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My Top 40 Happy Rhodes Tunes: #’s 16 – 20

Equipoise

As we crack the Top 20 we’re seeing a lot of Equipoise. Three songs from that album appear in this batch, with several more still to come! Not much else to unite these five songs, other than the otherworldly beauty of Happy’s voice. We’ve got some lovely ballads, an upbeat pop song, an inventive homage to her father and a gentle acoustic number. So like Happy to keep things ineresting.

#20.) Mother Sea – Equipoise (1993) – A haunting and somewhat mournful paen to our Mother Sea, Happy’s voice drifts above a gorgeous, simple piano accompaniment by Martha Waterman, and lush keyboard washes to provide texture. I love the changes of mood that ripple through the song. The verses have a bit of longing, or yearning laced in them, then the chorus starts off builds, calling out the power of the sea and its glories, but then it ends on a minor note and a downward cascade of piano notes while Happy sings, “I remember now, how it goes.” It’s aurally reminiscent of some the ‘Twin Peaks’ score; filled with beauty, longing, and sadness.

Mother Sea is another track taken from Equipoise, which was my first Happy Rhodes album, but it wasn’t one of the breakout songs for me. In fact, I rediscovered it’s power and beauty during my research for this list. It’s the third of eight tracks from that album on my Top 40.

#19.) Look for the Child – The Keep (1995) – Look for the Child was first released on the Ecto album, but it is the version of Happy’s The Keep album, a collection of acoustic versions of previously released songs and rarities, that makes it to my Top 20. The Ecto version is quite different, with some heavy electronic drums, and lots of layered keyboards, while on The Keep, it is the acoustic guitar that drives the song forward, with some edgy electric guitar work, and some beautiful harmonics to provide the texture. Ultimately, what launches this gorgeous song into my Top 20 is the dramatic moment mid-chorus where the songs moves from a minor to major key with some dramatic acoustic guitar strumming. When that change occurs, it just feels like my body is lifting up into the sky and the emotion rises in my heart.

Lyrically, it’s simple and beautiful. If we want to be better people, better leaders, we should look to the child, before they are taught to fear, and to hate. Someone who is free of the influence, however loving, of the people around them. The purity and innocence of a child whose curiosity and wonder rule them, would be the qualities we would want in our leaders. Sadly, we very quickly learn to purge that out of our characters. I’ve included a live version of the song as well, because it features Kelly Bird, who toured with Happy for a while, recreating her uncanny vocal harmonies so beautifully.

#18.) Out Like a Lamb – Equipoise (1993) – Family relationships always make for good song-writing fodder, and with Out Like a Lamb, Happy explores the relationship she had with her father. It’s an interesting song, both musically and lyrically and certainly one of the many high points on Equipoise (there are still lots more to come). Lyrically, there definitely seems to be some ambivalence in the lyrics, and it’s definitely exploring the relationship from an adult point of view looking back on what seemed like an absent father situation. I like the fluctuations in the chorus, with the lyrics sometimes declaring, “He’ll call me when he’s back in town, this I know,” and alternatively, the less assured, “He’ll call me when he’s back in town, surely.” And other lyrics certainly imply an initial bravado that would lead to a hasty departure… the classic in like a lion, out like a lamb, scenario. What’s fascinating was reading one fan’s interpretation that the song is about a serial killer sung from the point of view of an admirer, or perhaps his next victim. Fascinating the different ways we can interpret a song.

Musically I like militant snare drum enhancing the mood and the subtle use of bagpipes must surely be representative of the family heritage, but it sounds cool, and avoids the traditional sound one might expect. The keyboard work is fantastic, with multiple textures to denote the conflicting feelings, the strong piano chords, the percussive opening, the airy synth washes. As ever, Happy fills the song with varies tones and moods, a perfect complement to what was clearly a complex relationship. It certainly speaks to the maturing of Happy’s talents not only as a songwriter, but as a musician and a recording engineer.

#17.) Hold Me – Building the Colossus (1994) – Life is hard, and despite mustering all the confidence you can, sometimes you get worn down and you just need someone to hold you. That’s the basic, but universal truth being stated in Happy’s Building the Colossus opener, Hold Me. There are lots of things I like about Hold Me, besides its intricate arrangements, and accessible melody (this is nearly a traditional pop song!), but most of all, this song is a really great showcase for Happy’s voice, featuring all three of her traditional modes of singing. I read that one person thought Hold Me was a duet between Annie Lennox and Kate Bush, which is fairly amusing, given I don’t think either of them could plumb the depths of Happy’s lower register.

