Andy White and Tim Finn reunite and take on the United Nations in the new video for ‘The Happiness Index’. The project named ‘AT’ is a collaboration by the two acclaimed songwriters who first worked together in 1995 in ALT. They have returned to form with legendary producer John Leckie (XTC, Simple Minds) leading the recording process. In the video, we see Andy as a TV reporter on location as a rather prim new anchor watches on. The song is a snide and insightful swipe at the UN’s World Happiness Report which rates the relative well-being of the citizens of various countries. Finn is in a more dire mood as he delivers good news to Finland and bad news to Chad.
“How happy are we? The king of Bhutan wants to know. His Buddhist Kingdom allows itself to self- examine,” explains Tim. “We in the West, however, have turned his Happiness Index into a trans-global competition. Apparently, at the time of writing this, Finland is on top and Chad at the bottom. How sad to view an existential question in such a limited way. But the AT song is a joyous and belligerent revelation of these tragic-comic contradictions. You will come away feeling better!”
On writing the new songs the duo reflects, “It was overwhelming, and it all happened very fast,” says Tim. “Verses and choruses were sent backwards and forwards. We egged each other on as the songs were flowing.” Andy continues: ‘It was very natural and easy, and a real joy to be writing with Tim. We knew after four or five songs that we had the basis of a new album. It was fun and exciting, and we were able to take our time over each song.”
‘The Happiness Index’ is one side of a 7-Inch single that will also include ‘Warrior of Love’ available only on vinyl from Floating World records on 24th February.
