"If It Makes You Happy"
Single by Sheryl Crow
from the album Sheryl Crow
B-side"I'm Going to Be a Wheel Someday"
ReleasedSeptember 3, 1996 (1996-09-03)
Studio
GenreRock
Length
  • 5:23 (album version)
  • 4:30 (radio edit)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow singles chronology
"Can't Cry Anymore"
(1995)		 "If It Makes You Happy"
(1996)		 "Everyday Is a Winding Road"
(1996)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"If It Makes You Happy" on YouTube

"If It Makes You Happy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, released as the lead single from her 1996 eponymous album in September 1996. The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Crow's final top-10 solo hit in the United States, and at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached number one in Canada and won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards. In 2003, Q Magazine ranked "If It Makes You Happy" at number 663 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".

Critical reception

"If It Makes You Happy" received positive reviews from music critics. Scottish Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that Sheryl Crow "continues to stay near the top of the premier league of slightly off the-wall female solo singers with what seems a near-certain Top 10 hit."[1] Swedish Aftonbladet described the song as "shuffling trad-rock".[2] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it "weary"[3] and "sexily exhausted".[4] Larry Flick from Billboard magazine stated that it is a "straight-ahead rocker that has far more bite than anything on her Grammy-lavished debut." He added that "seemingly endless touring has given her voice a sharp rasp, which benefits the song's ironic lyrics and holds up strong against the track's crunchy guitars." He also noted the track's "edgy nature" and "subtle but unmistakable hook."[5]

Daina Darzin from Cash Box viewed it as "an appropriately plain, anthemic song with the universally-appealing hook, "if it makes you happy, it can't be that bad", adding, "Fans who usually shop Wal-Mart will be looking for a new record store with this one, so retailers should stock lots and lots."[6] The Daily Vault's Sean McCarthy remarked that here, a "dirty guitar riff is established, complimenting Crow's gritty swagger."[7] Another Swedish newspaper, Göteborgs-Tidningen called it "darkly moody", picking it as one of two favourites from the album.[8] Rachel Cohen from The Heights felt "the familiar more expressive Crow of the first album is evident" on the song, declaring it as "one of the most peppy" on the Sheryl Crow album.[9] A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five and named it Single of the Week, noting that it "captures the raunchy rawk'n'roll feel of Crow's live sets. Though some may miss the fragility of her debut, this is good enough to shift bucketloads and is already winning airplay."[10] People magazine described the song as "country-tinged".[11] David Fricke from Rolling Stone said that "If It Makes You Happy" "is as good as it gets, juicing the feel of Tuesday Night with a little Friday night fire."[12]

In 2017, Billboard ranked the song number 10 on their list of the 10 greatest Sheryl Crow songs,[13] and in 2023, The Guardian ranked the song number four on their list of the 20 greatest Sheryl Crow songs.[14]

Chart performance

The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 44 on the week of September 21, 1996.[15] It entered the top 20 on October 19, 1996,[16] and fluctuated within the top 20 for roughly three months before reaching its peak of number 10 on January 25, 1997.[17] The song spent a total of 27 weeks on the Hot 100.[17] In Canada, on September 2, 1996, "If It Makes You Happy" debuted at number 78 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart.[18] Ten issues later, on November 11, it topped the chart for a single week.[19] It also reached number one on RPM's Adult Contemporary and Alternative 30 listings.[20][21]

In Europe, the single debuted and peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Crow's second top-ten single in the United Kingdom.[22] The British Phonographic Industry certified the song silver in January 2021 for sales and streaming figures of over 200,000.[23] It reached the top 40 in France, Iceland, and Sweden, reaching numbers 29, 17, and 20, respectively, and also charted in Flanders, Germany, and Switzerland.[24][25] On the Eurochart Hot 100, "If It Makes You Happy" settled at a peak of number 56.[26] It additionally reached the top 20 in Australia, rising to number 20 on November 17, 1996,[27] and in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 12 one week later.[28]

Music videos

Two different music videos for the song were made; both were directed by Keir McFarlane. The first was shot entirely in black-and-white. It begins with Crow in an apartment, donning a black raincoat. She then walks down a city street, rides a subway, is shown on a boardwalk, buys coffee at a mall, and then returns to the apartment. The second video was shot in color and features Crow in the Endangered Species section of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. She is dressed in a leopard-print fur coat and Yves Saint Laurent leather boots.