Happy’s three voices include her elfin soprano, something that sounds like it should be coming out of the faerie folk, rather than a grown woman; her deep, otherworldly voice, that surely is far below an alto, or possibly even a tenor, approaching baritone levels; and finally, her bold, strong alto where she can string with strength and power, or with fragility and emotion. The opening verse and chorus feature Happy’s soprano, rolling over your hears like the chirps of a songbird. When the bridge hits, you have Happy’s alto boldly singing about her confidence, and being echoed back to her by that insanely deep, otherworldly voice. It’s hard to wrap your head around, but it’s a special talent that makes Happy so unique. On a side note, love David Torn’s ripping electric guitar solo towards the songs end.

I’ve included a live version of Hold Me as well, because it’s such a different arrangement, focusing more on the acoustic guitar than the keyboards, and shows off Happy’s skill as a songwriter as it still holds up remarkably well.

#16.) He Will Come – Equipoise (1993) – Here is Happy’s precursor to The Flight a duology about a vampire and his vampire hunter lover. He Will Come is the precursor to The Flight, which was #30 on my Happy Top 40, and it’s where an ancient vampire first sees Gabrielle, the woman who he recognizes will one day end his immortal existence and end his undying pain. Lots of beautiful imagery in the lyrics about these star-crossed lovers, with lovely music to match.

The keyboard washes and percussion provided by Rhodes and Kevin Bartlett sets the perfect tone, with the synths mimicking strings through the chorus. Add in some truly lovely acoustic guitar work by Chuck D’Aloia, and this gentle yet sweeping tune conjures visits of Gabrielle dancing while the Count looks on. Sweet and simple with delicate beauty.

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My Top 40 Happy Rhodes Tunes: #’s 21 – 25

Happy Performing Live

Sorry the longish break, but welcome to the newly migrated Justgiblets.com! Had to change my webhosting platform, but fortunately everything seems to have gone just fine. So we’re back looking at my favorite Happy Rhodes tunes, entering the Top 25 this week! Things almost start to get arbitrary here, with the order really reflecting my tastes of the day, I think. All the songs from here on in are just that good. This batch of songs also sees the first appearance of songs from Find Me, the last album Happy recorded of her own material, way back in 2007! (Too long, Ms. Rhodes).

#25.) Play the Game – Equipoise (1993) – I love the sincerity and earnestness that Happy tackles gender roles and identity in Play the Game. It’s pretty direct with its message, almost to the point of treacly, but the simple keyboard arrangement, and the gentle manner in which Happy delivers the melody are undeniably beautiful. I always liked how she points out the difficulties of both genders…

“If I have to be pretty to be liked
Then I think I’m dead in the water
I never want to have to be like the boys
To be allowed to play with the toys”

And it’s a bit of a throwback musically, with Happy on keyboards, and Kevin Bartlett on percussion, but it augments the simpleness of the song that belies the message.

#24.) Warpaint – Warpaint (1991) – It’s mind-boggling, that Happy Rhodes fifth album was recorded and released THIRTY YEARS AGO! I was still two years away from discovering her, but as I’ve mentioned before, Warpaint was the first album Happy conceived of as a piece, rather than just a collection of recorded songs from her past. It’s also the first album for which she used musicians other than herself, and you can feel the change, especially on the title track. Sure the tribal drums and percussion were handled by Ms. Rhodes (programmed or otherwise), but the sinuous guitar parts courtesy of Happy’s new producer, Kevin Bartlett, and that gorgeous fretless bass by Bob Van Detta add the perfect texture fo Happy’s keys.

The song, Warpaint is a powerful one, whether you interpret the lyrics that include references to warpaint, eagles, and the warpath, to apply it to the near genocide of Native Americans, and their resistance, or take it broader, and how experience and the past are represented as the lines on your face, and prepare you for the battles you will inevitably face as you move through life. I love the passion in Happy’s voice on this one too, especially the last few lines of the live version when she sings “I fight to the death.” In a sense, isn’t life one big fight? One struggle to survive? I’ve included a lovely live rendition of Warpaint along with the audio track. I love how so much of Happy’s work is keyboard washes, and when she performs lives, she often replaces those with acoustic guitar, and it still works.

