The world’s most popular song

The song Happy Birthday to You is perhaps the most universally recognised worldwide. Its origins date back to the late 19th century when two American sisters, Patty Hill and Mildred J Hill, composed a tune titled Good Morning to All. Patty was a kindergarten principal, and Mildred was a musician. They wanted to create a simple, easy-to-sing melody for young children.

Initially, Good Morning to All was used as a classroom greeting song. However, over time, the lyrics were adapted to celebrate birthdays, eventually becoming Happy Birthday to You. The first documented use of the birthday lyrics appeared in print in 1912, though it’s likely that the transition happened informally much earlier.

For most of the 20th century, Happy Birthday to You was copyrighted, making it one of the highest-earning songs in history. In 1935, the Summy Company, which later became part of Warner/Chappell Music, registered the copyright. This meant that public performances, film usage, and commercial recordings required a licensing fee.

The copyright dispute continued for decades, with many arguing that the song should be in the public domain. Finally, in 2016, a US federal court ruled that Warner/Chappell’s copyright claim was invalid, declaring that the songbelonged in the public domain. This legal victory meant the song could be freely used without any fees.

Fun Facts and Trivia

1.     Happy Birthday to You has been translated into multiple languages, making it a global tradition.

2.     The song was sung in space in 1969 by the Apollo 9 astronauts, making it the first song performed beyond Earth.

3.     The Guinness World Records lists Happy Birthday to You as the most recognised English song worldwide.

4.     Before the copyright was lifted, the song reportedly generated over $2 million annually in royalties.

5.     The song has been featured in countless films and television shows, often leading to alternative birthday tunes being used to avoid copyright fees.

6.     Famous renditions include Marilyn Monroe’s sultry performance for President John F Kennedy in 1962 and The Beatles’ birthday shoutouts in their song Birthday.

7.     In 2017, researchers identified that the song tends to be sung 5% slower when performed for close friends and family, adding to its sentimental value.

Happy Birthday to You is more than just a song — it’s an essential part of birthday celebrations across cultures. Whether sung at a small family gathering or in grand public events, it symbolises joy, love, and togetherness. The tune has become deeply ingrained in global traditions, making birthdays feel incomplete without it.