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Happy Nation

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Happy Nation
Studio album by
Released2 November 1992
RecordedJanuary–May 1992
Genre
Length49:21
Label
Producer
Ace of Base chronology
Happy Nation
(1992)
The Sign
(1993)
Alternative cover
U.S. version (re-release)
Singles from Happy Nation
  1. "Wheel of Fortune"
    Released: 29 May 1992
  2. "All That She Wants"
    Released: 31 August 1992
  3. "Happy Nation"
    Released: 7 December 1992
  4. "Waiting for Magic"
    Released: 12 April 1993
  5. "The Sign"
    Released: 1 November 1993
  6. "Don't Turn Around"
    Released: 14 March 1994
  7. "Living in Danger"
    Released: 4 October 1994
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]
The Guardian(favorable)[2]
Music Week[3]

Happy Nation is the debut studio album by the Swedish pop group Ace of Base. It was initially released in Denmark on 2 November 1992 by Mega Records. During the album's development, the group was significantly influenced by a Jamaican reggae band that was recording in a nearby studio.[4] For its release in North America, Japan, and some Latin American countries, the album was retitled The Sign, featuring a heavily revised track listing along with three new tracks. To coincide with this, Happy Nation was reissued with the new tracks in other territories under the title Happy Nation (U.S. Version). In 1995, Guinness Book of World Records recognized the LP as the best-selling debut studio effort in music history, with over 19 million copies sold worldwide.[5] By 1998, Happy Nation/The Sign had sold approximately 21 million units, including 9 million in the U.S. alone.[6] Happy Nation/The Sign remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Background and release

[edit]

In an interview with Music & Media magazine, Metronome Records managing director Albert Slendebroek remarked on the album:

Everything was being driven by grunge or techno, then suddenly these people arrived and did something which was completely different and happy and simple. I just think they write brilliant pop tunes and it hit a nerve at the time. (...) I think they've developed their own style. If you listen to the radio and you hear a record, you immediately recognise that it's Ace of Base.

— Albert Slendebroek, [7]

Following its initial release in Denmark in November 1992, Happy Nation was gradually released across Europe throughout 1993, starting in Norway in January, followed by Sweden and Germany in February, and then the UK in June. It was also released in Africa and Latin America, reaching the number one position in at least ten countries.

Happy Nation (U.S. Version) was released on 22 November 1993 to coincide with the album's launch in North America under the title The Sign. This edition featured the new tracks "The Sign", "Living in Danger", and a cover of Tina Turner's "Don't Turn Around", along with a remix of "Waiting for Magic" and a revised version of "Voulez-Vous Danser". It also included the new track "Hear Me Calling", which did not appear on The Sign. However, the songs "Münchhausen (Just Chaos)" and "Dimension of Depth" from the original album were removed. The updated version of the album was released in the UK on 14 March 1994 and climbed to number one on the UK Albums Chart on 26 June, surpassing the original release's peak position of number 21.

In 2016, the Russian label Mirumir released an "Ultimate Edition" on vinyl, containing the original track listing from the 1992 release, the additional tracks from the The Sign/Happy Nation (U.S. Version) releases, and the iTunes bonuses from all three releases.

Critical reception

[edit]

Alan Jones from Music Week described the album as a "diverse but largely dance-oriented" collection, noting that it includes "more gentle reggae stuff" alongside some techno and house elements. He felt that "nothing here compares favourably" with "All That She Wants", although he suggested that "if the right tracks are picked and remixed, there are more hits".[3]

Track listing

[edit]
Happy Nation – original version (1992)[8]
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Voulez-Vous Danser"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • T.O.E.C.
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:17
2."All That She Wants"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:30
3."Münchhausen (Just Chaos)"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:27
4."Happy Nation"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
4:11
5."Waiting for Magic"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
5:17
6."Fashion Party"JokerJoker
  • Joker
  • Johnny Lindén[a]
  • Martin Selwall[b]
4:10
7."Wheel of Fortune"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • T.O.E.C.
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:52
8."Dancer in a Daydream"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:37
9."My Mind" (mindless mix)
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
4:09
10."Wheel of Fortune" (original club mix)
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • T.O.E.C.
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:58
11."Dimension of Depth"N/AJoker
  • Joker
  • Buddha[b]
1:45
12."Young and Proud"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:54
13."All That She Wants" (Banghra version)
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
4:14


Happy Nation – remastered standard version (bonus track)[9]
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
14."Moogoperator"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • T.O.E.C.
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:31
Happy Nation – U.S. version[10]
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."All That She Wants"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:30
2."Don't Turn Around"
  • Hammond
  • Warren
  • Tommy Ekman
  • Per Adebratt
3:48
3."Young and Proud"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:56
4."The Sign"
  • Joker
Joker3:08
5."Living in Danger"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Ekman
  • Adebratt
  • T.O.E.C.[d]
3:41
6."Voulez-Vous Danser"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • T.O.E.C.
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:17
7."Happy Nation"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
4:13
8."Hear Me Calling"
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Linn
  • Jenny
  • Buddha
  • Stonestream[a]
  • John Ballard[a]
3:48
9."Waiting for Magic" (total remix 7")
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Buddha
  • Stonestream
3:50
10."Fashion Party"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
Joker4:10
11."Wheel of Fortune"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • T.O.E.C.
3:52
12."Dancer in a Daydream"
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:37
13."My Mind" (mindless mix)
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
  • Joker
  • Buddha
4:08
14."All That She Wants" (Banghra version)
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
4:14
15."Happy Nation" (Remix)
  • Joker
  • Buddha[c]
  • Joker
  • Buddha
3:45
Happy Nation – remastered U.S. version (bonus track)[11]
No.TitleLength
16."Giving It Up" (Ace Version)3:29


