Last modified 2024-11-19.
songs collection.
© Chords circa 2018; original lyrics 2022-11-02; third verse added 2023-04-15; French lyrics added 2024-08-13. An original composition by Mike Slinn. All rights reserved.
This song was recorded in the key of A and is probably best played at 136 BPM.
“Happy Birthday to You” is a nice song, and very well known. “One Year Older” is a bouncier and more poignant celebration of another year of life.
Played as a Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova is actually 2/4, like much Brazilian music, with the root pulse in quarter notes.
The song is played faster on the video (150 BPM) than the audio (120 BPM). The slower speed is somewhat dreary, but easier to play. The faster speed sounds rushed, so I think around 140 BPM sounds best. I seem to find myself playing this song at 136 BPM most often.
Played as a Samba
Samba is similar to Bossa Nova, but is more complex beat, so it is usually played in 2/4 using 16th notes instead of 8th notes. As a result, the beats per minute are typically half that of Bossa Nova.
About The Competition
It has been sung in 143 movies, translated into at least 18 languages and used in ads to sell everything from insurance to margarine.
“Happy Birthday to You” generates an estimated $2 million a year in licensing fees.
Change Log
2024-11-19
- Added credits at the end
2024-11-18
- Added scrolling lyrics
2024-11-05
- Renamed the synthesizer bass track in
One Year Older_stems_136_bpm.ziptoOne Year Older_stem_136_bpm_alt_Bass.mp3. - Added a different bass pattern, played on a Fender Precision bass guitar, called
One Year Older_stem_136_bpm_Fender Bass.L.wavandOne Year Older_stem_136_bpm_Fender Bass.R.wav.
2024-11-02
- The audio recording was updated at 120 BPM and 136 BPM.
- I totally redid the Pro Tools project.
- Re-recorded the voice and guitar on separate tracks
Planned
- The drum track would be much improved with a human drummer.
Lyrics
One year older
And you’re not dead yet
Let’s have a party
Invite the rest
We’ll have such a good time
You’ll never forget
A birthday to remember
Enjoy - enjoy - enjoy the best yet!
Live life to the fullest
While you still can
Regrets last forever
Be bold and unafraid!
Audio Recordings
One Year Older 136 bpm 2024-11-05.mp3
One Year Older 120 bpm 2024-11-02.mp3
One Year Older 1.5 seconds 136 bpm 2024-10-28.mp3
Stems
Stems are helpful for musicians who need to learn how to play a song. After downloading audio stems, they are able to play each stem as a separate track, and adjust the volume of each track according to their requirements. For example, a musician might choose to initially hear just the stem for the instrument they play. Once they have learned their part, they might play all the other stems at normal volume, but mute the track they had listened to, so they can practice their part while playing along. Wikipedia has more information.
Audacity is a popular, free, open-source program that can play stems. It allows you to decide which stems to play, and you can adjust their relative volumes.
Sheet Music and Project Files
