Happiness

Album: Seventh Tree (2008)
Charted: 25
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Will Gregory (synthesizer) told The Sun newspaper February 15, 2008 about this song that on the surface appears happy but has a dark undercurrent: "It's got that kids, mums and dads sing-along feel at the end but I think it's not quite as happy as all that." Alison Goldfrapp added: "What a wonderful idea but how the hell do you get happy? What is happy and how bloody long is it going to take to get really happy. It's something that we're all trying to strive for but there's the idea that you can't buy happiness."
  • The music video takes its inspiration from a scene in the 1953 MGM musical Small Town Girl. The original jump dance, which was performed by Bobby Van, has been referenced in a number of commercials and videos.
  • Will Gregory (synthesizer) told the Daily Mail April 18, 2008 about this song's 'slighty nutty' pop sound: "We thought we needed to be more psychedelic. But neither of us knew what psychedelic meant. I think it was our word for dreamy."

Comments: 1

  • Joel from Princeton-plainsboro, NjVery Beatlesque.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.