Based on Happy Times

Based on Happy Times is Tommy Keene's third album, his second for major label Geffen Records. It was released in 1989 (catalog #9 24221-2) and was his first album available on CD (it was also released on LP and cassette).

Based on Happy Times
Studio album by Tommy Keene
Released	1989
Genre	Power pop, rock
Label	Geffen
Producer	Joe Hardy, John Hampton, Tommy Keene
Tommy Keene chronology
Songs from the Film (1986) Based on Happy Times (1989) Ten Years After (1996)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	Link
Rolling Stone	June 15, 1989

Track listing

All songs written by Tommy Keene, except where noted

1. "Nothing Can Change You" – 3:19
2. "Light of Love" – 3:00
3. "This Could Be Fiction" – 3:24
4. "Based on Happy Times" – 3:47
5. "When Our Vows Break" – 3:20 (Keene, Jules Shear)
6. "The Biggest Conflict" – 3:42
7. "Highwire Days" – 3:37
8. "Our Car Club" – 3:22 (Brian Wilson, Mike Love)
   • Cover of the original recording by The Beach Boys, 1963
9. "If We Run Away" – 4:06 (Keene, Shear)
10. "Hanging on to Yesterday" – 3:53
11. "Where Have All Your Friends Gone" – 2:25
12. "Pictures" – 3:34
13. "A Way Out" – 4:09

Personnel

The band

• Tommy Keene — Vocals; lead, rhythm, and slide guitar; strings; keyboards
• Joe Hardy — Bass guitar, organ ("Nothing Can Change You"), strings ("Based on Happy Times"), Scale Police ("The Biggest Conflict")
• John Hampton — Drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Jules Shear — Harmony vocals ("Nothing Can Change You", "When Our Vows Break")
• Jack Holder — Guitar ("When Our Vows Break", "The Biggest Conflict", "Highwire Days", "If We Run Away"), guitar fills ("Light of Love")
• Peter Buck — Guitar ("Our Car Club"), mandolin ("A Way Out")
• Greg "Fingers" Taylor — Harmonica ("Our Car Club")
• Jeff Jurciukonis — Cello ("A Way Out")

Production

• Joe Hardy — Producer, engineer
• John Hampton — Producer, engineer
• Tommy Keene — Producer
• George Marino — Mastering
• Barry Diament — CD mastering

Additional credits

• Digitally recorded and mixed at Ardent Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
• Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City
• CD mastering at Barry Diament Audio, New York City
• Rocky Schenck — Photography
• Maria Sarno — Stylist
• Ph.D — Art direction and design
• Tom Zutaut (Rock Radio Hall of Fame 2014 inductee) — A&R coordination
• Linda Clark & Associates — Management
• "Thanks to: Bobby Keene; Bob and Dorothy Keene; David Geffen, Ed Rosenblatt, Tom Zutaut, John Kalodner, Marko Babineau, and everyone at Geffen Records; Linda Clark; Rick Bates; Rocky Schenck; Michael Hodgson; James Cromwell; Frank, Bernstein, Conaway and Goldman; Jerry Phillips; Frank Riley; Pat Magnarella; Julie Panebianco; Karen Moss; Jules Shear; Peter Buck; Joanna Sobol; Shirley Jacobson; John Fry; Jody Stephens; Sally Goodwin and everybody at Ardent; Steve Carr; Billy Connelly; Ted Nicely; Doug Tull; Rob Brill; Joey Picuri; John Hansen; John Chumbris; Darren Brown; Caleb Lentzer; Chris Wickam; Rick Semerjian; Stu and New Breed Studios; Teresa Ensenat; Don Dixon; Steve Haigler; Tim Collins and Staff; Dean Jeffrey; Abaad Behram and Razz for "Car Club"; Rusty Olmert; Joey Sansbury; Jack Holder; Bill Wittman; John Agnello; Robin Rapp; Doug Seymore; Clint Carruth; Aimée Tract; and especially Joe and John-forge"