Candlebox is a rock band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in December 1991,… Read Full Bio ↴Candlebox is a rock band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in December 1991, they originally named the band Uncle Duke and later changed it as a tribute to a song by Midnight Oil. They were sometimes looked down upon by grunge fans for their style, which was considered by many to be a derivative version of true grunge, and their commercial success suffered as a result. Despite this, the band played the Seattle club circuit during the early 1990s to the many of the same fans who had supported many of the bands that had come immediately before them. The members did not consider Candlebox to be a grunge band however; they viewed themselves as a rock and roll band more than anything. Nevertheless, Candlebox had sold more than 4 million copies of their self-titled debut which, after many months of gaining momentum, peaked at number 7 on Billboard's album charts. Their follow up album, Lucy, was certified as platinum. Their third and last album was Happy Pills, which was released in 1998. Candlebox was the first successful act on Madonna's Maverick Records, which went on to sign Alanis Morissette, Deftones, and Prodigy.

Candlebox was known for an explosive live show and throughout their 8 year career, they toured with such bands as Living Colour, The Flaming Lips, Our Lady Peace, Rush, Henry Rollins, and Metallica. They were also a featured band on the main-stage at Woodstock '94 and made repeat live performances on the David Letterman show.

They are best known for the singles "Change", "You", "Far Behind" and "Simple Lessons". "Far Behind" entered Billboard's Top 20 in July of 1993 and didn't drop off the charts until January of 1994. The videos for "Far Behind" and "You" were in seemingly perpetual rotation on MTV and became two of the most requested videos of 1993.

Drummer Scott Mercado left the band in 1997 and was replaced by former Pearl Jam member Dave Krusen. Krusen later left the band in 1999 and was replaced by Shannon Larkin of Ugly Kid Joe. Bardi Martin also left the band that year, and was replaced by Rob Reddick (formerly of Dig). The band split in year 2000.

As of 2005, singer Kevin Martin is currently recording and performing as the leader of The Hiwatts. Peter Klett is currently recording and performing as the leader of redlightmusic.

In 2006, Candlebox has reunited with their original line-up. They went on a three-month North American tour beginning on July 1st of the same year. This marks their first collaboration since 1996.

In 2008, Candlebox released their fourth studio album called "Into the sun". This meant their return since 1998's Happy Pills. Also, they released a Live album called "Alive in Seattle" which includes tracks from all their past albums.

In 2009, Kevin Martin (along with Sean Hennesy, Candlebox's guitarist) helped form the super-group The Gracious Few with three of the members of the band LIVE. Functioning as lead singer, the band went on to release a self-titled album which accompanied an extensive tour. Though LIVE has reformed with a new lead singer, more material from The Gracious Few is said to be released in the future

Happy Pills
Candlebox Lyrics

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Sometimes you wake to see yourself
Take happier pills to keep you well
And sometimes you talk to hear yourself
Screaming out loud

Never ever heard a word you said
Can't you see yourself?
Can't you understand?

There's more truth in the way that you lie

But you take a stab at all that's surrounding your mind
Can't you sweep this shit to the side
It's so fucking nice to have you here
To turn our lives from what we fear

But sometimes you're worthless and weak and alone
Will you ever grow?
Here I am I want to help you out
Can't you see yourself?

Can't you understand?
There's more truth in the way that you lie
So you take a stab at all that's surrounding your mind
Well you won't believe when this cloud lifts what you might find

You'll find it's all over and can't you see it's all over
This face that stares back at you
Stares back at you, from these happy pills
They won't keep you well tonight

I'll be here to watch you shudder
I'll be the one that holds you under
Every time you try to shift it
Every time your stitch is slipping

Slipping through time
There's more truth in the way that you lie
So you take a stab at all that's surrounding your mind
Well you won't believe when this cloud lifts what you might find

Got it all over you now
Got it all over you now
Got it all over this

The face that stares back at you from these happy pills
They won't keep you well tonight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Candlebox's song "Happy Pills" are about a person who is struggling with their mental health and resorting to medication to cope. The song opens with the image of waking up and seeing oneself, which could suggest a lack of connection to reality or disorientation. The line "Take happier pills to keep you well" implies that the person is taking medication to combat their mental illness. The second verse talks about how the person speaks but is not heard and that they are not able to perceive themselves. The line "There's more truth in the way that you lie" suggests that their lies are a way of coping with their reality.

The chorus questions the effectiveness of the medication, and whether it is actually helping the person. The lines "this cloud lifts what you might find" suggest that if they were to stop taking the pills, they might find clarity, but the helplessness implied in "sometimes you're worthless and weak and alone" suggests that they are too overwhelmed to even try. The latter part of the song is about being there to support the person, but also acknowledging that they will have to confront their problems eventually. The repeated line "There's more truth in the way that you lie" indicates that the lies and illusions the person is clinging to may be a form of comfort, but ultimately cannot replace a true connection with oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes you wake to see yourself
At times, you wake up and realize your current state of mind.

Take happier pills to keep you well
To maintain your well-being, you resort to taking antidepressants.

And sometimes you talk to hear yourself
There are instances when you speak just to hear your own voice.

Screaming out loud
At times, you let out your emotions through screaming at the top of your voice.

Never ever heard a word you said
Despite your constant talking, nobody seems to listen or understand what you are saying.

Can't you see yourself?
Why are you unable to perceive your own self?

Can't you understand?
Why is it difficult for you to comprehend your own emotions and thoughts?

There's more truth in the way that you lie
Your lies reveal more about your true feelings than the truth itself.

But you take a stab at all that's surrounding your mind
You try to deal with the chaos in your mind, even if it means taking risky actions.

Can't you sweep this shit to the side
Is it not possible for you to push aside your problems and negative thoughts?

It's so fucking nice to have you here
You feel relieved to have someone by your side.

To turn our lives from what we fear
Together, you can face your fears and make positive changes in your lives.

But sometimes you're worthless and weak and alone
At times, you feel completely helpless and lonely.

Will you ever grow?
Do you have the capacity to mature and develop as a person?

Here I am I want to help you out
I want to be there for you and assist you in any way possible.

You'll find it's all over and can't you see it's all over
When the depression fades away, you will realize that everything has changed.

This face that stares back at you
The reflection of your own face that you see in the mirror.

Stares back at you, from these happy pills
You can see the effects of the antidepressants on your own face.

They won't keep you well tonight
The pills will not aid in your wellbeing tonight.

I'll be here to watch you shudder
Even though you may suffer, I will still be there to support and witness it all.

I'll be the one that holds you under
I will be the person to provide comfort when you feel like drowning in your own emotions.

Every time you try to shift it
Whenever you attempt to change your situation or mood.

Every time your stitch is slipping
Each time you feel like you are losing control of your life or yourself.

Slipping through time
Your life is running out of control and going by too fast.

Got it all over you now
You are experiencing the consequences of your actions.

The face that stares back at you from these happy pills
You can see how the antidepressants have affected your physical appearance.

They won't keep you well tonight
The pills will not help with your wellbeing tonight.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARDI DAVID MARTIN, DAVID KRUSEN, KEVIN COLIN MARTIN, PETER ANDREW KLETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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