Love (Can Make You Happy)

"Love (Can Make You Happy)" is a song written by Jack Sigler, Jr. and performed by Mercy. It reached #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard's Easy Listening chart in 1969.^[1][2] The song also reached No. 2 on Canada's RPM 100,^[3] and No. 1 on RPM's Adult Contemporary chart.^[4]

The song was ranked #42 on Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 songs of 1969.^[5]

History

The song was originally released on Sundi Records, but as the single climbed up the charts, the group's lead singer, Sigler, faced being drafted. Sundi Records quickly released the album Love (Can Make You Happy) that included the song plus other cover songs that were not recorded by any of the original group. Sigler, who ended up not being drafted, signed the group to Warner Bros. Records where they recorded a sound-a-like version of the single and released the album, Love Can Make You Happy. Since Sigler never signed with Sundi, the record label was sued and the original album was banned from distribution.^[6]

The Sundi recording was produced by Mike Apsey and Ron Resler^[7] and the Warner Bros. recording produced by Brad Shapiro and Steve Alaimo.^[8]

Other versions

• Boris Gardiner released a version of the song as a single in Jamaica in 1969.^[9]
• James Marvell released a version of the song as a single in 1981 that reached #90 on the country chart.^[10]

In media

• The original version of the song was featured in the 1969 film, Fireball Jungle.

References