Seven versions. One iconic song. A celebration album born from grief, purpose, and a whole lot of joy.
— Happy Birthday song just got its first real upgrade in over a century. In Harmony Music, the Bay Area’s early childhood music education program, releases “Happy Birthday Hits” today, a seven-track album that reimagines the world’s most recognized song from the ground up. Each version has its own distinct taste: pop, hype, party, dance, kids, a cappella, and acoustic. Together, they make a case that Happy Birthday deserves better than the same tired melody sung off-key over flickering candles year after year.
The album is produced by Justine Chadly and Tom Foote. They have been recording together for three years and writing music together for nearly a decade. In that time, they have produced over 100 original songs, all rooted in a shared conviction that music for children can be just as meaningful, moving, and beautifully crafted as music for any audience.
“This is a certified banger!” said one thirteen-year-old upon hearing Happy Birthday (Hype) for the first time. The track, built on a KPop-inspired groove with a beat by Edmond Clare, commands movement and demands participation. It turns a gathering into a proper event, and there is nothing else quite like it in this space.
The story behind “Happy Birthday Hits” runs deeper than any production trend. Justine founded In Harmony Music in 2003 after she could not find quality creative arts programs for her then-toddler son. He grew up to become a gifted musician and producer, making beats with well-known Bay Area artists, building a name for himself in a city that takes its music seriously. When he was taken by gun violence in December 2018, Justine made a promise to keep creating in his honor and spirit. “Happy Birthday Hits,” stacked with the modern, beat-driven sound he loved, marks what would have been his 25th birthday.
“He is in every song I write,” she says quietly.
That weight of purpose is present in every track, even the ones designed purely to make people move. The Dance version brings a slick, low-key groove in the style of Pink Pantheress. The Party version rides a soca beat that turns any kitchen into a dance floor in seconds. The A Cappella version leans into rich, layered harmonies. Happy Birthday (Kids) features children singing alongside the lead vocalists, giving young listeners a voice in their own celebration, something they can truly feel part of. And the Acoustic version, slower, warmer, and built around a beautiful original melody, turns a birthday into a genuine moment of reflection and connection.
All seven tracks were engineered and mastered by Reto Peter at Teahouse Studios in Oakland, and reflect the same standard In Harmony Music has held since its founding. Strong musicianship, thoughtful production, and music that works for children and adults in the same room at the same time, without compromise.
“The curriculum has allowed my son and me to connect with one another through rhythm and melody. And Justine’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious. My son and I carry her energy home from class each week, leading to days and evenings filled with song and dance.” — In Harmony Music parent
In Harmony Music has earned that trust over more than two decades. The program serves families across San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties through family classes, school programs, and community events. They appeared on Netflix’s Life After Death with Tyler Henry in 2022, have performed the national anthem at Oracle Park for the San Francisco Giants in 2024, and continue to expand their reach through the In Harmony Foundation, which uses music and mindfulness to support communities affected by gun violence and tragic loss. Work that extends far beyond the classroom.
Happy Birthday is the one song every human being on earth has heard. Most of us have sung it more times than we can count. At kitchen tables, in school cafeterias, over candles we could barely blow out as children. It has always been about the person in front of you. What In Harmony Music has done with “Happy Birthday Hits” is, remind everyone that the song itself can carry that same weight and emotional depth. That a birthday can be a full-body event, a quiet tearful moment, a dance floor eruption, or all three at once. That is what great music does. And now, for the very first time, Happy Birthday can do it too.
Where kids and families grow through music, visit In Harmony Music: Website | Instagram | LinkTree
About In Harmony Music
In Harmony Music is an early childhood music education program founded in 2003 by Justine Chadly. A vocalist, educator, and advocate whose work spans musical theatre, world music ensembles, and guest lectures at universities and conferences nationwide. Her curriculum draws from a BA in Vocal Performance from UC Davis, an MA in Music Education from San Francisco State University, and a Smithsonian Folkways certification in World Music Pedagogy. Alongside Tom Foote, Berklee-trained drummer, creator of the globally used Rhythm Kids curriculum, and a touring musician who has shared stages with notable artists worldwide, Justine has built a program that serves babies through elementary-age children across the San Francisco Bay Area. Together, they have produced numerous songs designed to educate, connect, and honor the memory of Justine’s son, Damani, with intention and care. Their work has brought them to Netflix, to Oracle Park, and into thousands of homes, classrooms, and events. Their music and curriculum now reach teachers and classrooms around the world, with educators bringing their songs into daily learning, and new offerings continuing to grow.
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Contact Info:
Name: Team AMW
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Organization: AMW
Address: Los Angeles
Website: https://www.amworldgroup.com
Release ID: 89190700
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