Happy Working Song facts for kids

"Happy Working Song" is a fun song from the Disney movie Enchanted (2007). It was written by Alan Menken (who wrote the music) and Stephen Schwartz (who wrote the words).

The song is sung by Amy Adams, who plays Giselle in the movie. It's a fast-paced pop song that makes fun of, but also honors, other famous Disney songs. You might notice parts that remind you of "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

"Happy Working Song" is on the movie's official soundtrack, Enchanted: Original Soundtrack.

The song happens when Giselle wakes up in Robert's messy apartment in Manhattan. She has just arrived in New York from the magical land of Andalasia. Giselle decides to clean the apartment. She calls on animals to help her, just like in classic Disney movies. This scene is a nod to similar moments in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella (1950). The middle part of "Happy Working Song" even sounds like "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast (1991).

Music experts say "Happy Working Song" sounds a lot like "Heigh-Ho" from Snow White and "The Work Song" from Cinderella. It also shares musical ideas with "Something There" from Beauty and the Beast.

Critics really liked "Happy Working Song." They praised its funny words and how it cleverly referenced other Disney films. Amy Adams' singing was also highly praised. The song was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. Two other songs from Enchanted, "That's How You Know" and "So Close", were also nominated. This made Enchanted one of only four movies ever to have three songs nominated for this award. "Happy Working Song" didn't win, losing to "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once. After this, the Academy decided to limit movies to only two song nominations.

How "Happy Working Song" Was Made

"Happy Working Song" is a lively, upbeat pop song. It sounds like a mix of classic Disney tunes and musical theater songs. The song is two minutes and nine seconds long.

The lyrics are very clever and funny. They use words like "toilet" and "hairball" in a humorous way. The song describes Giselle trying to clean a real-world apartment with the help of animals like cockroaches and flies. It's a comical look at a princess in a new, messy world.

The music uses a lot of harpsichord sounds. This instrument gives the song an older, classic feel. The harpsichord was added on purpose to make the song sound like it belongs to a certain time period.

Musical Connections and Style

"Happy Working Song" is inspired by many well-known Disney songs. It sounds like "Heigh-Ho" and "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It also reminds listeners of "The Work Song" from Cinderella.

The song's middle part, called the bridge, and its short, sharp notes are similar to "Belle" and "Something There" from Beauty and the Beast.

"Happy Working Song" is written in the key of D major. It has a bouncy, Broadway musical-like tune. The official sheet music says the song has a fast and cheerful tempo of 88 beats per minute. Amy Adams sings the song with a clear, high soprano voice. Her voice can reach from a low G sharp to a high D. The song starts with the words, "Come, my little friends, as we all sing a happy little working song, merry little voices clear and strong."

Academy Award Nomination

"Happy Working Song" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. It was one of three songs from Enchanted to be nominated that year. The other two were "That's How You Know" and "So Close".

Even though critics loved "Happy Working Song," many people didn't think it would win. A poll by Billboard magazine showed that only 5% of readers thought it would win. "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once ended up winning the award.

The movie Enchanted made history by having three songs nominated for Best Original Song. Before Enchanted, only three other movies had done this: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King (1994), and Dreamgirls (2006). Because of this rare event, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences changed the rules. Now, a movie can only have a maximum of two songs nominated for Best Original Song. This rule started in 2009.

See also

In Spanish: Happy Working Song para niños