My Happy Ending (song) explained

My Happy Ending
Cover:Avril lavigne my happy ending single.jpg
Caption:International single cover
Type:single
Artist:Avril Lavigne
Album:Under My Skin
B-Side:Take It
Genre:
Length:4:02
Producer:Butch Walker
Prev Title:Don't Tell Me
Prev Year:2004
Next Title:Nobody's Home
Next Year:2004

"My Happy Ending" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne, written by herself and Butch Walker for her second studio album, Under My Skin (2004). Structurally, the song is written in 4/4 style and has a repeated hook in both the chorus and in the intro and outro.

Lavigne wanted "My Happy Ending" to be released as the album's lead single, but the label went with ''Don't Tell Me'' instead.[4] It was then released as the second single in June 2004, becoming a top-five hit in Canada, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom while reaching the top 10 in seven other countries, including the United States, where it outperformed its predecessor by peaking at number nine for four weeks. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single gold in November 2004.

Critical reception

"My Happy Ending" has generally received favorable reviews from critics. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly magazine commented "Lavigne herself sounds more burdened; ... the sk8erboi of the first album has turned out to be a selfish, nasty creep who ... treats her like crap". Allmusic highlighted the song as a "track pick" in a review of the album, Under My Skin. Blender also did the same.[5] PopMatters thought "The second single, "My Happy Ending", suffers from a marked similarity to a few recent hits, notably Michelle Branch's "Everywhere" and Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" (...) The ticklish good humor of "Sk8er Boi" has been subsumed by the sardonic regret of "My Happy Ending".[6]

Juan Manuel compared the song to the music of Linkin Park, stating "It's a bit difficult to find references to Linkin Park in the interviews with Lavigne."[7]

In an AOL Radio listener's poll, "My Happy Ending" was voted Lavigne's third best song., "My Happy Ending" had sold 1.2 million digital copies in the US.

Accolades

Indicates non-competitive categories
Award/PublisherYearCategoryResult
Allmusicalign=center 2012align=center Most Significant Post-grunge Songs of All Time align=center [8]
ASCAP Pop Music Awardsalign=center 2006align=center Most Performed Song (valid for Avril Lavigne's songwriting credit)align=center [9]
BMI Pop Music Awardsalign=center 2006align=center Award-Winning Songs (valid for Butch Walker's songwriting credit)align=center [10]
Capricho Awardsalign=center 2004align=center International Songalign=center [11]
MTV Video Music Awards Japanalign=center 2005align=center Best Female Videoalign=center [12]
MuchMusic Video Awardsalign=center align=center People's Choice Favourite Canadian Artistalign=center [13]
Radio Disney Music Awardsalign=center 2004align=center Best Song to Air Guitaralign=center [14]

Chart performance

"My Happy Ending" peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, spending a total of 25 weeks on the chart. It climbed to number one on the Mainstream Top 40 chart and spent 26 weeks on the listing, and it reached number three on the Adult Top 40, where it also charted for 26 weeks. On the Adult Contemporary chart, it peaked at number 37. It was certified gold by the RIAA for selling 500,000 digital copies.[15] As of September 2015, "My Happy Ending" has sold 1.2 million digital copies in the US.[16]

Music video

The music video for "My Happy Ending" was written and directed by MTV and Grammy winner Meiert Avis. It was shot on location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn[17] and Harlem, New York City. The video begins with Lavigne running down Broadway and entering a cinema (the Commodore Cinemas), where she finds the film playing is a montage of her memories concerning a specific relationship she had. At first, the memories (shown in full color) are happy, depicting Lavigne at the park with her boyfriend, as he hands her a flower and they laugh together. They are also shown goofing off inside a laundromat. However, as Lavigne sings "so much for my happy ending," the memories start losing color. Lavigne and her boyfriend lie in bed together, as she looks at him and he (obviously reeling from a disagreement) stares blankly away.