#23.) Fall – Find Me (2007) – The first song to appear in my Top 40 from Happy’s most recent album is a gentle song about passing. Whether it’s about a person dying, or the passing of a season is up for interpretation. On first read, the lyrics seem pretty clear that something is ending, and it very well could be a person’s life. But there are a lot of references that could be pointing to a seasonal transition, spring/summer turning over to fall/winter. There is reference to gardens, cold, moss, moon… all referencing the cycle of time. I really love how Happy writes lyrics that can be open to many interpretations.

Musically, this one really grabs me. I always love a descending melodic progression, and Happy augments that falling melody that she’s singing with some lonely piano notes. (In fact, it’s very reminiscent of one of my favorite Emm Gryner songs, Visiting Hours – ranked at #11 in my Emm Top 40 – which is also about someone dying.) Fall has that same gentleness in the music and the way Happy sings it. I love the gorgeous interplay between the finger-picking of the acoustic guitar, and the spare and haunting, but somehow (for me) comforting piano part. And I love the tenor of Happy’s voice in the final verse.

#22.) Many Worlds Are Born Tonight – Many Worlds Are Born Tonight (1998) – The title track to Happy’s 1988 album, Many Worlds Are Born Tonight is a sonic epic. From the strange scuttling sounds that start the song, I just get drawn right in. Then Happy’s voice, used as a tapestry against which the song will be sung.The layering of the keyboards, Kevin Bartlett’s e-Bow, and the many vocal parts that Happy offers creates a gorgeous sonic pallet. The sounds she creates with her voice are so lush and full, supporting her vaguely inspiring, vaguely cautionary lyrics. In fact, the song ends with the growl of a beast, so I’m left with conflicting thoughts on its meaning.

The song starts off as an exploration of inspiration, or energizing, or a call to live and feel to the fullest, explore the wonders and scary spaces in your head — ‘If you want, then want a lot…’ Happy says, but embrace yourself in your alone time as well: ‘Turns the lights out for a while, and have a rock with the solitude.’ To me it feels like a very uplifting song, and so gorgeously constructed. It sneaks up on you though… I overlooked it for years before really discovering it’s beauty.

#21.) Queen – Find Me (2007) – Queen catches me right from the intro, with those intricate layered harmonies, and Happy’s declaration that she is my queen. Then the song launches into those crunchy rhythms… there are a series of Happy songs that have a similar rhythm that I refer to as crunchy. The song has the feel of a lumbering beast. There’s something about that feel that I love. Another stand-out about Queen are definitely Happy’s vocals. From the layered textures she constructs from her voice, to the afore-mentioned harmonies, to the ping-ponging between registers. Add to that those sustained electric guitar wails, and you’ve got a powerful song that draws you in and thrills your senses.

Lyrically there’s a lot going on, as usual. The narrator is professing her loyalty as a queen, and calling forth lost souls that she will support. Toward the end of the song though, she talks about how wearing it’s been and she can no longer do it. Not sure if this is about a particular character, or an allegory for Happy’s position as a musician with admirers.Either way it works well, but this one is all about the music and production for me.

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My Top 40 Happy Rhodes Tunes: #’s 26 – 30

Happy Rhodes

It’s funny. Each time I sit down to write an entry for the next five Happy Rhodes songs on my list, I end up rearranging them a bit. It just goes to show how difficult it is to rank her songs, and it gets harder and harder the higher up we go, especially in the Top 20. I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I did get to see Happy perform lived as a solo artist once, and then a few more times in a Peter Gabriel tribute band Security Project. I very much hope to see her perform more of her own material again someday, and hopefully she will record another album of her own soon. Actually, I want the album more than the show. The studio is where Happy really excels!

#30.) The Flight – Equipoise (1993) – Happy’s sixth studio album is notable for me, as it was the first of her work that I was purchased. Because of that, it has possibly impacted me the most of all her work. Eight songs from this album made my Top 40, with The Flight being the first at #30. Interestingly enough, the second and third tracks from Equipoise, The Flight being track three, are about the same characters, a vampire, and his vampire hunter lover., Gabrielle. In The Flight, Happy pairs somber verses with her skittish keyboards and Kevin Bartlett’s bass and percussion to tell a story of an ancient vampire who grows weary of existence and is ready to submit himself to his killer, Gabrielle. I search around to some references to a vampire hunter named Gabrielle, and there is one notable character from a Role-playing game based novel, House of Hell where Gabrielle is a niece of one of the notable Van Helsing family, who were famous vampire hunters in pursuit of Count Dracula. Another Gabrielle of note came from Ann Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, but she is a vampire, not a hunter. For me, it’s the intricate music juxtaposed with the dreamy lyrics that make this song so interesting.

