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Would You Be Happier?
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Would You Be Happier?
| cover = CorrsHappierCD1.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = the Corrs
| album = Best of The Corrs
| B-side = The Long and Winding Road
| released =
| recorded = 2001
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:24
| label =
| writer = The Corrs
| producer =
| prev_title = All the Love in the World
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = Would You Be Happier? (live)
| next_year = 2002
}}
"'Would You Be Happier?'" is a single by Irish band the Corrs, taken from their greatest hits album 'Best of The Corrs' (2001). The song was first released in Australia on 1 October 2001 and was issued in Europe later the same month. The single reached number 10 in New Zealand and number 14 in the United Kingdom, becoming a moderate hit in several other countries as well. In the United States, a live version of the track was released in March 2002 and charted within the 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary top 40.
Critical reception
'Music & Media' magazine named "Would You Be Happier?" their "Pick of the Week" on the 22 September 2001 issue, with Swedish music director Robert Jonsson saying of the track, "Quite often when you do a compilation with an extra song, the song is not that good, but this is." 'Billboard' magazine reviewer Chuck Taylor described the song as a "meaty pop anthem" and preferred the studio version over the Mitchell Froom-produced radio version, believing the studio version was "fuller".
Chart performance
In the band's native Ireland, the song first appeared at number 26 on the Irish Singles Chart on 25 October 2001, which would become its peak. On the UK Singles Chart, the song debuted and peaked at number 14 on 4 November and spent six weeks in the top 100. Across mainland Europe, it peaked at number 20 in the Netherlands and reached the top 40 in the Italy, Romania, and Switzerland. On Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, it spent a single week in the top 50, at number 47, on 28 October 2001. In neighbouring New Zealand, the track became the Corrs' fifth consecutive top-20 hit, as well as their last, when it attained a peak of number 10. It was additionally their third consecutive single to spend exactly 16 weeks on the New Zealand Singles Chart. A live release of the track charted in the United States instead, making it to number 30 on the 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary chart in May 2002.
Music video
The song's music video begins with lead singer Andrea Corr singing in front of a makeup vanity. As she does, scenes of the Corrs attending a demographics meeting are shown, with two men presenting different logos of the band name to the four siblings. The band is then shown in makeup, where they put on rockstar wigs and receive temporary tattoos for their first performance, which takes place during the first chorus. The Corrs watch this recording on a television, amused. During the second verse, the band relaxes on a couch while eating popcorn. The clip the siblings watch next consists of a hip hop motif, featuring Andrea, drummer Caroline, and violinist Sharon modelling a bright ride car. Guitarist Jim is dressed as a DJ for this part. Their final performance, taking place during the third verse, has a punk rock theme, with the band wearing mohawks and body piercings. They continue to watch these clips, throwing popcorn at each other. The rock performance is eventually drowned in smoke, and the band trash their instruments from the punk rock set. The video concludes with the band performing the original, casual style of "Would You Be Happier?", at which point the extras and directors applaud them.
Track listings
'European CD single'
# "Would You Be Happier?" (album version) 3:24
# "Would You Be Happier?" (alternative mix) 3:33
'European maxi-single and Australian CD single'
# "Would You Be Happier?" 3:24
# "Would You Be Happier?" (alternative mix) 3:33
# "The Long and Winding Road" (live) 2:58
'European enhanced maxi-single'
# "Would You Be Happier?" 3:24
# "Would You Be Happier?" (alternative mix) 3:33
# "The Long and Winding Road" (live) 2:58
# "Would You Be Happier?" (enhanced video)
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the European CD single liner notes.
'The Corrs'
* Andrea Corr lead vocals, tin whistle
* Caroline Corr drums, bodhrn, vocals
* Sharon Corr violin, vocals
* Jim Corr guitar, keyboard, vocals
'Additional musicians'
* Keith Duffy bass
'Writing and production'
* The Corrs writer, producer
* Wayne Wilkins co-producer
* Adam Brown engineering
* Andy Bradfield mixing
* John Hughes management
Charts
Release history
Live version
On 25 January 2002, the Corrs recorded "Would You Be Happier?" for their album 'VH1 Presents: The Corrs, Live in Dublin' (200). This version was released as a single in United States and became a top-40 hit on the 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number 30.
Music video
The video for "Would You Be Happier?" is pieced together from the session at VH1.Track listing
'US promo CD'# "Would You Be Happier?" (radio version) 3:28
# "Would You Be Happier?" (original studio version) 3:25
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the US promo CD liner notes.'Studio'
* Mastered at Gateway Mastering Studios (Portland, Maine, US)
'Personnel'
* The Corrs writer
* Mitchell Froom producer
* Bob Ludwig engineering
* Bob Clearmountain mixing
* John Hughes, Ron Shapiro, Linda Ferrando executive producers
Charts
Release history
References
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