About the song
In the vibrant landscape of 1960s pop music, few songs have managed to capture the essence of their era as seamlessly as “The Happening,” the iconic 1967 single by Motown’s beloved girl group, The Supremes. Released as the theme song for the Columbia Pictures film of the same name, this enchanting tune not only served as a soundtrack to the movie’s release but also catapulted The Supremes to new heights of success. As the song soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in May 1967, it marked the group’s tenth number 1 single in the United States, cementing their status as one of the most successful and influential musical acts of the decade.
With its lush harmonies, soaring vocals, and timeless melody, “The Happening” has become an enduring classic of Motown’s golden era. The song’s impact was not limited to the United States, as it also peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 5 in both the Australian Pop Chart and the Dutch Pop Chart. Despite the film itself failing to make a lasting impression at the box office, “The Happening” has endured as a testament to the group’s remarkable talent and the enduring appeal of Motown’s signature sound.
In this analysis, we will delve into the history and significance of “The Happening,” exploring its creation, release, and enduring impact on popular culture. We will examine the song’s musical composition, lyrical themes, and the role it played in The Supremes’ remarkable career. By exploring the context and legacy of this beloved song, we hope to shed new light on the enduring appeal of “The Happening” and its place in the pantheon of Motown classics.
Video
Lyrics
Hey, life, look at me
I can see the reality
‘Cause when you shook me, took me out of my world
I woke up
Suddenly I just woke up to the happening
When you find that you left the future behind
‘Cause when you got a tender love
You don’t take care of
Then you better beware of the happening
One day you’re up, then you turn around
You find your world is tumbling down
It happened to me, and it can happen to you
I was sure, I felt secure
Until love took a detour
Yeah, riding high on top of the world
It happened, suddenly it just happened
I saw my dreams fall apart
When love walked away from my heart
And when you lose that precious love you need
To guide you
Something happens inside you, the happening
Now I see life for what it is
It’s not all dreams, ooh, it’s not all bliss
It happened to me and it can happen to you
Once
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Ooh, and then it happened
Is it real, is it fake
Is this game of life a mistake?
‘Cause when I lost the love I thought was mine
For certain, suddenly I started hurting
I saw the light too late
When that fickle finger of fate
Yeah, came and broke my pretty balloon
I woke up
Suddenly I just woke up to the happening
So sure, I felt secure
Until love took a detour
‘Cause when you got a tender love you don’t
Take care of, then you better beware of