@461Masterchief]

This makes me wanna walk The Golden Mile in New Haven...

[@Deadlock239]

Do us a favour and don't upset the locals. Just drink your pints, and leave. Last thing we need is a world without internet

[@NeilCWCampbell]

All hail gary king of the humans

[@joebaumgart1146]

The Doctor Brought me here!

[@Tedirey]

Cool song! That's some dancing for it's time! Thank you for posting.

[@cal6772]

Great great band, one of the best of the 80s!

[@salus1231]

For the love of god were did that time go

[@ladycplum]

0:56 Brought to you by the Ministry of Silly Walks.

[@rdo1231]

Love these legends

[@scouse1967]

Still the best ever housemartins hit,what a song,what a video.Always makes me feel good when i'm on a downer

[@FreshSqueezedLightning]

Is it nutty? Is it foamy? Is it hoppy? Does it have a surprisingly fruity note which lingers on the tongue?

[@abijones8792]

It’s beer!!

[@nimurdelemur7515]

Yes.....YEEESSSS

[@abbieiscoolx]

@@Estrella3 Mmm! We'll have five of those please

[@madmase2831]

Ahhh the prodigal son's have returned

[@neilhogg1219]

And you’re drinkin fuckin.... rain

[@robertfarnsworth3706]

Not sure I would confuse The Smiths and The Housemartins. Mind you I did pretty much worship both during my teens!

[@mmark8394]

Robert Farnsworth z9

[@ronniemacdonald2768]

Listen to "I want the one I can't have" and come back to me.

[@sirsoulbrother]

This is fantastic. Had never seen this video. Just made me really happy.

[@wittstl03]

This whole album is terrific!

[@ravenhill_firelord_1968]

they look like my mates from college back in the 80's.

[@kungfuninja55]

Who the hell do you think you are? They call me the king...

[@slayedtorest]

Axel Trainwagon Yes! Great movie. That's how I found this song.

[@EthanAnania]

Axel Trainwagon The World’s End

[@sharonblair4892]

That is not nice

[@chantellelitmanen7896]

they call u the prick probably small

[@BossmanKebab15]

Gary king of the humans

[@pia.s5814]

Happy Smile Dance what a great feeling listen to this amazing track 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜😁😁😁😁😁

[@resarflaup1]

what a band pure class

[@krisaaron8180]

America needs more pubs in my opinion.

[@germanpenn]

Perhaps it's just me, but I find Paul Heaton's voice quite similar to Morrisey's

[@iliadde]

germanpenn Totally agree

[@deadzombie4477]

+germanpenn They did say they would only reform if the smiths did.......lol

[@CarSVernon]

+germanpenn I thought this song was by the Beautiful South; but at least the vocalist is the same and im not crazy lol

[@joeytwosubs]

+germanpenn Fuck off, the lot of you. Go on!

[@KaitainCPS]

Yeah, they both have a similar catch. Heaton's is higher-pitched, though. But my Heaton and Morrissey impressions are basically interchangeable. The best song to sing for Heaton is "Sail This Ship Alone".

[@lisathomas-re2lm]

THANK YOU for putting this on here, so glad i came across it. Huge throwback to my first or second year of college. This made me smile.

[@gabrieljesus4171]

The housemartins uma das melhores bandas de todos os tempos !!

[@crispinhandly6159]

if it sounds like The Smiths its because the riff was borrowed from The Smiths - I Want the One I Cant Have which was released a year earlier

[@1977Futre]

Back in the days when happy hour was at lunchtime!

[@stevenburns784]

LOL..true , used to get steamed , then back to work to sleep

[@1977Futre]

God yeh. Remember the hazy feeling of trying to work in the summer. On Friday we would carry on after work.

[@jarretliotta4602]

This is the best song & the best video ever!! Thanks for posting!!

[@KingALBoy]

always puts me in a happy mood this one

[@aliencow101]

The bar keeper in this video, looks just like the one in The worlds end, the one that just goes "eh?" SAME GUY

[@peivandryks5217]

Barenaked Ladies' "Hello City" brought me here.

