The Origins and History of the World's Most Famous Song "Happy Birthday"

The History and Origins of the Happy Birthday Song

The song "Happy Birthday to You", more commonly known as simply "Happy Birthday", is one of the most recognizable songs in the English language. It is sung around the world to celebrate the anniversary of someone's birth. But where did this popular tune originate from?

The Early Origins

Researchers trace the melody of "Happy Birthday" back to a song called "Good Morning to All", which was written by American siblings Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill in 1893. Patty was a kindergarten teacher and created the tune for her young students to sing when entering the classroom each morning. The lyrics went:

Good morning to you
Good morning to you
Good morning dear children
Good morning to all

The tune proved very popular and began to spread to other kindergartens and schools. Over time, people realized the melody could be sung using alternate lyrics for other occasions - like someone's birthday.

The Addition of Birthday Lyrics

By the early 1900s, the "Good Morning to All" tune was paired with basic birthday lyrics similar to what we know today. One of the earliest publically printed versions appeared in a 1912 songbook titled Song Stories for the Kindergarten. The song was called "Happy Birthday to You" and the lyrics were:

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear (name)
Happy birthday to you

This early version included the phrase "happy birthday" multiple times that we still sing today. Over the next two decades, "Happy Birthday" grew more popular across American culture and became a traditional song sung at birthday celebrations.

The Song Gains Official Recognition

In the 1930s, the growing popularity of "Happy Birthday" received more mainstream attention. The song finally gained an official copyright in 1935 from the childhood publisher Clayton F. Summy Company. After the copyright registration, royalties had to be paid by anyone wanting to publish or record the song commercially. Radio announcer's also began referring to "Happy Birthday" as the national birthday song or the official birthday anthem of American culture.

Warner/Chappell Music Acquires the Copyright

In 1988, Warner/Chappell Music purchased the original 1935 copyright registration of "Happy Birthday" for a reported $25 million. Warner/Chappell then began enforcing their copyright claim more aggressively across music publishing to receive royalties from any commercial usage.

Over the next 25 years, Warner/Chappell Music earned an estimated $2 million annually in royalties from "Happy Birthday." Any time you saw a depiction of "Happy Birthday" at a restaurant or in a TV show or movie, Warner was likely receiving a royalty payment.

The Copyright Expires

Given the age of the song, questions began swirling about whether or not Warner/Chappell actually controlled the copyright to "Happy Birthday" under current US law. After years of legal debate and attempts by others to invalidate Warner's copyright, the final ruling came in 2016 when a US District Court declared the copyright invalid and put the song in the public domain.

The judge determined the original copyright only applied to the specific piano arrangements created by the Hill sisters in the 1930s. The foundational melody and lyrics of "Good Morning to You" that later became "Happy Birthday" were not eligible for copyright. So as of 2016, no one owns the commercial rights to "Happy Birthday" anymore.

The Global Popularity Endures

Today the song remains popular as ever and is now freely used in commercial mediums without paying royalties. While the copyright debate may finally be settled, it seems no ruling, proprietary claim, or legal technicality could ever dampen the global popularity of the traditional "Happy Birthday" tune. There is probably no other song in history sung as frequently to people across the world each and every day. Though the roots may have ties to late 19th century American classrooms, "Happy Birthday" has become the universal anthem for celebrating the passing of time and another year of life.

FAQs

Who originally wrote the Happy Birthday song?

The original song "Good Morning to All" was written by two American sisters named Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill in 1893. The tune later evolved into the birthday song lyrics we know today.

When did Happy Birthday become the official birthday anthem?

The growing popularity of "Happy Birthday" led it to gain an official copyright in 1935. After that it began being referred to as the national birthday song in American culture.

Who owned the song rights for decades?

The rights were bought in 1988 by Warner/Chappell Music for $25 million. They then earned royalties from commercial uses of the song for years until the copyright expired.

Is the song still under copyright today?

No, as of 2016 a court ruling found the song to be in the public domain. So today no royalties need to be paid to use the song commercially.