#29.) Murder – Warpaint (1991) – Happy often tackles some of her toughest subjects lyrically while wrapping them in upbeat, poppy melodies. Murder is one of these songs while the singer grapples with the darker side of human nature. She states that she believes in the goodness in humanity but struggles with the impulses that cause people to do harm to others, and in particular, animals. The percussive beat does have a sinister tone, but the verse comes in with a positive major melody. it’s a song about questioning, about trying to grapple with darkness. Those darker sounds come in at the chorus, in her search for the root of this darkness so she can understand it. She sings with passion, especially the lines, “You cannot defy their will, but I would rather die than kill.” It’s not until the last verse when she mentions the apathy of a woman who stands by and watches a cat die that there might be a hint of the song being about mans violence toward lesser creatures, a theme that comes up in some of her other songs. The emphasize her point, the song ends with a distorted lead guitar line that takes us out of the song.

#28.) Glory – Building the Colossus (1994) – The third of nine songs from Building the Colossus to appear in my Top 40, Glory is the closing track, and is another song that tells of her love of animals. It’s a lovely, gentle song, with an odd opening that features conversations in the background and a slow fade in with some lovely bass work, and light percussion. Then a nice acoustic guitar propelling the verses forward. It’s a very simple track the was one of my early favorite songs. It’s got a great outro too, again highlighting the bass playing by Kevin Bartlett, and some great drumming by Jerry Marotta. It’s funny, Happy has said that Building the Colossus is an album that she can’t listen to because she doesn’t like the production. She says she likes some of the songs on it, but she feels that looking back it doesn’t hold up. Ironically, it’s the album that seems to be my favorite, as it has the most songs on this list, and the most songs (4!) in my Top 10! Just goes to show, there’s an audience for all of your work, Happy!

#27.) If I Ever See the Girl Again – Building the Colossus (1994) – I can actually see why Happy might be a little disappointed with the production on this song… it’s a little bit on the nose, sounding like the opening of The Addam’s Family. But the lyrical message is so great and spins out so cleverly, you can forgive any clumsiness in the song structure. When all is said and done, it’s actually damn catchy and fun, and ultimately triumphant. It starts off with Happy criticizing a girl she sees who she thinks is pathetic, and how if she ever sees her again, she will befriend her. It turns out, it’s adult Happy looking back on her younger self, and essentially accepting herself and loving herself. It’s actually pretty close to a pop song, and one that often catches the attention of people who hear it that don’t know Happy.

#26.) Ra is a Busy God – Many Worlds Are Born Tonight (1998) – Textures. Happy does wonders with textures, and nowhere more so than in this song. From the opening wind chimes and the sound of the crashing surf, and a morse code-type signal moving from left to right to the first keyboard washes and Happy’s plea for Ra to take her with him. Keyboards pop, bass riffs swoop, all while Happy celebrates the Egyptian god Ra, who rules over the sun, the sky, the earth, even the underworld. It’s playful, even while it’s atmospheric. The singer is longing for Ra’s attention, and she is envious of his friends, the moon, the rain, the wind. She could be an ancient worshipper in Egypt, or perhaps she is a modern-day human just glorying in a beautiful day. The fun sing-songy bridge adds a playful touch before some gentle electric guitar picking underscores some call and response between the different voices of Ms. Rhodes. I’ve included a live, acoustic, live version of the song because it shows how beautifully Happy’s songs are constructed so that they are beautiful in so many forms. And what a great percussionist!

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My Top 40 Happy Rhodes Tunes: #’s 31 – 35

Happy Rhodes

As we close out the bottom ten of the Top 40 songs by Happy Rhodes, her penultimate album to date, Many Worlds are Born Tonight starts flexing its muscles with three more songs appearing. In addition, we say goodbye, for the most part, to her four earliest albums, with Rhodes II and Ecto each making an appearance. (There will be surprising return way up in the Top 10!) It’s actually very hard to compare the rich, layered instrumentation of Happy’s later work to the stripped-down acoustic guitar accompaniment of her early work. Both are beautiful but sonically so different. I think in the end I have a preference for the lush, keyboard-influenced works.

