The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.” was a breakout hit for Donna Fargo, with an interesting backstory that highlights her journey from schoolteacher to country music star.
Born Yvonne Vaughan, Fargo dreamed of being both a teacher and a singer. By her mid-twenties, she had achieved both: by day, she was known as Mrs. Stan Silver, teaching English in California; by night and on weekends, she performed as Donna Fargo. During an Easter break, her husband, Stan Silver, took her to Nashville to record a song she had written: “The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.”
They shopped the song around Nashville, and producer Billy Sherrill wanted to record it with up-and-coming artist Tanya Tucker. According to legend, Tanya turned it down, but Fargo insists she wouldn’t have let it go to anyone else—she had written it for herself. Becoming a songwriter was always part of her plan to break into singing.
Dot Records eventually offered Fargo a contract. While she continued teaching and grading papers back in California, the song steadily climbed the charts in Nashville. By June 1972, “The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.” hit No. 1 and stayed there for three weeks, prompting Fargo to leave her teaching job and move to Nashville with her husband.
Once settled, Fargo found herself receiving a wave of honors, including a Grammy and “Single of the Year” awards from both the CMA and ACM. The song sold over a million copies and earned international recognition, showing its appeal extended far beyond American borders.
Lyrics
Shine on me, sunshine
Walk with me, world
It’s a skip-a-dee-do-dah day
I’m the happiest girl in the whole USA
Good morning, morning, hello, sunshine
Wake up, sleepy head
Why’d we move that bojangle clock
So far away from the bed?
Just one more minute, that’s why we moved it
One more hug will do
Do you love wakin’ up next to me
As much as I love wakin’ up next to you?
You make the coffee, I’ll make the bed
I’ll fix your lunch, and you fix mine
Now tell me the truth, do these old shoes look funny?
Honey, it’s almost nine
Now you be careful
Got to go, I love you
Have a beautiful day
And kiss the happiest girl in the whole USA
Skip-a-dee-do-dah, thank you, Lord
For makin’ him for me
And thank you for letting life turn out the way
That I always thought it could be
There once was a time
When I could not imagine
How it would feel to say
I’m the happiest girl in the whole USA
Now shine on me, sunshine
Walk with me, world
It’s a skip-a-dee-do-dah day
I’m the happiest girl in the whole USA
Shine on me, sunshine
Walk with me, world
It’s a skip-a-dee-do-dah day
I’m the happiest girl in the whole USA
Shine on me, sunshine
Walk with me, world
It’s a skip-a-dee-do-dah day
I’m the happiest girl in the whole USAAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
