Happy
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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Some need gold and some need diamond rings
Or a drug to take away the pain that living brings
A promise of a better world to come
When whatever here is done
I don't need that sky of blue
All I know's since I found you, I'm happy when I'm in your arms
Happy, darling, come the dark
Happy when I taste your kiss
I'm happy in a love like this

There's a house upon a distant hill
Where you can hear the laughter of children ring
Guardian angels, they watch from above
Watching over the love that they bring
But at night I feel the darkness near, I awake and I find you near
I'm happy with you in my arms
I'm happy with you in my heart
Happy when I taste your kiss
I'm happy in love like this

In a world of doubt and fear
I wake at night and reach to find you near
Lost in a dream, you caught me as I fell
I want more than just a dream to tell

We're born in this world, darling, with few days and trouble never far behind
Man and woman circle each other in a cage
A cage that's been handed down the line
Lost and running 'neath a million dead stars
Tonight let's shed our skins and slip these bars
Happy in each other's arms
Happy, baby, come the dark




Happy in each other's kiss
I'm happy in a love like this

Overall Meaning

Bruce Springsteen's song "Happy" is a love song that speaks about the love that the singer has found in his life. The chorus of the song describes that the singer does not need any materialistic things like gold, diamond rings, or drugs to make him happy. All he needs is his lover and her embrace to make him happy. He feels content, happy and complete with her.


The verses describe two different scenarios, the first one is of the laughter of children in a distant house while the angels watch over them. The second one is of the singer feeling afraid of the darkness, but when he wakes up, he finds his lover near him, which makes him feel happy and safe. The song speaks about how the world can be full of doubt and fear, but having someone who loves you and is there for you can make everything feel okay.


Line by Line Meaning

Some need gold and some need diamond rings
People have different desires and materialistic needs in order to feel happy


Or a drug to take away the pain that living brings
Some people resort to drugs to escape from the challenges of life that make them unhappy


A promise of a better world to come
Everyone seeks a hope and a vision that a better world lies ahead


When whatever here is done
When the struggles and problems of the current world are over


I don't need that sky of blue
The artist values love and human connection over material things such as the beauty of the sky


All I know's since I found you, I'm happy when I'm in your arms
The singer is happy when they're with their loved one, and they believe that's all they need to be happy


Happy, darling, come the dark
The singer is happy even in the dark times when their loved one is by their side


Happy when I taste your kiss
The artist finds happiness in simple pleasures, such as the kiss from their loved one


I'm happy in a love like this
The artist is happy when they feel the love of the person they're with


There's a house upon a distant hill
The artist describes a faraway house where children play and are free from troubles


Where you can hear the laughter of children ring
The sound of children's laughter is a symbol of happiness and purity


Guardian angels, they watch from above
A metaphorical representation of protection and care from above, perhaps a higher power or loved ones who have passed away


Watching over the love that they bring
The protection and watchful care of the angels apply to the love shared between people


But at night I feel the darkness near, I awake and I find you near
The singer gets scared at night, but their loved one is there when they wake up


I'm happy with you in my arms
The singer is happy because they have their loved one with them


I'm happy with you in my heart
The love that the artist has for their loved one makes them happy for as long as it's in their hearts


In a world of doubt and fear
The world is a scary and uncertain place


I wake at night and reach to find you near
The singer is scared at night and wants to reach for their loved one


Lost in a dream, you caught me as I fell
The singer is comforted by their loved one even in their dreams


I want more than just a dream to tell
The artist desires a love that is real and not just in their dreams


We're born in this world, darling, with few days and trouble never far behind
The world is a tough place and humans have limited time to live and enjoy it


Man and woman circle each other in a cage
The constraints of society and the way genders interact can sometimes feel like a cage


A cage that's been handed down the line
The society's preconceived notions of gender roles and expectations have been ingrained over time


Lost and running 'neath a million dead stars
Metaphorically, the person feels lost and alone under the vast, dark sky


Tonight let's shed our skins and slip these bars
The singer wants to break free from the societal cage and live without those preconceptions


Happy in each other's arms
The singer finds happiness when they're with their loved one


Happy, baby, come the dark
The singer is happy to have their loved one with them even in dark times


Happy in each other's kiss
The simple pleasures and affection between the couple make them happy


I'm happy in a love like this
The artist has found happiness in their love for each other




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

chopkins57

This song is brilliant in its simple, honest statement, and Bruce's lyrics are beautiful as always.

Timothy OConnell

I have known bruce since I was 16 and his music runs through my blood. He has made my life so much better in so many ways.

Secret Garden

The most beautiful love song I ever heard! Thank you, Bruce Springsteen!

Jake Weakley

This is an amazing Springsteen song. It is kinda funny when you think about it, this is an "outtake" on the tracks album. Bruce is so talented that songs like this are outtakes! I could only dream of writing like that! He is an amazing man and musician!

johnnyM809

Greatest songwriter of all time. No doubt about it. This song will be my first dance song at my wedding if I ever get married that is !

Rondarb

wow. bruce is just such a master of his craft. emotional music, it's incredible.

hannah mayhew

This one should have been used in a movie. Has always been in the top of my 200 favorite Springsteen songs.

Victoria Sánchez

200? Only? More like one of my favourites among 138371819 songs 😂

m-pierre rousseau boileau

N😄thing to add ,frien 300 songs ,20 albums ,we are so lucky

Ken Frankel

Nice to see so many share my sentiments on this touching song... Would love to one day see it performed live,,,With Bruce anything is possible as all of his matrl eventually makes it's way back into the mix

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