Singer / songwriter / bassist Napolitano formed the band Dream 6 with guitarist James Mankey in Los Angeles in 1982, releasing an eponymous EP in France on the Happy Hermit label in 1983. When they signed with IRS in 1986, labelmate Michael Stipe suggested the name Concrete Blonde, describing the contrast between their hard rock music and introspective lyrics. They were joined by drummer Harry Rushakoff on their eponymous debut album. Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson replaced Rushakoff on Bloodletting and several tracks on Mexican Moon, while Rushakoff was in treatment for drug addiction. Rushakoff was kicked out of the band in 2002 for failing to show up for several rehearsals and shows. He was replaced by Gabriel Ramirez.
Their most popular album was 1990's Bloodletting. The band broke up in 1995, but reunited in 2001, releasing Group Therapy in 2002 and Mojave in 2004.
Happy Birthday
Concrete Blonde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's well after midnight
I guess I'll be alright
I'm laid out on the floor
Drunk and poor
How much longer how much more
Rock me to sleep
The screaming cats they give me the creep
But aside from all that I feel no pain
Staring up at the ceiling stains
Neon in the window
Sirens far away
News on the radio happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday
They're at it again next door
This whole floor I swear
They're out to drive me crazy
Not right now I'm high as a cloud I'm soft and gray and lazy
Neon in the window
Sirens far away
News on the radio happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday
Fly me
Out the window.
Somewhere far away
Singing on the radio
The lyrics to Concrete Blonde's song "Happy Birthday" appear to describe a scene of chaos and irresponsibility. The singer is drunk and broke, lying on the floor late at night while a "cat fight" is happening outside in the hallway. Despite the noise, the singer is being rocked to sleep, feeling no pain and staring up at the stains on the ceiling. The repeated line "happy birthday" could be interpreted as ironic, given the unhappy and chaotic circumstances.
Against this backdrop of chaos, the singer imagines flying out the window to somewhere far away, accompanied by singing on the radio. This could represent a desire to escape from the difficult reality of the present and find some kind of freedom and release.
Overall, "Happy Birthday" seems to be a cynical commentary on the difficulties of life, but with a glimmer of hope for escape or transcendence.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside in the hall there's a cat fight
There's a noisy argument happening in the hallway.
It's well after midnight
It's late at night.
I guess I'll be alright
I'll be okay despite the noise and the alcohol.
I'm laid out on the floor
I'm lying on the ground.
Drunk and poor
I'm intoxicated and don't have much money.
How much longer how much more
I'm wondering how much longer the noise will last.
Rock me to sleep
I want to be comforted and put to sleep.
Strong & deep.
I want the comfort to be strong and deep.
The screaming cats they give me the creep
The loud cats are scaring me.
But aside from all that I feel no pain
Despite the noise and intoxication, I'm not feeling any physical pain.
Staring up at the ceiling stains
I'm looking at the marks on the ceiling.
Neon in the window
There's a neon light shining outside the window.
Sirens far away
I can hear the sound of sirens in the distance.
News on the radio happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday
The radio is playing a happy birthday song multiple times.
They're at it again next door
The neighbors are being loud again.
This whole floor I swear
The noise is affecting the entire floor.
They're out to drive me crazy
The neighbors are deliberately trying to make me insane.
Not right now I'm high as a cloud I'm soft and gray and lazy
I'm not bothered by the noise because I'm feeling very relaxed and comfortable.
Fly me
Take me away somewhere.
Out the window.
Through the window.
Somewhere far away
To a distant place.
Singing on the radio
A song is playing on the radio.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNETTE LIN NAPOLITANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Outside in the hall there's a cat fight
It's just after midnight, I guess ill be alright
I'm laid out on the floor, drunk and poor
How much longer, how much more
Oh, rock me to sleep, strong and deep
The screaming cats they give me the creep
But aside from all that I feel no pain
Staring up at the ceiling stains
Neon in the window
Sirens far away
News on the radio happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
They're at it again next door, this whole floor
I swear, they're out to drive me crazy
Not right now I'm high as a cloud
I'm soft and gray and lazy
Smokin' out the window
Feelin' far away
News on the radio, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Fly me out the window
Somewhere far away
News on the radio, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday
Laurylie Polito
My very "Favorite Birthday Bash Song"
Outside in the hall there's a cat fight
It's just after midnight, I guess ill be alright
I'm laid out on the floor, drunk and poor
How much longer, how much more
Oh, rock me to sleep, strong and deep
The screaming cats they give me the creep
But aside from all that I feel no pain
Staring up at the ceiling stains
Neon in the window
Sirens far away
News on the radio happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
They're at it again next door, this whole floor
I swear, they're out to drive me crazy
Not right now I'm high as a cloud
I'm soft and gray and lazy
Smokin' out the window
Feelin' far away
News on the radio, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Fly me out the window
Somewhere far away
News on the radio, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday
Laurylie Norman
"Happy Birthday"
Outside in the hall there's a cat fight
It's just after midnight, I guess ill be alright
I'm laid out on the floor, drunk and poor
How much longer, how much more
Oh, rock me to sleep, strong and deep
The screaming cats they give me the creep
But aside from all that I feel no pain
Staring up at the ceiling stains
Neon in the window
Sirens far away
News on the radio happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
They're at it again next door, this whole floor
I swear, they're out to drive me crazy
Not right now I'm high as a cloud
I'm soft and gray and lazy
Smokin' out the window
Feelin' far away
News on the radio, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Fly me out the window
Somewhere far away
News on the radio, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday
Kurt Costigan
Concrete Blonde are quite possibly the most underrated band of all time.
john miller
Yup,hubby introduced me to this 12 yrs ago
Stephen Bagshaw
Yes, along with James Mankey's previous band, Sparks.
alicescape
Agreed
Shane Worley
And you couldn't be more correct! I have been a loyal fan for over 30 years and I will ALWAYS be a fan. Johnette is one of the best humans too, big animal lover and humanitarian and I am so glad that I looked up to someone like her, makes my heart happy ❤
Locomule
Agreed and I'll nominate Of Montreal and Masters of Reality as well.
Ian Pryke
Johnette Napolitano is one of the great voices of rock... & the band is so damned under rated it's criminal.
leonard milne
great voice.. yes. but under rated by who? I LOVE THIS BAND BUT ARE YOU SAYING THEY ONLY BECOME IMPORTANT WHEN THE MINDLESS MASSES CATCH ON? ALL GREAT MUSIC ATTRACTS THE VIBE MOVING IN ITS DIRECTION LOTS OF PERFECTLY GOOD PEOPLE DONT LIKE LED OR FLOYD..WHO CARES,,, I LIKE THEM... AND I LIKE MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE. AND THE ONES I DONT LIKE ARE PROBABLY MORE MY FAULT THEN THERES FOR BEING ON MY SHIT LIST. IM ONLY HUMAN. LIGHTEN UP AND THEN SHUT UP . IM CANADIAN SO IM SORRY I GUESS
Nunyah
I'm 50 and feel the same as you do about that.
Steven Douglas
And so, so cute.