Happy Nation

''Happy Nation'' is the debut studio album by the Swedish pop group Ace of Base. It was initially released in Denmark on 2 November 1992 by Mega Records. During the album's development, the group was significantly influenced by a Jamaican reggae band that was recording in a nearby studio. For its release in North America, Japan, and some Latin American countries, the album was retitled '' The Sign'', featuring a heavily revised track listing along with three new tracks. To coincide with this, ''Happy Nation'' was reissued with the new tracks in other territories under the title ''Happy Nation (U.S. Version)''. In 1995, Guinness Book of World Records recognized the LP as the best-selling debut studio effort in music history, with over 19 million copies sold worldwide. By 1998, ''Happy Nation''/''The Sign'' had sold approximately 21 million units, including 9 million in the U.S. alone. ''Happy Nation''/''The Sign'' remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Background and release

In an interview with ''Music & Media'' magazine, Metronome Records managing director Albert Slendebroek remarked on the album:

Following its initial release in Denmark in November 1992, ''Happy Nation'' was gradually released across Europe throughout 1993, starting in Norway in January, followed by Sweden and Germany in February, and then the UK in June. It was also released in Africa and Latin America, reaching the number one position in at least ten countries.

''Happy Nation (U.S. Version)'' was released on 22 November 1993 to coincide with the album's launch in North America under the title '' The Sign''. This edition featured the new tracks "The Sign", "Living in Danger", and a cover of Tina Turner's "Don't Turn Around", along with a remix of "Waiting for Magic" and a revised version of "Voulez-Vous Danser". It also included the new track "Hear Me Calling", which did not appear on ''The Sign''. However, the songs "Münchhausen (Just Chaos)" and "Dimension of Depth" from the original album were removed. The updated version of the album was released in the UK on 14 March 1994 and climbed to number one on the UK Albums Chart on 26 June, surpassing the original release's peak position of number 21.

In 2016, Russian label Mirumir released an "Ultimate Edition" of the album on vinyl, containing the original track listing from the 1992 release, the additional tracks from ''The Sign''/''Happy Nation (U.S. Version)'' releases, and the iTunes bonuses from all three releases.

Critical reception

Alan Jones from ''Music Week'' described the album as a "diverse but largely dance-oriented" collection, noting that it includes "more gentle reggae stuff" alongside some techno and house elements. He felt that "nothing here compares favourably" with "All That She Wants", although he suggested that "if the right tracks are picked and remixed, there are more hits".

Track listing

Notes
* signifies a co-producer
* signifies re-editing
* signifies rap lyrics
* signifies pre-production
* signifies a remixer

Release history

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

See also

* List of best-selling albums in France
* List of best-selling albums in Germany
* List of best-selling albums
* List of diamond-certified albums in Canada
* List of number-one albums of 1994 (U.S.)
* List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 1990s

References

{{Authority control

Ace of Base albums
1992 debut albums
Edel-Mega Records albums