Happy Nation - China edition[12]
No.TitleLength
1."All That She Wants"3:30
2."Happy Nation"4:11
3."Wheel of Fortune" (original club mix)3:58
4."Voulez-Vous Danser"3:17
5."Young and Proud"3:54
6."Dancer in a Daydream"3:37
7."Waiting for Magic"5:17
8."My Mind" (mindless mix)4:09
9."Fashion Party"4:10
10."All That She Wants" (Banghra version)4:14
Happy Nation – U.S. version (All That She Wants: The Classic Collection)
No.TitleLength
14."All That She Wants" (Banghra version)4:14

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies re-editing
  • ^[c] signifies rap lyrics
  • ^[d] signifies pre-production
  • ^[e] signifies a remixer

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Label
Denmark 2 November 1992 Mega
Germany 22 February 1993 PolyGram
United Kingdom 7 June 1993 London Records 90
Europe (re-issue) 22 November 1993 Mega / PolyGram
United Kingdom (re-issue) 14 March 1994 London Records 90

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[41] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[42] Platinum 50,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[43] 2× Platinum 160,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[44] Gold 82,715[44]
France (SNEP)[45] Diamond 1,000,000*
Germany (BVMI)[46] 3× Platinum 1,500,000^
Korea 700,000[47]
Netherlands (NVPI)[48] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Mexico 500,000[49]
Malaysia 200,000[47]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[52] Platinum 50,000^
Sweden 50,000[53]
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54]
Happy Nation (US version)
Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] 2× Platinum 600,000^
Summaries
Worldwide 21,000,000[6]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th Concise ed.). United Kingdom: Omnibus Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-84609-856-7.
  2. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (1993-06-11). "Music: Rock/pop". The Guardian.
  3. ^ a b Jones, Alan (1993-06-19). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums" (PDF). Music Week. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  4. ^ "Ulf Ekberg (Ace of Base): The Interview". EuroMenTravel. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  5. ^ Tortorici, Frank (2000-05-18). "Ace of Base's Jenny Berggren". MTV. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  6. ^ a b Ferro, Charles (30 May 1998). "Ace Of Base Sprouts 'Flowers'". Billboard. p. 70. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  7. ^ Stratton, Sally. "Radio Plays Key Role In New Ace Of Base Album" (PDF). Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  8. ^ The Sign (booklet). Ace of Base. Mega Records. 1992. MRCD3206.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ "Happy Nation (Remastered) av Ace of Base". June 1993. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2019-01-07 – via itunes.apple.com.
  10. ^ The Sign (booklet). Ace of Base. Mega Records. 1993. MRCD 3239.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "Happy Nation (U.S. Version) [Remastered] av Ace of Base". January 1994. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2019-01-07 – via itunes.apple.com.
  12. ^ "Cartula Trasera De Ace Of Base". Coveralia.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Ace of Base – Happy Nation". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ace of Base – Happy Nation" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ace of Base – Happy Nation" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  16. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Ace of Base". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ace of Base – Happy Nation" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Archívum › Kereső - előadó/cím szerint". Mahasz. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  19. ^ Racca, Guido (2019). M&D Borsa Album 1964–2019 (in Italian). ISBN 9781094705002.
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  22. ^ "Top 10 Sales In Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 24. 21 May 1994. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ace of Base – Happy Nation". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ace of Base – Happy Nation". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ace of Base – Happy Nation (U.S. Version)" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Ace of Base – Happy Nation (U.S. Version)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ace of Base – Happy Nation (U.S. Version)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ace of Base – Happy Nation (U.S. Version)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  31. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1993". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on 13 October 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  35. ^ "Top 100 End of Year ARIA Charts - 1990s". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  36. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  37. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  38. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1994 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  39. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1994" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  40. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1994 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  42. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Ace of Base – Happy Nation" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  43. ^ Heick, Annette (1993-06-13). "Dobbelt platin". BT (in Danish). Copenhagen.
  44. ^ a b "Ace of Base" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  45. ^ "French album certifications – Ace of Base – Happy Nation" (in French). InfoDisc. Select ACE OF BASE and click OK. 
  46. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ace Of Base; 'Happy Nation')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  47. ^ a b "Aces High" (PDF). Billboard. 1 October 1994. p. 45. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021 – via World Radio History.
  48. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Ace of Base – Happy Nation" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Happy Nation in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  49. ^ Lazcano, Hugo (November 18, 1995). "Vendra a Mexico Ace of Base". Reforma (in Spanish). p. 14. ProQuest 311213957. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  50. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Ace of Base – Happy Nation". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  51. ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 937. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  52. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Happy Nation')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  53. ^ Tilli, Robert (27 March 1993). "Ace Of Base Hops From Region To Region" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  54. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Happy Nation (U.S. version)')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  55. ^ "British album certifications – Ace of Base – Happy Nation". British Phonographic Industry.