The relationship culminates during the song's bridge inside a grocery store, where her boyfriend antagonizes her, insisting that he talk to her. He grabs her and tries to pull her into his embrace. Fed up, she turns and pushes him away. She proceeds to run out of the grocery store and down the street (from the beginning of the video), and to a guitar shop where she grabs a guitar and walks to the roof of the building, where she is seen performing with her band. There, she walks past her unapologetic boyfriend without looking at him. Three other girls witness an altercation between Lavigne and her boyfriend in the restaurant and leave with Lavigne as they befriend each other. The theater film tears and the memories end, leaving the final seconds of the video as a close-up on Lavigne in the theater as she tries to decide if the break-up is happy after all.

Lavigne said of the video: "It's about a relationship that doesn't work out, and having to say goodbye to all of the memories and... all that stuff." When asked if the video for "My Happy Ending" actually contains a happy ending, Lavigne said: "I don't know if the video has a happy ending. It kind of depends on how you look at it? In one way, it is because me and 'the guy' in the video aren't together anymore, and I think that's a better thing."

Live performances

"My Happy Ending" was first performed as part of Lavigne's Live by Surprise Tour, a group of 21 impromptu concerts in shopping malls that ran between March 5, 2004 and April 15, 2004.[18] The song was then performed during the Bonez Tour, the concert tour in support of Under My Skin.[19] "My Happy Ending" was subsequently included in the setlists of Lavigne's later concert tours, including The Best Damn Tour (2008),[20] the Black Star Tour (2011–2012),[21] The Avril Lavigne Tour (2013–2014),[22] the Head Above Water Tour (2019),[23] the Love Sux Tour (2022–2023),[24] and the Greatest Hits Tour (2024).[25]

On August 26, 2005, Lavigne performed the song in Bryant Park as part of Good Morning Americas televised "Summer Concert" series.[26] Lavigne performed the song during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, alongside "Girlfriend".[27]

Track listings and formats

  1. "My Happy Ending" (album version) – 4:02
  2. "My Happy Ending" (live acoustic version) – 3:55
  3. "Take Me Away" (live acoustic version) – 2:52
  4. "Take It"  – 2:51
  5. "My Happy Ending" (video) – 4:02
  1. "My Happy Ending"  – 4:02
  2. "Don't Tell Me"  – 3:21
  1. "My Happy Ending" (radio edit) – 4:02
  2. "My Happy Ending" (album version) – 4:02
  3. "Don't Tell Me" (live acoustic version) – 3:26
  1. "My Happy Ending" (album version) – 4:02
  2. "My Happy Ending" (live acoustic version) – 3:55
  3. "Take Me Away" (live acoustic version) – 2:52
  4. "My Happy Ending" (video) – 4:02
  1. "My Happy Ending" (album version) – 4:02
  2. "Take It"  – 2:51

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Under My Skin album liner notes.[33]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004) Peak
position
Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)[34] 2
Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)[35] 2
Czech Republic (IFPI)[36] 5
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[37] 12
Greece (IFPI)[38] 12
Japan (Oricon)[39] 76
Romania (Romanian Top 100)30

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)Position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 62
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] 45
Germany (Official German Charts)[42] 96
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 66
UK Singles (OCC)[44] 106
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 54
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 26
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 15

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel(s)
United StatesJune 14, 2004Contemporary hit radio[48]
GermanyJune 24, 2004CDArista
FranceJune 29, 2004
JapanJuly 7, 2004BMG Japan
AustraliaJuly 19, 2004Arista[49]
United KingdomAugust 2, 2004

Usage in media

"My Happy Ending" was used for the movie . The song was also used in the trailer for A Lot Like Love with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet.

The song was used in a season four episode of Smallville, "Facade" (October 6, 2004) and in a season five episode of Gilmore Girls, with Dean's little sister listening to it. The song was used several episodes of MTV programs Date My Mom and Next.

