Listen to Altered Images’ ‘Happy Birthday’ from Fatal Attraction, Ep. 1 – the cool indie hit from the early 80s

The new Paramount Plus psychological thrilled Fatal Attraction premiered over the weekend and, along with its expected craziness, the eight episode drama comes with some cool songs on its soundtrack.

One of those songs is Scottish post punk band’ Altered Images’ ‘Happy Birthday‘, which was played on Fatal Attraction, Episode 1 as Dan and Beth are arriving at the restaurant for his birthday party.

Altered Images’ ‘Happy Birthday‘ was released as a single from the band’s debut studio album of the same name.

The album came out in September, 1981 and became a big hit on college and alternative radio stations in the U.S.

The song also hit #2 on the UK Singles chart, and also charted in five other countries although, interestingly, ‘Happy Birthday‘ did not chart in the United States.

Happy Birthday‘ also became one of the best-selling singles in the UK that year, and was eventually certified Silver.

Along with a couple of the band’s other songs, it is now thought of as one of Altered Images’ signature songs.

Altered Images, by the way, was founded in 1979. The indie band remained together until 1983 when they broke up.

But then, almost 40 years after the band broke up, lead singer Clare Grogan and multi-instrumentalist Steve Lironi, who had joined Altered Images in 1982, announced they would be releasing the first album under the Altered Images name in four decades.

That album, Mascara Streakz, came out in mid-2022 and hit the Top 30 in the UK.

And now you have heard a condensed version of the band’s history, listen to Altered Images’ ‘Happy Birthday‘ as heard on the first episode of Fatal Attraction in the song’s official music video, and on the Scottish band’s debut album.

The first three episodes of Fatal Attraction are now streaming on Paramount Plus.

 

About Michelle Topham

I'm a Brit-American journalist, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I'm also obsessed with music, anime, manga, and K-dramas. Help!