In 2007, Charlie Winston released his self produced debut album “Make Way” and shortly after embarked on tour with Peter Gabriel on European Summer tour.
Charlie also composed music for film (The Day I will Never Forget by Kim Longinotto), theatre (Almeida Theatre, Nottinghill Gate Theatre), dance (Sadler's Wells, Ballet Rambert) and has often appeared in various TV (Top Of The Pops, Good Morning TV, CD UK) and radio shows (The Steve Merchant Show on BBC 6Music, Spanish Radio 3 with Julio Ruiz, BBC Radio with Stephen Foster).
In Charlie Winston's band, the Oxymorons, harmonica plays devil's advocate within moods, from dirty blues riffs to ethereal angelic cries, meanwhile bass, drums and guitar lay the ground rules, only to be broken. To add to it the Extramorons brass quartet puff their way to a sound that’s carnivalesque. There is an overriding positivity throughout every performance that leaves the audience wanting to dance, laugh and cry all in the same breath.
Website: www.charliewinston.com
Where Can I Buy Happiness?
Charlie Winston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where can I buy happiness?
Does anybody know?
Where can I buy happiness?
I was raised in the desert by an unknown tribe
Had no exposure to the world outside
‘Til I was captured, I was taken to this place
Where the faces are many and they race just like shooting stars!
But I don't know how to carry on
In this world where I don't come from
I guess I'll just do the same
Well I got a little money, now I hope I got change!
Where?
Where can I buy happiness?
Does anybody know?
Where can I buy happiness?
'Cause I don't know
Deep in the city where the lights are like a bad dream
There's people selling trees and snow in every window
I heard a story of a man called Christ
And to celebrate his birthday everybody pays a high price
They must keep happiness behind closed doors
'Cause I can't seem to find no happiness store
Is to raise a smile against the law?
'Cause they all look just how I feel
And if they got a little joy then
I'm happy to make a deal
Well I'll beg and I'll borrow but
I'm not gonna steal!
Where?
Where can I buy happiness?
Does anybody know?
Where can I buy happiness?
Where?
Where can I buy happiness?
Does anybody show me?
Where can I buy happiness?
'Cause I don't know
Can anybody tell me?
Where?
Where can I buy happiness?
Could anybody show me
Where can I buy happiness?
'Cause I don't know
Charlie Winston's song "Where Can I Buy Happiness?" is a poignant exploration of the universal human desire to achieve happiness and fulfillment, and the loneliness and confusion that can arise when it remains out of reach. The song's narrator laments his own lack of direction and purpose, feeling lost in a world that is vastly unfamiliar to him. He poses the central question of the song, "Where can I buy happiness?", suggesting his belief that happiness is something that can be obtained through external means, rather than arising from within.
The song deftly highlights the futility of this belief, as the singer observes a world where even the celebration of a holy day has been commercialized and monetized. The brightly-lit city streets blur together in his mind, filled with people selling artificial trees and fake snow. Winston's lyrics paint a picture of a world in which happiness seems to be something that is always just out of reach, something that is constantly being sold but can never be bought.
Ultimately, the song suggests that true happiness is not something that can be found in any store or marketplace. It is a state of mind that must be cultivated from within, and that often arises from unexpected sources. Winston's plaintive vocals capture the melancholy and loneliness of the singer, while the sparse instrumentation evokes a feeling of isolation and alienation.
Line by Line Meaning
Where?
Charlie Winston is questioning where he can find happiness, highlighting the fact that he is feeling unfulfilled in life.
Where can I buy happiness?
He is asking if happiness is something that can even be bought, as he has been unable to find it despite his financial status.
Does anybody know?
Charlie is seeking guidance and advice from others in his quest for happiness.
I was raised in the desert by an unknown tribe
Charlie is sharing his life story, growing up in a remote desert-based community that left him with little knowledge of the outside world and conventional culture.
Had no exposure to the world outside
He is highlighting the fact that he has not had the chance to experience mainstream society and its different cultures.
