Happy To Give

[froy]

"Songs" like Happy are what IMO led to the decline of popularity of Journey in rock. That was about it for me. That song has gay all over it...I mean come the fuck on already. Happy to Give? And you guys are in a rock band? Why the Hell didn't Neal say "no" to this piece of shit?

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

[Rockindeano]

Song's never done much for me... Suzanne is much better. There's absolutely no hook in Happy to Give.

NOPE

Nope what dipshit?

If you think Suzanne is better than Happy To Give you need your head examined Its the best song on ROR hands down.

Um, dipshit, if HTG is a much better song, or the "best song" on ROR, why wasn't the fucking thing released as a single? I'll tell you why.

In order of singles, Be Good to Yourself went first, and charted at #9, then followed by Suzanne which got to #17. IBAWY was next(forgot where that tune charted followed by Why Can't This Night, checking in at a whopping #57. That's why HTG wasn't released. The album ran out of steam, and HTG was not single worthy. I vividly remeber waiting for the next single to drop, thinking it could be ROR the song or maybe Positive Touch, but at the same time thinking, there are no other viable songs that could be singles.

HTG sucks, plain and simple. Had Herbert or Sony released that putrid pile after BGTY, the album would have stalled out right there. The song was just a mudhole. it would have stopped sales too, as anyone hearing it on the radio(gasp), would have never thought about buying that record.

[annie89509]

Song's never done much for me... Suzanne is much better. There's absolutely no hook in Happy to Give.

NOPE

Nope what dipshit?

I'm guessing that he meant, "nope," there's no hook in HTG. I'll bet he's agreeing with you. It takes awhile to get used to Froy's posting style!

He's saying there is absolutely no truth to what Matty says ^^^here ...

Right...Froy is one of those hardcore fans that I was referring to who ranks HTG as one of Journey's (and SP's) finest songs. Don't know exactly why (he never elaborates), but Froy is an old-timer on messageboards, and he knows his stuff.

Really?! Seems like he would've learned to quote!!

lol, MG...maybe he's all fumbles around the keyboards.... like me.

[Ehwmatt]

Song's never done much for me... Suzanne is much better. There's absolutely no hook in Happy to Give.

NOPE

Nope what dipshit?

If you think Suzanne is better than Happy To Give you need your head examined Its the best song on ROR hands down.

Um, dipshit, if HTG is a much better song, or the "best song" on ROR, why wasn't the fucking thing released as a single? I'll tell you why.

In order of singles, Be Good to Yourself went first, and charted at #9, then followed by Suzanne which got to #17. IBAWY was next(forgot where that tune charted followed by Why Can't This Night, checking in at a whopping #57. That's why HTG wasn't released. The album ran out of steam, and HTG was not single worthy. I vividly remeber waiting for the next single to drop, thinking it could be ROR the song or maybe Positive Touch, but at the same time thinking, there are no other viable songs that could be singles.

HTG sucks, plain and simple. Had Herbert or Sony released that putrid pile after BGTY, the album would have stalled out right there. The song was just a mudhole. it would have stopped sales too, as anyone hearing it on the radio(gasp), would have never thought about buying that record.

Froy the song goes nowhere. Not to mention it has that gay whatever kinda solo at the end, can't remember what instrument it is and I'm not revisiting that shit pile to jog my memory. Everything is horrible about that song. Meandering structure, no hook, terrible lyrics, unbelievably dated triggered/reverb-soaked drums, no guitar... in sum: just pure shit.

[Ligzig]

I guess Perry knew that fans would think this song was a steaming pile of shit, so he included the lyrics "A song for the singer" meaning "Fuck off, this is for me!"

[Deb]

"Songs" like Happy are what IMO led to the decline of popularity of Journey in rock. That was about it for me. That song has gay all over it...I mean come the fuck on already. Happy to Give? And you guys are in a rock band? Why the Hell didn't Neal say "no" to this piece of shit?

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

Agreed, one of my Journey faves. But I prefer Could Have Been You from ROR over HTG for sure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIvLX615xUU

[Saint John]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

[Ehwmatt]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

Good lord, I just put this song on again this morning to see if I could change my mind. This song is literally horrendous. You gotta be kidding me anyone who likes this song. The keyboards and horrible triggered drums are bad enough... then you have the gay call and response "Happy to give." Sounds like a bad church hymn or something, especially when that synth trumpet or whatever the fuck it is comes in for the "solo." Good god.

At least It Could Have Been You makes me feel like I should grow a 70s stache, grow sideburns on my dick, and administer a good pounding to a full-bushed 70s pussy with said sideburns-adorned dick.

[Saint John]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

Good lord, I just put this song on again this morning to see if I could change my mind. This song is literally horrendous. You gotta be kidding me anyone who likes this song. The keyboards and horrible triggered drums are bad enough... then you have the gay call and response "Happy to give." Sounds like a bad church hymn or something, especially when that synth trumpet or whatever the fuck it is comes in for the "solo." Good god.

