Introduction:
“The Happening” is a 1967 song recorded by the Motown group The Supremes. It served as the theme song for the 1967 Columbia Pictures film of the same name. Written by Holland–Dozier–Holland and Frank De Vol, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1967, becoming The Supremes’ tenth number-one single in the United States.
The song has a distinctive orchestral arrangement with a dramatic build-up and a memorable melody. The lyrics, while somewhat vague, convey a sense of mystery and intrigue, describing an unexpected and life-altering event. “The Happening” is considered one of The Supremes’ signature songs and remains a popular and enduring classic of the Motown era.
Interestingly, “The Happening” was the last single released by the group under the name “The Supremes.” Following its release, the group’s name was changed to “Diana Ross & the Supremes,” reflecting the increasing prominence of Diana Ross as the group’s lead singer.