#35.) Looking Over Cliffs – Many Worlds Are Born Tonight (1998) – Many Worlds Are Born Tonight is certainly one of Happy’s best albums, and Looking Over Cliffs is the second song from that album to appear in the Top 40. A lot of Happy’s songs are inspired by media and literature, and this song was inspired by the film The Last of the Mohicans, which is a film I really didn’t like at all. However, Happy takes that overblown moment when Daniel Day Lewis screams, “Stay alive at all costs! I will find you!” into Madeline Madeline Stowe’s face, and turns it into something raw and powerful. Actually the lyrics of Looking Over Cliffs are a little overblown as well, but what saves it is the emotion that Happy imbues into the song. The incredible bridge when Happy pushes her voice to give it a ragged edge, while the piano chimes away in the background is pretty chilling. That fretless bass work is pretty awesome too.

#34.) When the Rain Came Down – Ecto (1987) – It strikes me that my favorite song from Happy’s fourth album, Ecto is a bonus track that was not even included on the original cassette release. When the Rain Came Down sounds like it was dropped in from another album altogether, and even beyond the watery title, it is reminiscent of something Peter Gabriel might have sung in his early solo days. A nice tribal drum pattern starts things off before Happy’s voice gently begins the repeating melody in her deeper register. Then as is often the case, the chorus launches Happy into her upper register floating over some lovely synth-washes and gentle acoustic guitar arpeggios. The lyrics are vague, bringing to mind creation myths and how rain renews and refreshes. Last year, a compilation of Happy’s early work was collected on an album called Ectrophia, and When the Rain Came Down was released as the first single. Also included below is a cool live version from a living room concert.

#33.) Roy (Back from the Offworld) – Many Worlds Are Born Tonight (1998) – Another movie-inspired track from Many Worlds Are Born Tonight, this song is all about the Rutger Hauer character form Blade Runner. Roy has the distinction of being the only Happy song to hit the charts, a remixed dance version of the song peaking at #42 on Billboard’s Dance charts. It’s catch chorus, and danceable beat make it one of Happy’s livelier songs, and it features some nifty guitar work as well. I always thought it was one of Happy’s more accessible songs as well. I’ve included the studio track, but also a jaunty live version as well.

#32.) The Revelation – Rhodes II (1986) – One of Happy’s earlier songs, from the Rhodes II album, follows the style of her work at the time: a gently finger-picked acoustic guitar, and Happy’s glorious soprano atop it. The gently falling melody that starts the song captures you immediately, with a plaintive, haunting tone. Lyrically, there are dark undertones, as is also customary for Happy’s early work, as she sings about there being so sun, only moon… nor is there reality. Perhaps there’s only delusion? Or madness? Or retreat for a little girl from something too horrible to comprehend, such as abuse? She seems to be singing to some character named Mikey, and she references “her beast” which call to mind the demonic figures that she painted for her early album cover work. Perhaps this beat, Mikey, is her protector in her world of escape. Either way, it’s a haunting tune that sticks with you long after you’ve listened.

#31.) Winter – Many Worlds Are Born Tonight (1998) – This is a truly gorgeous song that shows off Happy’s deeper register beautifully. Slow, languid, haunting, and dark Winter is lush with keyboard and guitar washes, while Happy draws out individual words until they are nearly meaningless, but suffused with a sadness of loss. Then midway through, some gentle percussion emerges, and Happy starts vocalizing with choppy mouth sounds and high warbling wails before returning to the main thru-line of the song, but something has changed lyrically? Has she moved on? Is winter passing? Or has she descended even deeper into her sorrow? I’ve included the stunning recording from Many Worlds Are Born Tonight, but I’ve also included a live version that also captures her vocal ranges.