At least It Could Have Been You makes me feel like I should grow a 70s stache, grow sideburns on my dick, and administer a good pounding to a full-bushed 70s pussy with said sideburns-adorned dick.

HTG isn't Journey, it isn't good and no one liked it enough to even consider releasing it! It's total shit. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Todd H]

Happy To Give accomplishes that oh so rare feat of both sucking and blowing at the same time.

[Michigan Girl]

Damn you people are nuts! Happy to Give is a great song and Perry delivers a great vocal performance!

I agree, it is what it is ...a stunning vocal performance
Although; I'm not as passionate about it as Perry ...you cannot deny ^^^^without
admitting to the world that you have absolutely -o- sense what-so-ever!!

[froy]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

Happy To Give one one the best JRNY songs ever , gay this

[Jana]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

Happy To Give one one the best JRNY songs ever , gay this

[froy]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

Happy To Give one one the best JRNY songs ever , gay this

This should have been the second single released after Girl Can't Help It,

[Jana]

I'm going to put ROR in my car on my way to work today. Will listen with fresh ears and mind and see if I can get past the dated poppy instrumentals in places to move it up the ranks of my Journey favorites. Again, never had a complaint about Perry's vocals and most songs. Loved them. Just if Neal had been more involved in maybe the instrumental and Jon had gone in a different direction, maybe some of these dated bass sounds and such beats and intro melodies could have give the songs more of a classic pop sound or even a little more edge. I'm not talking about all the songs, just some.

I am the pop queen, so my major complaint is the datedness of some of it. Great pop is usually timeless.

[steveo777]

One of Perry's best songs ever next to Easy To Fall.
There is nothing gay about Happy To Give no way.

I'm speechless. I'll break down for you, man. Either Happy To Give is gay or you are.

Happy To Give one one the best JRNY songs ever , gay this

Crack is a powerful drug.

[NoMoreTails]

I'm going to put ROR in my car on my way to work today. Will listen with fresh ears and mind and see if I can get past the dated poppy instrumentals in places to move it up the ranks of my Journey favorites. Again, never had a complaint about Perry's vocals and most songs. Loved them. Just if Neal had been more involved in maybe the instrumental and Jon had gone in a different direction, maybe some of these dated bass sounds and such beats and intro melodies could have give the songs more of a classic pop sound or even a little more edge. I'm not talking about all the songs, just some.

I am the pop queen, so my major complaint is the datedness of some of it. Great pop is usually timeless.

You can blame the producer....

[kgdjpubs]

HTG isn't Journey

I always thought ROR was the continuation of Perry's attempts on Street Talk to make a Motown record. Mix Motown with Journey, and you basically end up with ROR, the album. If Be Good to Yourself was the pure Journey sound.........Happy to Give was pure R&B/soul with little concession to "Journey", starting with the intentional Sam Cooke ripoff of the opening lines.

Probably better off released as Perry solo, and the extended guitar solo from when Journey played it live a few years ago improved it a bit, but the song stands on its own if you can take Journey out of the equation.

[Ehwmatt]

HTG isn't Journey

I always thought ROR was the continuation of Perry's attempts on Street Talk to make a Motown record. Mix Motown with Journey, and you basically end up with ROR, the album. If Be Good to Yourself was the pure Journey sound.........Happy to Give was pure R&B/soul with little concession to "Journey", starting with the intentional Sam Cooke ripoff of the opening lines.

Probably better off released as Perry solo, and the extended guitar solo from when Journey played it live a few years ago improved it a bit, but the song stands on its own if you can take Journey out of the equation.

Caling Happy to Give R&B/Soul is an insult to that genre of music, which I am generally enjoy very much.

[EightyRock]

[quote="annie89509"]Jon says (in the Time3 liner notes) that this was Steve's pet song.

Cain also called Send Her My Love Perry's pet song.

[Jana]

I don't know where to begin after listening to ROR. A lot good, AMAZING vocals, but a lot of cheezy metallic keyboard sounding/dated poppy guitar sounding parts that I can't stand on certain songs. Even Tears for Fears' first album, The Hurting, written when he was 19, 20, in early 80s, even though dated, sounds less dated with the synth pop than some ROR songs. When I have time, I will address the songs. I will say After the Fall, The Eyes of a Woman, and Why Can't This Night Go On Forever are PERFECTION. Also, Raised on Radio, the song, is God awful. I hate that kind of song.

