According to Rowland S. Howard in the documentary Autoluminescent, this song was originally titled The Birthday Party. It was re-titled Happy Birthday after the band decided to change their name from The Boys Next Door to The Birthday Party.
It's a very happy day
We are at lots of fun fun fun
And it's ice-cream and jelly
And a punch in the belly
How much can you throw over the walls?
And see how his face glows
It's a bike! what a surprise
It's a big bike. what a big surprise
It's a red bike. what a red surprise
Oh, what a surprise
But the best thing there
But the best thing there
Was the wonderful dog chair
Was the beautiful dog chair
That could count right up to ten
It could count right up to ten
It went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof
Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof
And it's another happy day
He was born eleven years ago
And this year it's long trousers
And a very smart tie
Just think in five years he'll be shaving
And see how his face glows
It's an ninja sword. what a surprise!
It's a samurai sword. what a metal surprise
He'll remember this day for the rest of his life
But the best thing there
But the best thing there
Is that sensuous dog chair
The immaculate dog chair
That could count right up to eleven
It could count right up to eleven
It went woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof
Woof, woof, woof
But the best thing there
But the best thing there
Was my darling the dog chair
But the rampaging dog chair
That could count right up to eleven
It could count right up to eleven
And it went round and round the house
Happy Birthday was written by Rowland S. Howard & Mick Harvey & Nick Cave.
Happy Birthday was produced by The Boys Next Door & Tony Cohen.