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My Next Round of Favorite Music: Happy Rhodes

Happy Rhodes

People occasionally ask me why I m ake lists of my favorite songs by particular artists. It’s not because I think it’s particularly interesting to anyone but me, although I do hope that someone might stumble across something they’ve never heard before, and enjoy a new song or artist. The first list I did was for Canadian singer/songwriter/rock goddess Emm Gryner. I had been listening to Emm’s music for about 20 years after discovering her through a Happy Rhodes e-mail discussion group called Ecto, and she had released quite a few album. Emm is so prolific, and I am such a bad music listener (I rarely take the time to sit and just listen to music so I can learn titles and remember individual songs) I decided to go through Emm’s entire catalog and note my favorite songs. I enjoyed that process so much, listening to songs over and over to get them in just the right order, that I decided to replicate the process with two of my favorite bands, Fleetwood Mac and Heart.

Happy RhodesAt some point I realized that I was working my way toward the list of my favorite Kate Bush songs, which made me think about Happy Rhodes. Like Emm, Happy was quite prolific and had a major body of work. In addition, I discovered her just as she was releasing her sixth album, so once I fell in love with her music, I went back and bought her first five albums, all while she continued to release new music. Again, because of my poor music listening habits, I knew there were a handful of songs I really loved and could name if someone asked me, the rest of her music kind of blended together for me as music by an artists whose work I really admired. This was the perfect opportunity to really dig into Rhodes’ twelve albums and listen to each song carefully and multiple times to rank all of her music.

It took me weeks. Even now, as I am embarking on finally writing my list to the public, i suspect I may make a tweak or two as I go along. This was by far the most difficult list to rank to date. Happy’s music is so diverse and varied that I kept moving things around. Of the 120 plus songs I have ranked, I’m pretty confident with the first 75, as songs worthy of attention that I was able to rank. The remaining 45 didn’t stand out to me, so they are rather shoddily ranked. I’m going to focus on my Top 40 Happy Rhodes songs, with just a mention of some of the songs that didn’t make that cut.

Another reason why I was excited to write about Happy Rhodes, is that so very few people have heard her, or even heard OF her. Of the half a dozen people who may read my blog, I’m hoping that one or two may discover a new, incredible talent through this list of favorite Happy Rhodes songs, and of the other few, they already love Happy and we can compare our favorites. Since so few people know about Happy Rhodes, I will start with a brief summary of her musical career.

Happy Rhodes performing with her latest band, a Peter Gabriel appreciation combo, The Security Project.

Born Kimberley Rhodes, she was called “Happy” since infancy, and legally changed her name when she was 16. She was born in Poughkeepsie, NY and spent most of her life in upstate New York. She started out creating music after receiving an acoustic guitar as a gift form her mother at age 11. At age 14 she was performing her own songs at school talent shows, and after dropping out of high school at age 16, and getting her GED, she began her dream of performing by appearing at “Open Mic” nights in the Saratoga, NY area. Happy soon met the owner of a recording studio, Cathedral Sound Studios in Rensselaer, and became a studio intern to learn recording techniques. The studio owner was impressed with Rhodes’ voice and songwriting, and volunteered to record all of the songs she had written to that point.

Rhodes ISoon after, Happy met Kevin Bartlett, a musician who had his own recording label, Aural Gratification, and he released all the songs that she had recorded to date on cassette. She had enough songs to release three cassettes at the same time in 1986, Rhodes Vol. I, Rhodes Vol. II, and Rearmament, followed one year later by a fourth cassette release, Ecto. These first four albums all featured Happy on all instruments, with the first two largely just acoustic guitar and voice, and the latter two adding in electronic keyboards. These releases weren’t conceived as albums, but just collections of her previously written songs.

With the release of her fourth album, Warpaint, Happy was writing new songs, and adding in guest musicians. There was a notable maturing of her songwriting skills as she began to stretch her musicianship and her songwriting to the glorious heights I have come to love her for. She released four more albums on Aural Gratification in fairly quick succession, Equipoise, Rhodesongs, Building the Colossus and The Keep, before moving to another label to release her 10th album a few years later in 1998, Many Worlds Are Born Tonight. Her last album to date, Find Me, was recorded in 2001, but not released until 2007. Recently, a compilation of her early works from the first four albums was released on CD and vinyl on an album called Ectotrophia.

In my next entry I will start to count down my Top 40 songs by Happy Rhodes, but there were so many songs I wanted to fit into my Top 40, that as a preview, here are ten more songs that I just couldn’t leave off. I’ve linked them to their audio/video so go take a listen if you are so moved, and know that there are many more amazing songs to come! And a note for those who don’t know Happy… all the voices you hear are Happy’s, believe it or not.