‘Til I was captured, I was taken to this place
Charlie's life changed when he was brought to an unfamiliar place by outsiders.
Where the faces are many and they race just like shooting stars!
He describes this new place as full of diverse and fast-moving individuals.
I miss my home and I know that it's gone
Although Charlie is trying to adapt to his new surroundings, he still yearns for his past home and way of life.
But I don't know how to carry on
Charlie feels lost and unsure about how to continue living his life, as his current situation is so far removed from his previous one.
In this world where I don't come from
He feels like a fish out of water in this new society where he is unable to relate to anyone or anything.
I guess I'll just do the same
Charlie has no choice but to continue trying to fit in with the people in this new place.
Well I got a little money, now I hope I got change!
Though Charlie has financial success, he understands that it cannot fully buy him the happiness he seeks.
Deep in the city where the lights are like a bad dream
Charlie finds the hustle and bustle of the city overwhelming.
There's people selling trees and snow in every window
He is remarking on how commercialized and fake the city can feel, with products being sold around every corner.
I heard a story of a man called Christ
Charlie is referencing the story of Jesus Christ and his selfless acts of kindness and empathy.
And to celebrate his birthday everybody pays a high price
He highlights the irony of people having to pay large amounts of money to celebrate Jesus' birthday, a figure known for his compassion and self-sacrifice.
They must keep happiness behind closed doors
Charlie is implying that those in power have access to happiness and guard it as a prized possession, rather than making it available to everyone.
'Cause I can't seem to find no happiness store
Despite searching, Charlie is unable to find a literal store where he can buy happiness.
Is to raise a smile against the law?
Charlie sarcastically wonders if smiling is illegal because it seems like no one is happy in this society.
'Cause they all look just how I feel
Charlie observes that everyone around him appears just as unhappy as he does.
And if they got a little joy then, I'm happy to make a deal
He says he would gladly trade with anyone who has found happiness, implying that he would do anything to experience it for himself.
Well I'll beg and I'll borrow but, I'm not gonna steal!
Charlie will exhaust all other options before resorting to stealing, as he still has his moral compass intact.
Could anybody show me Where can I buy happiness?
Charlie pleads with anyone to show him where he can find the happiness that has eluded him for so long.
'Cause I don't know
The repeated line throughout the song emphasizes Charlie's uncertainty and confusion over how to attain happiness.
Writer(s): CHARLIE WINSTON
Contributed by Max A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
zolthan japsa
Mon chanteur préféré depuis des années, je ne me lasse de cette chason sur une belle vision de vie. merci charlie continu ainsi car c'est vraiment épatant dans toute vos chansons.
zolthan japsa
Un très grand merci de m'avoir sélectionné , je vous écoute toujours et j'ai vos albums, j'aime toutes vos chansons, encore merci mon idole.
barock69
"The less I have, the more I am a happy man" ... Strong words ( Like A Hobo ).
A force de posséder des objets, les objets nous possèdent..
Em Ilowski
you buy happiness by getting a square of land build a giant bouncy castle with multiple floors that are all slightly lowered so you can fill them with the balls from a ball pit. Also install multiple trapdoors and secret passage ways, then invite over some of your friends and give everyone working laser tag gear. BOOM HAPPINESS
Nyykko Nikko
oh it's always good to hear that....6 years after !
best place in our chart = 76
ranXerox09
you'r one of my fav song writers, Charlie I'm studying Singing right now, and you are one of my top inspirations to keep going.. thank you man!!! cheers from Argentina!! (and I hope you to visit us some day!)
Kieran Dacey
Coming back to a good tune xox
IŞO
I love his style so much~♥️✨
Vika Stanislavskaia
Charlie Winston, your songs are exceptionally good we are all very greatful for that! :)
Victorien
Charlie your an AMAZING artist, continue to make me dream with your songs ! I saw you in Festival du Bout du Monde, it was wonderful.. !!