The song has also appeared in video games, and has been featured in three major karaoke series: Lips, SingStar, and Karaoke Revolution.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Snapes . Laura . Still complicated: Avril Lavigne: 'I've had to fight people on this journey' . The Guardian . January 14, 2019 . January 15, 2019 . She and co-writer Butch Walker kept writing until the last minute, producing the bittersweet grunge anthem My Happy Ending..
  2. http://www.complex.com/music/2013/02/sensitive-thugs-25-songs-for-a-lonely-valentines-day/avril-lavigne Sensitive Thugs: 25 Songs for a Lonely Valentine's Day–Avril Lavigne "My Happy Ending" (2004)
  3. Web site: Griffiths . George . Avril Lavigne's Bite Me is a confident return to form for the pop-punk princess . Official Charts . November 10, 2021 . she's worked through angsty post-grunge (My Happy Ending).
  4. News: Snapes . Laura . 2019-01-14 . Still complicated: Avril Lavigne: 'I've had to fight people on this journey' . 2024-05-15 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  5. Web site: Review: Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin. https://archive.today/20101219111339/http://www.blender.com/guide/new/52201/under-my-skin.html. dead. December 19, 2010. Blender.
  6. Web site: Avril Lavigne: Under My Skin. https://web.archive.org/web/20211219043315/https://www.popmatters.com/lavigneavril-under-2495974042.html. December 19, 2021. March 20, 2022. PopMatters.
  7. Web site: Freire . Juan Manuel . Las 10 mejores canciones de Avril Lavigne . Santander Music . 15 July 2024 . Spanish . 2024.
  8. Web site: Post-Grunge Music Songs . AllMusic . March 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135754/https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/post-grunge-ma0000005020/songs . July 20, 2018.
  9. Web site: 23rd Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs. ASCAP. December 8, 2011. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081119042226/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2006/songs.html. November 19, 2008.
  10. Web site: BMI Pop Awards Honor Crosby, Stills & Nash as Icons at 54th Annual Ceremony. March 20, 2022. May 16, 2006.
  11. Web site: avrilfans.de Award 2003. December 27, 2009.
  12. Web site: MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20160818152823/http://www.mtvjapan.com/vmaj/2007/videos/2005.html. August 18, 2016. August 21, 2012. dead.
  13. http://www.muchmusic.com/events/mmva05/winners/ 2005 MMVA Winners
  14. Web site: The winners of the 2004 Radio Disney Music Awards. hilaryfan.com. August 23, 2006. December 29, 2011. November 5, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131105151139/http://hilaryfan.com/threads/51535-The-winners-of-the-2004-Radio-Disney-Music-Awards. dead.
  15. Web site: RIAA – Gold & Platinum – Avril Lavigne. 2004-11-18. Recording Industry Association of America. 2010-12-28.
  16. Trust . Gary . September 6, 2015 . Ask Billboard: Avril Lavigne's Best-Selling Songs & Albums . March 20, 2022 . Billboard.
  17. Web site: 291 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York, USA . Google Maps . May 6, 2019.
  18. Web site: D'Angelo . Joe . March 5, 2004 . Avril Lavigne Sells New Songs At Mall Tour Opener . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213108/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485585/avril-sells-new-songs-at-mall-tour-opener.jhtml . February 4, 2011 . July 26, 2024 . MTV News.
  19. Web site: Ong . Jennifer . April 8, 2005 . A rocked-out night with Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan . July 26, 2024 . The Philippine Star.
  20. Web site: Jones . Alex . April 30, 2008 . 'Best Damn' show ... no joke . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405095450/http://www.themonitor.com/articles/damn-11331-monitor-arena.html . April 5, 2012 . July 26, 2024 . The Monitor.
  21. Web site: Uy . Ed . December 16, 2011 . Avril Lavigne returns to Manila . dead . https://www.freezepage.com/1325152955YFHJXLUXCV?url=http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/life-and-times/showtime/13307-avril-lavigne-returns-to-manila . December 29, 2011 . July 26, 2024 . The Manila Times.
  22. Web site: Caramanica . Jon . December 4, 2013 . Avril Lavigne at Highline Ballroom . July 26, 2024 . The New York Times.
