In an interview with www.spinner.com, Sudol shared how she came up with the name "(I) had a bunch of books open on a table, "a fine frenzy" jumped off a page of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' [Shakespeare] and it was just right, though every now and then I wonder if it's a bit ... flowery."
Sudol developed the sound of A Fine Frenzy - hypnotic piano arrangements under classic American melody fused into irresistible, atmospheric songs with the power to reach around the world.
The second album, Bomb in a Birdcage, was released on 8 September 2009. A third album, Pines, was released in 2012.
A Fine Frenzy official site - www.afinefrenzy.com
Happier
A Fine Frenzy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Touches stricken, cold and clinical
What a transformation to behold
But I don't like this new, I want the old
It's not the words that make it final
You've said such things such things before to rival them
But it's how you say 'em now that's changed
Lie to convince me that I'll be better off
Oh, you go on and I'll be happier, I'll be happier
You go on, yeah, you go on
You'll be gone and I'll be happier
Shoot me with your rubber bullets
Your finger's on the trigger, pull it
I know you want this suffering to end
So it is forgivable my friend
It's all to convince me that I'll be better off
So you go on and I'll be happier,
You go on and I'll be happier
You go on, yeah, you go on
You'll be gone and I'll be happier
Bo bo ba do bo
Bo bo ba do bo da da da
Say what you mean, what you mean
'Cause you'll be happier without me, without me, without me, oh
You won't convince me, that I'll be better off
So you go on and I'll be happier, I'll be happier
You go on, you go
You'll be gone, and I'll be gone
You go on and I'll be happier, you go on and I'll be happier
You go on, you go on, you go on and I'll go on and I'll be happier
You on and I'll be happier, you go on and I'll be happier
You go on, and I'll be happier
The lyrics of A Fine Frenzy's "Happier" describe the thoughts and emotions of someone who is going through a difficult breakup. The first verse describes how the other person has changed, becoming harsh and cynical, and the singer longs for the way things used to be. The second verse shows the singer being told that they'll be better off without the other person, and the chorus repeats the phrase "you go on and I'll be happier," as if trying to convince themselves of the idea.
The middle section of the song has the singer acknowledging that the other person wants their suffering to end, and is willing to lie to make them feel better. The bridge brings back the idea of being happier without the other person, but this time the singer rejects the notion, saying "you won't convince me, that I'll be better off."
Ultimately, the song is a bittersweet exploration of the conflicting emotions that come with a breakup. The singer is sad to see the relationship end, but also recognizes that it may be for the best.
Line by Line Meaning
Quick kid quick, so harsh and cynical
She notices a change in someone she knows and they’ve become harder and more critical
Touches stricken, cold and clinical
Their reactions lack the warmth and sensitivity that used to be present. They are distant
What a transformation to behold
The person she knew has changed so much that it's almost like she doesn't recognize them anymore
But I don't like this new, I want the old
She longs for the old version of the person that she knew, because the new one isn’t preferable to her
It's not the words that make it final
It's not what they say, rather how they say it that makes things final
You've said such things such things before to rival them
They've said things before that was just as bad
But it's how you say 'em now that's changed
The difference is in the way they express their thoughts now as opposed to before
Cold but sympathetic all the same
They are being less emotional and more sympathetic now, but the sense of detachment remains
Lie to convince me that I'll be better off
They are trying to convince her by lying that she'll feel better off without them
Oh, you go on and I'll be happier, I'll be happier
She believes they will be gone, and her life will be improved in their absence
Shoot me with your rubber bullets
Metaphorically speaking, the person is inflicting pain upon her through their actions
Your finger's on the trigger, pull it
They have control over the way the relationship will proceed
I know you want this suffering to end
She realizes that the harsh treatment is supposed to lead to an end that will improve her life
So it is forgivable my friend
She forgives the person for treating her harshly, recognizing that they believe it's for the greater good
Say what you mean, what you mean
They should be honest and direct about their intentions instead of hiding the truth behind a lie
