The Compulsive Gamblers were formed in Memphis, TN, in 1990 by Greg Cartwright and Jack Yarber, two friends who had played in a number of rough and ready punk bands in the deep south.
Originally calling themselves the Painkillers, by 1991 guitar maulers Cartwright and Yarber were joined by Philip "Flipper" Tubb on keyboards, drummer Rod "Bushrod" Thomas, and fiddler Greg Easterly, and the new handle the Compulsive Gamblers was adopted.
Hitting the Memphis club circuit, the band recorded a four-song EP, Joker, in someone's kitchen in late 1991; released a year later, the record helped to win them a local following, and two more discs, Church Goin' and Goodtime, followed in 1994.
However, while the singles did reasonably well and the band began developing a powerful reputation on the road as a first-class live act, after Thomas and Easterly relocated to New Orleans, it became difficult for the band to hold together, and in 1995 the band broke up, with their recordings compiled on a CD released by Sympathy for the Record Industry, Gamblin' Days Are Over.
Cartwright and Yarber almost immediately re-emerged with a new group, the Oblivians (in which they renamed themselves Greg Oblivian and Jack Oblivian), but after the Oblivians folded in 1997, Greg and Jack opted to give the Compulsive Gamblers another try, this time as a three-piece with Thomas back behind the drums. The new Compulsive Gamblers trio released an album, Bluff City, in 1999, and added bassist Jeff Meier for a European tour later that year. Brendan Lee Spengler signed on as keyboardist in time to record the Crystal Gazing Luck Amazing album, and a live set followed in 2003. The Compulsive Gamblers also had the honor of backing up R&B legend Andre Williams on several cuts on his album The Black Godfather.
Your Happiness
Compulsive Gamblers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A diamond ring on a handsome prince
That's the only way you'll be convinced
I'd like to be your happiness
I want to be
A brand new mink coat or a shiny new car
That's the only way to be where you are
I'd like to be the flowers that you pick in springtime
Or the golden sun that shines in your hair
It doesn't really matter now, just what I am
As long as what I am you are there
I want to be
A diamond ring—
(Wanna be, wanna be)
Oh, I want to be
(Wanna be, wanna be)
I wanna be
(Wanna be, wanna be)
I want to be
(Wanna be, wanna be)
I wanna be
(Wanna be, wanna be)
I want to be
(Wanna be, wanna be)
I want to be your happiness
The Compulsive Gamblers in the song Your Happiness express a desire to be the source of joy and satisfaction for someone they care about deeply. They use various material possessions such as a diamond ring, a mink coat, and a shiny new car to symbolize what they see as the only way to impress or convince this person to stay with them. The lyrics reveal that the Compulsive Gamblers are willing to sacrifice their own identity to become whatever this person needs, as long as they are able to be with them.
The song also expresses a sense of confidence and determination that the Compulsive Gamblers have in their pursuit of this person's happiness. They want to be more than just a passing fancy or casual acquaintance; they want to be the one thing that brings meaning to this person's life, the one thing that makes everything else worthwhile.
In essence, "Your Happiness" is a song about the lengths people will go to for love and the sacrifices they're willing to make to be with someone they love. It's a sweet and sincere expression of affection, but it also hints at the emotional turmoil and stress that can come with romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be
I desire to become
A diamond ring on a handsome prince
I want to be a luxurious possession that captivates your attention, just like a diamond ring would on the finger of a handsome prince
That's the only way you'll be convinced
I think that the only way to win your love and admiration is through material possessions
I'd like to be your happiness
Ultimately, my deepest longing is to make you happy
A brand new mink coat or a shiny new car
I believe that acquiring these luxurious items will make me equal in value to you
That's the only way to be where you are
My belief that only through material possessions can I find a way to be with you
I'd like to be the flowers that you pick in springtime
My desire to be a natural and beautiful part of your life that brings you joy and happiness, just like a bright, fresh bouquet of flowers in the spring
Or the golden sun that shines in your hair
My aspiration to be the source of the warmth and happiness in your life, like the radiant sun on your shining hair
It doesn't really matter now, just what I am
The details of what I am and what I bring to your life are not important as long as I am part of your world
As long as what I am you are there
My happiness in this relationship depends on you being a part of my life
(Wanna be, wanna be) Oh, I want to be
I can't help but want to be what I think you desire
(Wanna be, wanna be) I wanna be
I long to be the person and things that make you happy
(Wanna be, wanna be) I want to be
My longing to be with you is stronger than anything else
(Wanna be, wanna be) I wanna be
I will do anything to be part of your life
(Wanna be, wanna be) I want to be
All I want is to be the source of your happiness
(Wanna be, wanna be) I want to be your happiness
I desire to be the one thing that makes your life complete - your happiness
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.