The Best Remixes of Pharrell's "Happy"

You know the story: a song gets popular for one reason or another, and out of the woodwork comes all kinds of remixes. A lot of it is genuine admirati

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Complex Original

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You know the story: a song gets popular for one reason or another, and out of the woodwork comes all kinds of remixes. A lot of it is genuine admiration... but you know that there are thirsty people out there. Something about Pharrell's 2013 single "Happy," though. It moved people. It ended up topping charts across the world, and was Pharrell's first chart-topper as a lead artist. It was even nominated for an Oscar, but lost out to a track from that movie Frozen. Post-Oscars, everyone was pushing out "Happy" remixes, but truth be told, they had been brewing since late 2013. We decided to give you all a reason to smile and provide you with the best remixes of Pharrell's "Happy."

Pharrell - "Happy (Taxon Remix)"

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"Happy" cuts in around 160BPM, so Taxon pitching it a bit to fit into a drum & bass zone makes perfect sense. He also makes sure to throw some trap in there. We're actually surprised that "bigger" dnb artists haven't bootlegged this one yet.

Pharrell - "Happy (John Kim's Remix Tho)"

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It's hard to tell if John Kim was bullshitting when he said that it was a bicep curl session that sparked this remix, but it's dope to hear him transform "Happy" in a number of ways, from Melbourne bounce to hardstyle to trap. Nothing's too drawn out, but it works.

Pharrell - "Happy (Konrad OldMoney Remix)"

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The Old Money crew's Konrad decided to remix G I R L in its entirety, and his version of "Happy" is kind of turnt. He definitely leaves an 808 base to start, but the way he layers percussion and a hypnotic set of loops, this one gets crazy hype early on. And the switch-up midway is where it's at.

Pharrell - "Happy (NEUS Remix)"

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You know it as well as DAD does: the world needs way more funk. NEUS is here to provide some, giving "Happy" a nice slap-bass feel that pairs nicely with the beat. Feels like a live band is recreating "Happy" live with Pharrell.

Pharrell - "Happy (Yanis.S Remix)"

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Yanis.S steps up and walks that fine line, bringing this one into the electro house zone with ease. This could be the go-to remix for house DJs looking to bring some happiness to the dancefloor without getting too corny.

Pharrell - "Happy (Mr. Mitch Peace Edit)"

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Mr. Mitch's peace edits have been like a UK screwing of tunes, and he applied this turned down vibe to "Happy." It's not on some antithesis-of-"Happy" shit, but it is on some drunken vibe. As if there's a wino on the corner trying to sing some happiness into his life, reminiscing on the days gone by.

Pharrell - "Happy (The Rose Tint BoomTrap Remix)"

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!llmind might have been rocking rose-colored glasses while in the studio churning this one out, and we're far from mad. The "boomtrap" remix he provided will make us SUPER happy when we see some able-bodied female breaking it down to this big-bottomed version.

Pharrell - "Happy (Jo A Remix)"

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Jo A is one of those enigmas who can replicate quality melodies while providing a sick batch of low-end to his tracks. It's beautiful future music, and while many in the electronic music scene aren't up on this guy, he's got Sony/ATV publishing deals and the ear of Swizz Beats. Taking "Happy" into a different zone, Jo A gives the verses that serious batch of bass, while the hooks get some more playful, jazzy keys added to them. Smile.

Just check out Jo A creating a beat from scratch:

Pharrell - "Happy (Vaux & Rivera Remix)"

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Do we have a sweet-spot for deep house? You're damn right we do. While "Happy" dropped during the fall, we're a few hairs away from spring, and this version from Vaux & Rivera has us dreaming of beautiful pool parties in Miami, and sunny afternoons spent doing nothing but getting down. They took time in reconstructing this track... it's a thing of beauty.

Pharrell - "Happy (Mr. Carmack Remix)"

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We're not sure if spending time in the studio with Pharrell and Diplo gives him a pass for remixing pharrell tracks, but Carmack applying his signature touch to "Happy" is everything. He found a way to blend some beautiful guitar work with a thumping beat, going all kinds of back porch turnt on us. There's no real rhyme or reason to Carmack's choice of output; he just makes shit that bangs, then shares it with the world. That, above everything else, will make us happy.

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