For Once In My Life/Where’s The Playground Susie/My Way/Wichita Linesman/Happy Heart/Gentle On My Mind/ Didn’t We/Memories/Little Green Apples/Here There & Everywhere/Abraham Martin & John
With the exception of the UK top twenty title track every song on Happy Heart is a cover of recent hits released by other artists, a formula which maintained his chart success. (US:9 UK:22)
"At this point in his career, the versatile Williams, who had found his greatest success covering movie theme songs, but also ranged from light rock to venerable standards, was completely devoted to recording his versions of current hits. It was a popular notion at the time that middle-of-the-road singers like him could maintain their popularity by turning to soft rock, and Williams proved that theory by reaching the top ten and earning gold records with these LPs, which featured his versions of songs better known in recordings by artists such as Glen Campbell and The Beatles, Williams changed the original arrangements only slightly; the big difference for his fans was that it was his voice they heard."
"The album Happy Heart found Andy working with producer Jerry Fuller, who guided Andy from the late 60s through the early 70s. Little Green Apples is the highlight, with Andy bringing much warmth and conviction. It must have made the author Bobby Russell proud. What a treat to have three Jimmy Webb compositions: Where's The Playground Susie, the most wonderful Wichita Lineman and Didn't We. An especially personal choice, which closes out the album poignantly, was Abraham Martin & John, as Williams was close friends with the Kennedy family."
"The outstanding track here is Abraham Martin & John. Andy covers this Motown classic superbly, even adding a bit about Bobby Kennedy to the three other martyrs. Andy has shown elsewhere that he can sing original material but on this collection, he demonstrates that he is quite content to record covers, stamping his own identity on each song."
"Didn't We is perhaps the zenith of the record. Sinatra's version is too tragic. Streisand's too dramatic. Andy Williams delivers the song like no other. Williams also delivers a heartfelt Memories."
"Some great Jimmy Webb songs. Also enjoy Andy's frolicking Gentle On My Mind, and his fervent ode to Sinatra as he sings My Way."
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