I Want to Be Happy
Count Basie & The Mills Brothers Lyrics


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I'm a very ordinary man
Trying to work out life's happy plan
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me

When I find a very lonely soul
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.

Life's really worth living
When we are mirth giving
Why can't I give some to you

When skies are grey and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through

I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.

When skies are grey and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through

I want to be happy




But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.

Overall Meaning

The song "I Want to Be Happy" by Count Basie & The Mills Brothers is a song about the pursuit of happiness and the joy that comes from making others happy too. The singer of the song is an ordinary man who is trying to figure out how to live a happy life. He believes that the key to happiness is treating others the way he would like to be treated. When he comes across someone who is lonely, his goal becomes to make them happy by sharing his philosophy with them. The singer recognizes that his own happiness is intertwined with that of those around him and he won't truly be happy until he is able to make others happy too.


The song emphasizes the importance of giving and spreading joy to those around us. The line "Life's really worth living when we are mirth giving" embodies the message of the song. The singer recognizes that making others happy brings meaning and purpose to life. The song highlights the power of positive energy and how it can transform someone's mood. Even when the skies are grey, the singer is determined to send "the sun smiling through".


Overall, the song "I Want to Be Happy" promotes the idea that true happiness comes from spreading joy to others and living a life of compassion and empathy.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a very ordinary man
I am a simple person


Trying to work out life's happy plan
I am trying to figure out how to live a happy life


Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
I treat others how I would like to be treated


When I find a very lonely soul
When I encounter someone who is lonely


Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
My objective becomes to make them feel less alone


I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
Sharing my beliefs makes me feel good


I want to be happy
I desire to experience joy


But I won't be happy
However, I cannot be happy


Till I make you happy too.
Until I can help you also feel happy.


Life's really worth living
Living life is truly valuable


When we are mirth giving
When we give joy to others


Why can't I give some to you
Why can't I bring you some happiness?


When skies are grey and you say you are blue
When things seem hopeless and you feel down


I'll send the sun smiling through
I will try to cheer you up


I want to be happy
Once again, I desire to experience joy


But I won't be happy
However, I still cannot be happy


Till I make you happy too.
Until I can make you feel happy as well.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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