Simpson began to record songs in his bedroom during the summer of 2009 on YouTube, performing Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours", "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake, and his own songs, "One" and "Perfect". He was subsequently discovered on YouTube by Shawn Campbell, a Grammy-nominated record producer who has produced for Jay-Z and other artists and moved to the US in June 2010 to sign with Atlantic Records. His debut single, iYiYi (featuring. Flo Rida), was released in June 2010 and peaked in the top 20 in Australia and top 30 in New Zealand.
Simpson released two studio albums with Atlantic Records, Paradise (2012), and Surfers Paradise (2013), before departing the label due to creative differences in August 2014. His first independent release, 2015's Free, marked a shift from his teen pop music to a more acoustic rock singer/songwriter sound. In 2017 he formed a band called Cody Simpson and the Tide, and released the blues and surf-rock influenced EPs Wave One (2018) and Wave Two (2019) before splitting in 2019.
In 2019, Simpson returned to solo work, releasing the single Golden Thing on 18 October, a song he wrote about his then-girlfriend Miley Cyrus.
In December 2020, Simpson revealed on Instagram that he had qualified for the Australian Olympic trials in the 100m butterfly, but failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing in 8th place in the trails in Adelaide in June 2021. He is currently training to make the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On 25 January 2022, Simpson released his first single in more than two years, Nice To Meet You, the first single off his upcoming 4th studio album, due to be released in early 2022.
Happy Lil' Hippie
Cody Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed
And if you see her, just remember
She's looking up while you're looking down
Turn your whole world around for a kiss
Little miss like to put on blush, paint her lips red
Riding 'round the city looking pretty in a pink Corvette
The sky's looking red but she looking fine, hey hey, she's still smiling
She got her name from a street in Brooklyn
Said her frown is just a smile turned upside down
Now she walk around town with her head sewn on the wrong way
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed
And if you see her, just remember
She's looking up while you're looking down
Turn your whole world around for a kiss
Oh baby, sing it one last time, yeah
She hide her name but her daddy took it from her now
Said her frown is just a smile, twist turned upside down just like this
Little miss like to put on blush, paint her lips red, oh
Walk around town in a gown down there on the sunset
Lights are on but everybody's gone, sleeps all day, party 'til dawn
But hey hey, she's still smiling, she still smiles
The opening lines of Cody Simpson's "Happy Lil' Hippie" describe a girl who seems to have everything wrong, with "her head sewn on the wrong way" and waking up on "the wrong side of the bed." However, despite her seeming misfortunes, the song stresses that she still has an infectious smile and a positive outlook on life, which she shares with those around her through random acts of kindness, symbolized by a kiss. The lyrics encourage listeners to see beyond the surface and to appreciate the happiness and kindness around them, even when things may seem bleak.
The main character's fashion choices, like her pink Corvette and her rhinestone phone, add to her unique personality and free-spirited nature. She draws inspiration for her name from a street in Brooklyn, reflecting the idea that she is not bound by traditional definitions of identity. Ultimately, the song highlights the power that one person's positive energy can have in the world, inspiring others to join in spreading happiness and love.
Line by Line Meaning
And now she walk around town with her head sewn on the wrong way
She's feeling lost and confused and is struggling to find her way in life.
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed
She's feeling down and is not in a good mood.
And if you see her, just remember
She wants people to be kind and understanding towards her.
She's looking up while you're looking down
She's trying to see the positive in life, while everyone else is focused on the negative.
Turn your whole world around for a kiss
A moment of happiness and love can completely change someone's perspective on life.
Little miss like to put on blush, paint her lips red
She's trying to appear happy and put together, even though she's struggling.
Riding 'round the city looking pretty in a pink Corvette
She's trying to escape her problems and find joy in material things.
She got her rhinestone phone, somebody on the other line
She's constantly seeking validation and attention from others.
The sky's looking red but she looking fine, hey hey, she's still smiling
Despite the chaos around her, she's still trying to find a reason to smile and be happy.
She got her name from a street in Brooklyn
Her identity and sense of self are important to her.
Said her frown is just a smile turned upside down
She's trying to convince herself (and others) that everything is okay, when it really isn't.
She hide her name but her daddy took it from her now
Her father has a big impact on her life, possibly in a negative way.
Walk around town in a gown down there on the sunset
She's trying to find beauty in the world, even when she's feeling down.
Lights are on but everybody's gone, sleeps all day, party 'til dawn
She feels alone and disconnected from the world around her.
But hey hey, she's still smiling, she still smiles
Despite all of her struggles, she's still trying to stay positive and find joy in life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CISCO ADLER, CODY SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tatiana Tomlinson
I'm so fucking proud of you, damn I've been here since your covers in 2009..you've grown and now you're an independent artist and nothing makes me happier than seeing you happy doing what you love.. I love you so so much <3 (pls dm me if u see this (codyftlouis)
Dennis Kent
This song is really cool and chill. Perfect for the summer, thanks Cody :)
Dennis Kent
@Olga Feliz Hi Olga, thank you so much :) !!
Olga Feliz
Omg in subscribed to you channel<3
Lindsey Kilgore
so proud of you Cody! Been here for you since 2011 and I'm not going anywhere. this is such a cute song ❤️
Jana KF
I'm getting so emotional.
All these vibes are coming from a beautiful mind and soul. So proud of you for finally doing you.
Keep going, you got my support.
#Free is my #1 summer album already.
So much love ❤️
Gina McKay
I am in love with the new songs Cody's making. He's finally showing us through his amazing talent just who he is. I loved the old Cody and I'll continue to love even the new grown up Cody. He's such an inspiration to me and to so many people. He's changed so many lives and I know that he will continue to do the same. He's such a remarkable person, he's my angel
Codys music and he himself saved me. Cody, I love you from Canada to Australia and back 1000 times mate. Your my angel, and nothing will ever change that. Please never stop doing the amazing things yourre always doing. Ilysm mate! 😊😚✌💜🌊
Natalie Kwan
Such a cheerful song that makes me forget about bad things happening :)
Hamza Hassaballa
Damn this song literally put a smile on my face. I love it
Rawan Alqusie
I remember when u did the iyiy song with Florida, I was so fangirling so hard. I was always go to your website so listen you newest songs. I was obsessed with u.
And here u r, in the top charts. I'm so happy and proud of u Cody. Can't wait to see u win all the awards and beat 1d and all the celebrities. Ughh, I'm crying😹💗