50.) The Chosen One – Find Me (2007) – From Happy’s final studio release, this is a lovely song about someone who feels left behind as others around her are pairing off in marriage… about buying into the fairy tale and just feeling lonely. Not my favorite lyrically, but it’s a lovely song, and in addition to the link of the recording in the title, here’s a lovely live version.

49.) The Wretches Gone Awry – Rhodes I (1986) – A perfect example Happy’s early work; a simple, gently galloping acoustic guitar finger-picking its way through an enchanted world with Happy’s multiple angelic voices weaving and diving, and singing about the glories and the failings of humanity, and choosing to focus on the good.

48.) Suicide Song – Rhodes I (1986) – Also from Happy’s first release, she wrote this when she was very young, and this was the first song she ever recorded, probably on a portable cassette player. It’s a heart-breaking song that is about exactly what the title states. In addition to the original audio linked in the title, here’s a live version from a concert she performed in 2005.

47.) Dying – Building the Colossus (1994) – Jump forward a decade or so and Happy’s considerably expanded her production level. This lush song isn’t really about death, but about isolation, and fear of showing your heart to the world, and worse, being ignored by someone you love. I love who this song has multiple tempos and styles, something you will see a lot in Happy’s songs. Happy said in an interview that Building the Colossus is her least favorite album. Ironically, I think it’s my favorite.

46.) If Love is a Game, I Win – Ecto (1987) – Heavy synths drive this song that nicely showcases both of Happy’s vocal ranges in a looping melody and storyline about being thoroughly happy in love. Incidentally, Ecto was the last of Happy’s albums that I owned. I thought I had them all, and as I was preparing for this series of posts, I realized that I didn’t have this one, so I quickly dowloaded it I knew many of the songs from various compilations, but I was shocked that I didn’t already own it! Now, my collection is complete.

45.) The Flaming Threshold – Rhodes I (1986) – Another in the vein of Wretches, solo acoustic guitar and Happy using her voice like the instrument it is. I like how Happy pushes her voice a bit on the verses, giving it a little bit of an edge. This one’s about desire, risk and the rush of performance — you reach out, sometimes you’re going to get burned. It’s an interesting point of view told from a performer and looking at the desire in their fans’ eyes and choosing to reach out directly to them. Surprisingly, this one, like Suicide Song were bonus tracks added to Rhodes I when it was released on CD.

44.) Charlie – Find Me (2007) – And here’s the first of the dark rockers that I like to think of as a little bit like juggernauts. They have a heavy power the propels them inexorably forward. This one is taken from her last album, and combines her deep register with some electronically distorted shrieks to tell the story of a disturbed, hopeless man who killed himself, and how the singer could have just as easily been in his position, as could all of us. Happy often writes about literary and film characters, so I don’t know if Charlie is one of those, or completely comes from Happy’s imagination.

43.) Wrong Century – Warpaint (1991) – Happy definitely mines science fiction themes i her songs, and again, whether Wrong Century is based on another work or just Happy’s own imagination, she paints the picture of a man trapped in a woman’s body in another time period than their own. What’s notable about this song is the dramatic duet with Mitch Elrod in the chorus. Their songs blend together really well and make for quite the powerful moment.

42.) If So – Ecto (1987) – In this song, the singer has been horribly hurt by someone she loves. She asks what they did was worth it, and to tell her the truth, and if it’s true, then it’s over between them. Happy’s vocals are deceptively gentle, making the tone of the song much more chilling. The live clip below was taken from a 1996 concert at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia.

41.) I Say – Equipoise (1993) – My first experience with Ms. Rhodes came when I purchased Equipoise. I’m very glad my first impressions of her were during this period, when she was experimenting with more lush, expansive production, combining her gentle acoustic work with more electronic sounds. This album closer is a gentle ode to claiming one’s own identity and cautioning others not to rely on the words of others to define them. It’s another complex song where Happy creates multiple sections that all have a different feel, while maintaining the themes and gentle momentum of the song as a whole.

Before closing, I need to thank Vickie Williams, Happy’s greatest evangelist, without whom it is doubtful that I would have ever heard of her. Many of the audio and video clips linked here from YouTube are courtesy of Vickie and her husband. Thanks for bringing some Happy into my life, Vickie!