[Ehwmatt]

I don't know where to begin after listening to ROR. A lot good, AMAZING vocals, but a lot of cheezy metallic keyboard sounding/dated poppy guitar sounding parts that I can't stand on certain songs. Even Tears for Fears' first album, The Hurting, written when he was 19, 20, in early 80s, even though dated, sounds less dated with the synth pop than some ROR songs. When I have time, I will address the songs. I will say After the Fall, The Eyes of a Woman, and Why Can't This Night Go On Forever are PERFECTION. Also, Raised on Radio, the song, is God awful. I hate that kind of song.

After the Fall is on Frontiers... did you mean I'll Be Alright Without You?

[steveo777]

I notice Journey doesn't even play the good songs from ROR, except for BGTY. Why don't they play Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You and Suzanne?

[Ehwmatt]

I notice Journey doesn't even play the good songs from ROR, except for BGTY. Why don't they play Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You and Suzanne?

Pretty sure Neal is on record as saying he hates GCHI. IBAWY and Suzanne got some burn during the Augeri and JSS eras. During Augeri era, Deen sung them both frequently. During the JSS era, I think Jeff sang IBAWY.

[Jana]

I don't know where to begin after listening to ROR. A lot good, AMAZING vocals, but a lot of cheezy metallic keyboard sounding/dated poppy guitar sounding parts that I can't stand on certain songs. Even Tears for Fears' first album, The Hurting, written when he was 19, 20, in early 80s, even though dated, sounds less dated with the synth pop than some ROR songs. When I have time, I will address the songs. I will say After the Fall, The Eyes of a Woman, and Why Can't This Night Go On Forever are PERFECTION. Also, Raised on Radio, the song, is God awful. I hate that kind of song.

After the Fall is on Frontiers... did you mean I'll Be Alright Without You?

LOL Yes, I'll Be Alright Without You. Thanks.

[S2M]

I notice Journey doesn't even play the good songs from ROR, except for BGTY. Why don't they play Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You and Suzanne?

Pretty sure Neal is on record as saying he hates GCHI. IBAWY and Suzanne got some burn during the Augeri and JSS eras. During Augeri era, Deen sung them both frequently. During the JSS era, I think Jeff sang IBAWY.

That's cause there's nothing for Napoleon to do but stand there and look useless....wait, that's his normal look.

[Deb]

I notice Journey doesn't even play the good songs from ROR, except for BGTY. Why don't they play Girl Can't Help It, I'll Be Alright Without You and Suzanne?

Pretty sure Neal is on record as saying he hates GCHI. IBAWY and Suzanne got some burn during the Augeri and JSS eras. During Augeri era, Deen sung them both frequently. During the JSS era, I think Jeff sang IBAWY.

Yep........ IBAWY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDtHpo3I ... re=related Great version of Message Of Love too....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELD-d-h_ ... re=related

[Jana]

What I hate about It Could Have Been You.

Cheezy intro. What is that keyboards, guitar? I swear I can't tell. It's underlying the whole song and ruins a great song and tremendous vocals and great backing vocals. And finally Neal's guitar comes in nicely at 1:47. Unfortunately, a little later that melody/beat comes back in under Steve's vocals. But Neal does a few nice runs at the end. That beat throughout the song ruins the whole song for me. And I don't even know if it's John or Neal. I can't tell the instrument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIvLX615xUU

[Ehwmatt]

What I hate about It Could Have Been You.

Cheezy intro. What is that keyboards, guitar? I swear I can't tell. It's underlying the whole song and ruins a great song and tremendous vocals and great backing vocals. And finally Neal's guitar comes in nicely at 1:47. Unfortunately, that melody/beat comes back in under Steve's vocals. But Neal does a few nice runs at the end. That beat throughout the song ruins the whole song for me. And I don't even know if it's John or Neal. I can't tell the instrument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIvLX615xUU

The "funky" riff is heavily compressed/verbed '80s guitar with the keyboard playing chords under it in a decidedly 80s keyboard tone. I actually like this song. It's not like I typically get in the mood to specifically hear it, but I like the vibe of this one a lot.

[Jubilee]

I always thought ROR was the continuation of Perry's attempts on Street Talk to make a Motown record. Mix Motown with Journey, and you basically end up with ROR, the album. If Be Good to Yourself was the pure Journey sound.........Happy to Give was pure R&B/soul with little concession to "Journey", starting with the intentional Sam Cooke ripoff of the opening lines.

Probably better off released as Perry solo, and the extended guitar solo from when Journey played it live a few years ago improved it a bit, but the song stands on its own if you can take Journey out of the equation.

Love, love, love this song. And yeah, that opening line is dangerously close to the opening line of "A Change is Gonna Come". It's just a very simple, stripped-down, honest, effort. No bells & whistles. Probably should have been a Perry solo record, since there really isn't much room there for anyone else. I think this song certainly does fall into the "Soul" category. I don't know about Motown, necessarily (maybe more "Philly-Soul"), but I could definitely see another artist recording this very same song with little alteration, and releasing it as a Soul/R&B cut.