Canada gets Happy with Pharrell Williams dance videos
Canadians are getting into the worldwide spirit of happiness, posting their own tributes to the Pharrell Williams hit song Happy on YouTube.
The video above, produced by Loig's Music Lab, features Vancouver chefs, store workers, tourists, soccer players and even a stand-up paddle boarder happily dancing along.
On mobile? Click here to watch the Loig's Music Lab Vancouver version of Happy on YouTube
The infectiously upbeat song has been a worldwide hit, reaching number one in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and 18 other countries.
Written and performed by American singer and producer Williams, the song was also nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar at the Academy Awards after being featured in the film Despicable Me 2 last year.
When first released, the song was accompanied by a music video lasting 24 hours, showing Williams and various others, including celebrities, dancing all over Los Angeles.
It has spawned more than 1,000 — much shorter — cover videos on YouTube, as people joyously show off their own cities while dancing and miming along, including many from B.C. residents.
The tribute video below, directed by Philip Nagel and edited by Nina Beier, was also shot at many Vancouver landmarks, and features, among many others, a sea otter grooving at the Vancouver Aquarium.
On mobile? Click here to watch the Nagel/Beier Vancouver version of Happy on YouTube
Next comes a video of Kelowna, B.C., posted by Mark Jennings-Bates, showing baristas, minor hockey players and many more happy residents dancing on the city's docks, beaches, ski hills, airport and hockey rinks.
Note: This video begins silently.
On mobile? Click here to watch the Kelowna version of Happy on YouTube
Not to be outdone, Alexandra Blue produced the below video in Toronto, in an effort to showcase everything there is to do on a sunny, wintry day in Canada's biggest city.
On mobile? Click here to watch the Toronto version of Happy on YouTube
At the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre, staff, patients and families also made a tribute video, as part of a fundraising campaign led by the QEII Foundation.
On mobile? Click here to watch the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre version of Happy on YouTube
In Montreal, fraternity Sigma Thêta Pi created their own video in the city's snowy streets and metro system.
On mobile? Click here to watch the Montreal version of Happy on YouTube
Technology students at Montreal's McGill University also got in on the act, creating a class project out of a lip syncing tribute video filmed across the campus.
On mobile? Click here to watch the McGill University version of Happy on YouTube
Have you made a Happy tribute video somewhere else in Canada? Let us know in the comments below!
