“Buzzin’,” the new hip-pop single from Mann that I mentioned yesterday, isn’t the first song to have slapped on some Nu Shooz in the studio. Back in 1997, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis paired a sample of “I Can’t Wait” with a chunky jeep beat to create “Happiness” for Vanessa Williams.

The first single from Williams’ fifth album, Next, “Happiness” stalled at #38 on the Billboard R&B chart, and didn’t even crack the Hot 100. It’s a fantastic track, but with the exception of one Adult Contemporary hit (“Oh How The Years Go By),” Next didn’t deliver. Williams was dropped by Mercury Records, and she didn’t release another album until 2004’s Silver & Gold, her second Christmas set.

Looking at music video for “Happiness,” Vanessa Williams remains as stunningly gorgeous today as she was all those years ago, though the singer-actress’ tresses are a hot mess in the clip. You know Wilhelmina Slater never would have stood for such shoddy workmanship; she would have fired her half-asleep hairstylist on the spot.

Though currently starring in Desperate Housewives, Williams has spent some time away from Wisteria Lane in the recording studio. A new album is expected this year.

Purchase Vanessa Williams – “Happiness” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.