Release Date and Album Context
Happy by Pharrell Williams was released as a single on November 21, 2013, and later appeared on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack and the album Girl. The track was issued through i am OTHER and Columbia Records, with distribution handled by Sony Music Entertainment Forbes.
The song was written and produced by Pharrell Williams, with the official audio and music video debuting in late 2013. The single was positioned as a standalone release and a soundtrack contribution, quickly becoming one of the most commercially successful tracks of that period.
Chart Performance and Sales Data
Happy reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the top spot for a sustained run, while also topping charts in multiple countries including the UK, Australia, and Germany Billboard.
The single has been certified multi-platinum in the United States and several other territories, reflecting millions of equivalent units sold and streamed. Its sustained radio play and streaming numbers have kept it in industry reference materials for long-term commercial impact.
Licensing, Streaming, and Industry Context
Happy is distributed across major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, with licensing managed by Sony Music and its affiliated labels Sony Music.
The track remains a reference point in discussions of high-performing singles and is frequently cited in analyses of long-tail streaming revenue and soundtrack-driven releases SEC filings.