'Cause you'll be happier without me, without me, without me, oh
They believe they will be happier without her
You won't convince me, that I'll be better off
She doesn't believe that her life will be better without the person
So you go on and I'll be happier, I'll be happier
She believes that they will ultimately leave and her life will improve without them
You go on, you go
She emphasizes that they need to leave and let her live her life without them
You'll be gone, and I'll be gone
They will both leave each other's lives, bringing an end to the relationship
You go on and I'll be happier, you go on and I'll be happier
She repeats that she will be happier without the person in her life
You go on, you go on, you go on and I'll go on and I'll be happier
She acknowledges that the person will continue in their own life, while she will be better off without them
You on and I'll be happier, you go on and I'll be happier
She repeats that she will be happier without them
You go on, and I'll be happier
She concludes by reiterating that she'll be happier once they leave her life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUKAS MCGUIRE BURTON, ALISON SUDOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariafernandavillamil8060
Quick kid quick, so harsh and cynical
Touches stricken, cold and clinical
What a transformation to behold
But I don't like this new, I want the old
It's not the words that make it final
You've said such things such things before to rival them
But it's how you say 'em now that's changed
Cold but sympathetic all the same
Lie to convince me that I'll be better off
Oh, you go on and I'll be happier, I'll be happier
You go on, yeah, you go on
You'll be gone and I'll be happier
Shoot me with your rubber bullets
Your finger's on the trigger, pull it
I know you want this suffering to end
So it is forgivable my friend
It's all to convince me that I'll be better off
So you go on and I'll be happier,
You go on and I'll be happier
You go on, yeah, you go on
You'll be…
@samsmusichub
I've been telling people for years that the writing quality of this song is severely underrated. Thematically, we went from a 1st person POV of someone who is not getting what they want out of a relationship being gaslighted into thinking they'll be better off without the other person (1st chorus), to a sarcastic lashing out of this same acknowledgement (2nd chorus), to an acceptance of the conflict (bridge), to a personal enlightenment period (the following instrumental movement), to a resolved anthem (lead up to and the 3rd chorus). The musical mood changes in each of the 5 phases of the song aligning with the character development, and it's no less than perfect. This is one of the many reasons in my opinion Allison Sudol & A Fine Frenzy is one of the best of all time. OF ALL TIME. Such lyrical, musical, structural, and story-telling intricacy and coordination is almost unheard of (pun intended).
@amangonecrazy
Been listening to her since 08 in high school, still find her music fresh. Love this track.
@AllanYangUSA
This really is a masterpiece. You should be very proud of this song. It’s perfect.
@hykia123
All her songs are just perfect, I love her
@deshk647
Wow! Writing about my first big heart break in 2011 and this song popped into my head. Used to play it all the time because it explained PERFECTLY how I felt. Great to cry to, lol!
@TheCasualMadness
Hi guys. I am a Metal head at heart. But, Allison has such a beautiful and articulate voice. AFF is one of my musical "guilty pleasures". I can tell by listening to this song that she really pours herself into her music. I love "Electric Twist" and "Blow Away" because they're so different than what im used to. Not to mention she's beautiful. If i could find a girl like this, i'd do anything to make her mine..
@TheMurrmursonbottle
I love this song. It captures perfectly the feeling you get when your lover leaves you
@MagicalZayz
I could never be happier with Alison; her vocal prowess and lyrical cleverness, so fresh in a world lacking depth, complete me. <3
@Hofbddvfr
This song never fails to lift my mood <3
@mariafernandavillamil8060
Quick kid quick, so harsh and cynical
Touches stricken, cold and clinical
What a transformation to behold
But I don't like this new, I want the old
It's not the words that make it final
You've said such things such things before to rival them
But it's how you say 'em now that's changed
Cold but sympathetic all the same
Lie to convince me that I'll be better off
Oh, you go on and I'll be happier, I'll be happier
You go on, yeah, you go on
You'll be gone and I'll be happier
Shoot me with your rubber bullets
Your finger's on the trigger, pull it
I know you want this suffering to end
So it is forgivable my friend
It's all to convince me that I'll be better off
So you go on and I'll be happier,
You go on and I'll be happier
You go on, yeah, you go on
You'll be…