Impact and legacy

Q Magazine placed "If It Makes You Happy" at number 663 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever" in 2003.[29] Slant Magazine listed it at number 92 in their ranking of "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s" in 2011, writing, "After allegations that she was simply a pretty mouthpiece for her Tuesday Night Music Club, Sheryl Crow had a lot to prove with her sophomore effort. Originally conceived as a country song by co-writer Jeff Trott, the self-produced lead single, 'If It Makes You Happy', was a pointed departure from the gin-soaked roots-pop of Tuesday Night Music Club, starting with its heavy electric guitar riff and plodding drum beat, but not ending there. Crow's lyrics are a reflection on the massive success of her debut, with her stint at the muddy, mosquito-ridden Woodstock '94 festival serving as a metaphorical narrative for the stinging accusations and acrimony that followed."[30]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD1 liner notes and the Sheryl Crow album booklet.[35][40]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[63] Platinum 70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[64] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States August 27, 1996 Contemporary hit radio A&M [65]
September 3, 1996
  • CD
  • cassette
 [66][67]
United Kingdom September 9, 1996 [68]
United Kingdom September 23, 1996 CD [69]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Aberdeen Press and Journal. September 13, 1996. p. 16.
  2. ↑ Aftonbladet. August 17, 1996.
  3. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  4. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sheryl Crow – The Very Best of Sheryl Crow". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  5. ↑ Flick, Larry (August 24, 1996). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 34. p. 113. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  6. ↑ Darzin, Daina (October 19, 1996). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  7. ↑ McCarthy, Sean (August 13, 1998). "Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow". The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  8. ↑ Göteborgs-Tidningen. September 27, 1996.
  9. ↑ Cohen, Rachel (September 30, 1996). "Love is in the air for John's latest collection". The Heights. p. 28. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 31, 1996. p. 10. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Sheryl Crow". People. September 23, 1996. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  12. ↑ Fricke, David (December 26, 1996-January 9, 1997). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 750/751.
  13. ↑ Dauphin, Chuck (August 10, 2017). "Sheryl Crow's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ Cragg, Michael (August 3, 2023). "Sheryl Crow's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  15. ↑ "The Hot 100 – Week of September 21, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Hot 100 – Week of October 19, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  17. 1 2 3 "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  18. ↑ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks – September 2, 1997". RPM. Retrieved November 18, 2020 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  19. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9865." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9789." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9925." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  22. 1 2 "Sheryl Crow: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  23. 1 2 "British single certifications – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  24. 1 2 "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  25. 1 2 "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (3.10. – 9.10. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 4, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  26. 1 2 "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 39. September 28, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  27. 1 2 "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  28. 1 2 "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Q – 1001 best songs ever (2003)".
  30. ↑ "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s". Slant Magazine. January 9, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  31. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (US CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1874 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (US cassette single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1874 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1875 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31458 1874 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. 1 2 If It Makes You Happy (UK CD1 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 903-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (UK cassette single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 903-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (UK CD2 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 885-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  38. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (Australian CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 581 885-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ↑ If It Makes You Happy (Japanese CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. POCM-1199.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  40. ↑ Sheryl Crow (US CD album booklet). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1996. 31454 0587 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. ↑ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  47. ↑ "Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  49. ↑ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  50. ↑ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  52. ↑ "Sheryl Crow Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  53. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved February 25, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  54. ↑ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Retrieved February 25, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  55. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  56. 1 2 "Airplay Monitor Best of '96". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 24.
  57. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30.
  58. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved February 25, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  59. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  60. ↑ "Best of '97: Adult Top 40 Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 26, 1997. p. 45.
  61. ↑ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 26, 1997. p. 38.
  62. ↑ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  63. ↑ "Singles Accreditations Report - Nov 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1160. August 23, 1996. p. 34. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  66. ↑ "If It Makes You Happy / Keep on Growing". Amazon. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  67. ↑ "If It Makes You Happy". Amazon. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  68. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 7, 1996. p. 27. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  69. ↑ "イフ・イット・メイクス・ユー・ハッピー | シェリル・クロウ" [If It Makes You Happy | Sheryl Crow] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
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