See also http://www.last.fm/music/Benny+Goodman+&+His+Orchestra
I Want to Be Loved
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to work out life's happy plan
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
When I find a very lonely soul
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Life's really worth living
When we are mirth giving
Why can't I give some to you
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
The lyrics of Benny Goodman's "I Want to Be Happy" describe an ordinary man who is attempting to figure out how to lead a happy life. His simple strategy for happiness is doing unto others as he would have them do unto him, therefore he seeks to help lonely souls by sharing his philosophy. The singer claims that sharing his philosophy makes him feel better, implying that helping others brings him happiness.
The chorus of the song repeats the singer's desire to be happy, but he acknowledges that he cannot achieve happiness unless he makes others happy as well. He believes that life is worth living when we bring joy and merriment to others, and this motivates him to want to make others happy.
The final verse of the song is noteworthy, as it suggests that the singer is willing to go the extra mile to cheer someone up. When someone else is feeling down, he is willing to send the sun shining through the gray clouds, thereby highlighting his altruistic nature.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Want to Be Happy" promote a simple message of kindness and generosity, implying that true happiness can be found by making others happy.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a very ordinary man
I am just an average person, nothing special or extraordinary about me.
Trying to work out life's happy plan
I am attempting to figure out how to lead a happy life.
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
I treat people the way I would want to be treated myself.
When I find a very lonely soul
When I come across someone who seems to be alone and in need of companionship,
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
my primary objective becomes to provide them with some form of company or support.
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I derive great satisfaction from sharing my beliefs and ideas with them.
I want to be happy
I desire to feel content and fulfilled with my life.
But I won't be happy
However, I know that I cannot achieve happiness on my own.
Till I make you happy too.
I must also work to make those around me happy and fulfilled before I can hope to achieve that same feeling.
Life's really worth living
Life has value and meaning, and is worth experiencing fully.
When we are mirth giving
When we are able to bring joy and happiness to others,
Why can't I give some to you
I want to be able to share that feeling of happiness with you as well.
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
When you are feeling sad, unhappy, or in despair,
I'll send the sun smiling through
I will try to bring joy and brightness back into your life and make you happy once again.
I want to be happy
I want to experience true happiness and fulfillment in my life.
But I won't be happy
However, I cannot achieve that happiness alone.
Till I make you happy too.
I must work to make those around me happy as well, before I can be truly happy myself.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michigan Trainz and Railfanning Productions
Benny Goodman will always be one of my favorite bandleaders. Thank you for this fantastic video, you make these records sound great
The78Prof
My pleasure!
David
Brilliant version, it brings back post-war California smoothly.
Kathleen Shotz
I remember watch movies as a kid with these songs as background!
corrie121
I love this post and I thank you for sharing it.
BЯoly LSSJ
Ace!
I remember as well. My Mom and Grandparents raised me. We watched tons of classics. On any good day you'd find the tv on T.C.M.
Good times.
Good times.
Jerome Rymer
When this song came out 1947 that's the year I was born I'm 74 years old now what a blessing
Alf Pacino
Hermoso.
EyesofZoey
Lovely
Trombonology Erstwhile
Lillian Lane got around! ... Well, I mean (or I assume) in the purely professional sense. She was a talented vocalist; I especially like her group work in Thornhill's Snowflakes and also with the Crew Chiefs from Tex's orch. I do, of course, prefer Johnny Green's "I Wanna Be Loved" in intrinsic terms, but BG's band, still in fine shape as the times were changing, and Lillian knock this contraction-less variant out of the park.