How to be happy

The world’s longest-running research project is (still) trying to find out what makes humans happy. Martin Saunders distills years of study, ancient biblical wisdom, endless self-help books and that Ken Dodd song to finally give you the answer…

In 1964, the British comedian Ken Dodd covered a little-known country song, and it reached a modest number 31 in the UK singles chart. Sometimes, however, the impact of a song grows over time, and this track seeped much more broadly into the public consciousness over the next 60 years. You might well recognise the chorus: “Happiness, happiness / The greatest gift that I possess / I thank the Lord that I’ve been blessed / With more than my share of happiness.”

It’s a simple song — perhaps not even a particularly good one. Yet somehow it transcended its humble beginnings to the point that most people over 30 could at least hum along. Why? Because deep down, perhaps it nudges at the most basic aspiration we all hold for our lives. Above all, we just want to be happy.