  23. Web site: Darus . Alex . September 16, 2019 . Avril Lavigne kicks off first tour in five years with career-spanning setlist . July 26, 2024 . Alternative Press.
  24. Web site: Baltin . Steve . Feb 21, 2022 . Sunday Conversation: Avril Lavigne On ‘Love Sux,’ Her Relationship With Her Fans And Being Grateful . July 26, 2024 . . But I haven't played "My Happy Ending" since my tour at the end of 2019 in the fall. And yeah it was funny because in band rehearsals, I was like, "Wait, I just need to make sure I still remember this." But yeah, it's crazy. It feels great to just to sing my babies, my old babies, to bring them back out and those are songs that did well for me too..
  25. Web site: May 23, 2024 . See the setlist from the first night of Avril Lavigne’s Greatest Hits tour . July 26, 2024 . Alternative Press.
  26. Web site: August 26, 2005 . Avril Lavigne Sings on 'GMA' . July 26, 2024 . ABC News.
  27. Web site: Mitchell . Houston . February 28, 2010 . Live from Vancouver, it’s the Winter Olympics closing ceremony . July 26, 2024 . Los Angeles Times.
  28. My Happy Ending. Avril Lavigne. 2004. German CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 82876 63096 2.
  29. My Happy Ending. Avril Lavigne. 2004. United States 7" vinyl liner notes. Arista Records. 82876-62274-7.
  30. My Happy Ending. Avril Lavigne. 2004. Japanese CD single liner notes. Arista Records. BVCP-29613.
  31. My Happy Ending. Avril Lavigne. 2004. European maxi-CD single liner notes. RCA Records. 82876-63649-2.
  32. My Happy Ending. Avril Lavigne. 2004. United Kingdom CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 82876 63648 2.
  33. Avril Lavigne. Under My Skin. 2004. Liner notes. Arista. 82876-59774-2 RE-1.
  34. R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30. Radio & Records. 1573. 38. September 17, 2004. October 13, 2020.
  35. R&R Canada Hot AC Top 30. Radio & Records. 1570. 49. August 27, 2004. May 6, 2024.
  36. Web site: Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 4/2005. IFPI ČR. cs. January 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20050204135508/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm. February 4, 2005. dead.
  37. Hits of the World – Eurocharts. Billboard. 116. 34. 59. August 21, 2004. July 1, 2020.
  38. Web site: Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 10–16/10. IFPI. el. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20041017023740/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm. October 17, 2004. July 1, 2020.
  39. Web site: アヴリル・ラヴィーンのシングル売り上げランキング. Avril Lavigne's Singles Sales Ranking. Oricon. ja. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100831093011/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/300502/ranking/cd_single/. August 31, 2010. November 4, 2013.
  40. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004. Australian Recording Industry Association. February 15, 2020.
  41. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2004. austriancharts.at. de. February 15, 2020.
  42. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2004. GfK Entertainment. de. February 15, 2020.
  43. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2004. Sverigetopplistan. sv. February 15, 2020.
  44. Web site: UK Year-End Chart 2004. Official Charts Company. February 15, 2020.
  45. Billboard Top 100 – 2004. billboard. February 15, 2020.
  46. Web site: Year-End Charts – Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks – 2004. Billboard.biz. 2004. November 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009071806/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2004/atftitl.jsp. October 9, 2012.
  47. 2004 The Year in Music: Hot Mainstream Top 40 Tracks. Billboard. 116. 52. YE-75. December 25, 2004. November 23, 2023.
  48. June 11, 2004. RR-2004-06-11.pdf. Radio & Records. 26. October 29, 2022.
  49. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 19th July 2004. Australian Recording Industry Association. 27. July 19, 2004. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040807-0000/ISSUE751.pdf. August 6, 2004. May 19, 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "My Happy Ending (song)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.