The Belair Lip Bombs Cover The 1975’s ‘Happiness’: A Fan’s Dream Tribute

The Belair Lip Bombs bring fresh indie rock vibes to The 1975’s ‘Happiness,’ celebrating their favorite band with heartfelt enthusiasm and style.

A Cover Made from Genuine Admiration

There’s something truly special when a band covers a song not just out of respect, but pure love. That’s exactly the vibe The Belair Lip Bombs radiate in their recent cover of The 1975’s “Happiness.” Australian indie rockers The Belair Lip Bombs have taken this standout track from The 1975’s 2022 album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language, and infused it with their own spirited charm during a session for the ‘Like A Version’ series.

Maisie Everett, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, openly gushes about the influence The 1975 have had on her: “I feel like these songs were made for me. Like this is exactly what my ears need.” She goes on to declare The 1975 as her “favourite band,” a testament to how deeply their music resonates with her.

“They’re just so incredible live and it was super inspiring for me, especially a teenager like watching them and being like ‘that’s what I want to do.’” — Maisie Everett

Listening to that kind of devotion, it’s no wonder their cover captures the essence of “Happiness” while making it feel fresh and personal.

Crafting a Cover That Feels Just Right

The journey to this version wasn’t a simple plug-and-play for The Belair Lip Bombs. Daniel Devlin, the band’s drummer, sheds light on the process: “We had a lot of ideas for the…version and we were trying to find ones that Maisie felt really comfortable singing as well.”

He explains how many of The 1975’s songs fit Maisie’s vocal style naturally, making “Happiness” a perfect choice. The band wanted to challenge themselves without overcomplicating the sound, keeping the performance tight and authentic as a four-piece.

“We were conscious of trying not to get other people involved to make it overblown and too big – we just tried to make sure we could do it as a four-piece.” — Daniel Devlin

Their approach really shines through in the performance — it’s raw yet polished, energetic yet intimate.

Watch The Belair Lip Bombs Cover The 1975’s ‘Happiness’ (Like A Version)

Behind the Scenes: The Interview That Reveals The Band’s Connection to The 1975

In a captivating interview following their performance, The Belair Lip Bombs shared more about their musical inspirations and influences. They’ve been hooked on a cover of Kings of Leon’s ‘Sex on Fire’ by Folk Bitch Trio, describing it as “a perfect example of covering another song and making it your own.”

They also praised Tame Impala’s take on Outkast’s ‘Prototype’, with Devlin noting, “I love that one…I still revisit that a fair bit.” It’s clear their appreciation of other artists’ covers informs their own creative choices.

The Band’s Journey and Growth with Third Man Records

Before this cover, The Belair Lip Bombs made waves by signing to Jack White’s Third Man Records, a label known for its passion and commitment to artist development.

Maisie Everett reflects on how this partnership has changed their songwriting process: “I feel like there are songs that, if it was a couple years ago when we’d written it, we’d just probably have recorded it and put it out. Whereas this time I think we were like, ‘No, we can definitely do better than this, let’s keep chipping away at it.’”

She points to their latest work as showing a stronger sense of identity, a maturation that fans can definitely hear.

The band’s evolving identity captured in a recent photo. Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw.

Critical Acclaim and The Path Ahead

The band’s sophomore album, Again, received a glowing four-star review, praised for pushing new boundaries and showcasing their versatility. Critics highlighted tracks like “Hey You” and “Don’t Let Them Tell You (It’s Fair)” as evidence of the band’s boldness and rock roots.

Meanwhile, The 1975 themselves are gearing up for exciting new releases. After their electrifying Glastonbury 2025 headline show, frontman Matty Healy hinted at a possible double album named DOGS, teasing an intense two years ahead for the band.

Fans can also look forward to a 10th-anniversary vinyl reissue of I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It hitting shelves soon.

Why This Cover Matters

This cover is more than just a rendition—it’s a celebration of influence, growth, and the beautiful cycle of inspiration in music. The Belair Lip Bombs’ take on “Happiness” captures the spirit of The 1975 while showcasing their own unique sound and passion.

So, if you’re a fan of The 1975, indie rock, or just great music reinterpretations, this cover is a must-listen.

FAQ

• How did The Belair Lip Bombs choose ‘Happiness’ to cover?
  Maisie Everett felt the song perfectly suited her vocal style and expressed deep personal connection to The 1975’s music, making ‘Happiness’ an obvious choice.
• What makes their cover unique compared to the original?
  They kept the arrangement intimate and as a four-piece band, focusing on authenticity rather than adding complex layers, highlighting their indie rock roots.
• Has The Belair Lip Bombs worked with any notable labels?
  Yes, they signed with Jack White’s Third Man Records, which has influenced their songwriting and band identity significantly.
• What other covers inspire The Belair Lip Bombs?
  They admire Folk Bitch Trio’s cover of Kings of Leon’s ‘Sex on Fire’ and Tame Impala’s cover of Outkast’s ‘Prototype’ for how these artists made songs their own.
• What’s next for The 1975?
  After an epic Glastonbury 2025 set, they hinted at a possible double album titled DOGS and are releasing a 10th-anniversary vinyl of one of their most beloved albums soon.

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