Happiness?

Alternate Versions

Single Mix
Sounds identical to the album mix. On 7", 12" and CD single.

Radio Mix
Similar in style to the LP mix, but longer (by about a minute) and has a harder edge. The extra time is taken up by some extra instrumental at the start and between verses. On 7", 12" and CD single. Also on the promo CD, with the "Single Version".

Kick Mix
On the CD single only. An attempt at a dance mix, by the same people that did "Living On My Own" with considerably more success. Seems to include an extra verse, but is otherwise of little interest. This is not a good mix - the backing is inappropriate and the way the vocal has been re-arranged does it no favours. Easily the worst of the Nazis remixes.

Makita Mix - Extended
An attempt at a def-metal version, with some very loud, very aggressive guitar. The extra percussion makes it sound heavier, but it doesn't really convince. On CD and 12".

Schindler's Mix - Extended
Similar to the "Makita Mix", this version was not released in Germany as it contains samples from one of Hitler's speeches. Again, not one for the faint at heart. Good for the hard of hearing though. CD only.

Big Science Mix
On 12" and CD. Nicely different, this is probably the best mix of the lot. Extra analog synths, strings and samples make it very atmospheric. This is one case where rebuilding the song has really worked - it's mostly instrumental, with voice-overs and synths, and only a few lines from the original vocal retained (though it does keep the backing vocals in places). Mixed by Josh Macrea.

Live Version, "Happiness" Tour
From the bootleg "It's Not Easy To Define It", though all live versions from this period are pretty similar. Combining some of the best bits from all the above mixes (the heavy percussion, the fast guitars and the voice samples), this is very different live. At 5:36, it's also considerably longer than normal.

Original Album Version
The original LP mix contained the F-word, which was absent on the final release. It may also have contained the extra verse that appears in the "Kick Mix". Some bootlegs claim to have a "Banned" version, which is presumably this take. There is also a video to the song that features the F-word, which could also be the original mix (or possibly yet another version).

Banned Version
On several bootlegs, and almost certainly dubbed either from video or the "original album version". Identical to the single mix, but with the F-word instead of the word "stinking", and the word "kick" instead of "stop". Time 2:35

Live Version
Bootlegged on "It's Not Easy To Define It". Completely different to the album mix, this has a totally changed feel to it live, partly due to the use of several samples in an attempt to get funky. Very interesting, but have a listen before buying as it is very different.

Single Edit
The album version, edited down from almost seven minutes to 4:28. On 7", 12" pic disc and CD single.

Live Version With Yoshiki
Broadcast on BBC 2. From a World Music Festival event, and featuring Roger and Yoshiki performing this one song. More notable for the fact its the only time Roger and Yoshiki performed live together than anything, as the actual performance is fairly standard fare. Still good though.

Live Version
Not dis-similar to the LP version, but somehow sounds better without the backing vocals. Very nice, and recommended. From the "Happiness" 12" pic disc, so sound quality unfortunately not as good as it could be. Shame it wasn't released on CD.

Promo Version
On a very rare 13-track Japanese promo CD for the "Happiness?" album. There is one slight lyric change, but the overall mix is very similar to the usual one. However, the ending is slightly extended with some extra keyboards, giving this mix a distinctive sound. Not especially different, but different enough! Now exceptionally rare though, and be aware that standard Japanese promo CDs don't have this mix.

Live Version
Again very similar to the LP take, this is still good and worth a listen. Taken from the "Happiness" 12" pic disc. All the live tracks released as B-sides were recorded at Shepard's Bush, at a special "preview concert" of the tour.

B-sides & Bonus Tracks etc.

Re-recorded With Yoshiki
Appears as the B-side to "Foreign Sand", and on the Japanese album. Longer (5:27) and very different to the original version. Uses completely different instruments, and has a different tempo too. CD and 12" pic disc only.