[@paultomlinson5326]

Quality video and tune - they were the best!!!

[@MENARDOT]

J'adore !!!!!!!!!!!!! Les années Lycee...

[@devrimruzgar3017]

2018????!

[@MrNooshk]

Paul Heaton, one of the coolest men on this planet... am i wrong?

[@willb3698]

Norman Cook - he moved with the times. Funny to see him here. I was part of that 'cricle' back then, and I remember asking about him and someone replied he had bought some Akai Samplers, was taking a few E's, being in Brighton a lot....... and we couldn't believe it when he joined the world again. Total transformation - he absolutely knew what he was doing!

[@jonathano4305]

He was actually dj before he was in the housemartins so it wasn’t really a transformation

[@evgarcia90]

Fantastic. The 80s left us a great music legacy! Thanks YoUTube

[@china1013]

I was like, when the heck did this Smiths b-side come out? Wow, the HouseMartins. Cool. Gonna check out their other stuff now.

[@china1013]

cockshield I've been religiously listening to The Smiths since the mid 80's that's why I was confused to why I didn't know the song. Oh silly me.

[@galetinm]

I've heard that Johnny Marr said that this song is a lazy ripoff of I want the one I can't have.

[@estebanrey]

Is that Phil Jupitus reading a paper at 1:00?

[@mutley6161]

yes :)

[@nigelsouthall7479]

Yes it is.

[@Nick_Jarrett]

"featuring a cameo by television comedian Phill Jupitus, who toured with the band under his stage name of "Porky the Poet"." "Jupitus became press officer and compere for The Housemartins (appearing in the 1986 music video for "Happy Hour"), using the role to continue being in front of an audience, while also filling support slots for other artists. "

[@gbjanuary]

estebanrey yes looks like him 😜😜

[@NeilCWCampbell]

Porky yes

[@davehughes4042]

Back in the day went into.a bar they played this track none stop for the full happy hour 🍺 . Brilliant

[@uclrichard]

a wonderful video - great memories of an innocent time...with a slight edge to it..

[@davidcarrol8371]

Hull 2-Arsenal 0 after 8 minutes of F.A. Cup Final. shame it didnt last!

[@KingALBoy]

I was watching the game in the pub. Geezer in there had a 800 quid bet for Hull to win. I nearly felt bad for him, but I am a gooner

[@mbrackeva]

Everyone stop comparing The Smiths to the Housemartins! They don't compare and that's the end of it.

[@THESM1THS]

.

[@Maryonpark]

Both guitarists used Rickenbacker's! lol

[@frankgoodall6885]

The only difference the boys came from Humberside & morrisey was a Manchester boy..X :)

[@marguskiis7711]

Literally identical ones. Hairdos are a bit different tho.

[@megharris3088]

The smiths are kings that is all...

[@steviebhoy4414]

Brilliant track, cheering me up through the lockdown along with the rest of my playlist. Thank God for KZbin!!

[@angelabonnar2374]

Steviebhoy absolutely had no sleep this lockdown is taking too long ....going through all the tunes from my youth

[@steviebhoy4414]

@@angelabonnar2374 Same here, over in Spain. total lockdown. You can only watch so much Netflix so a couple of hours listening to tunes from my youth also get me through the day!

[@tonidmc]

Times of innocence, XR3i's, good music, etc. good old times!

[@devrimruzgar3017]

tonidmc your coment is old!

[@nehiyaw1010]

My friend that this song was sung by the Barenaked Ladies. We are friends no longer.

[@thewonkyeyedwoman]

nehiyaw10 the Barenaked ladies 😂😂 I went to see these in concert in Toronto

[@rnwillow]

Fat boy slim started with the Housemartins

[@Ni5ei]

Er, yes. That's why he's in this video...

[@PrettyBetty9]

Absolutely agree!! one ticket would be for me, of course! I spend the 80's singing their songs!

[@queenkay6981]

Love this x