I Just Can't Be Happy Today
Damned The Lyrics
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I Just Can't Be Happy Today
A lot of you know
theres not a smile
thers no feeling bad
without feeling fine
nobody sighed when justice is read
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
They're closing the schools
They're burning the books
The church is in ruins
The priests hang on hooks
The radio's on ice
The telly's been banned
The army's in power
The devil commands
Illegal to dance
Forbidden to cry
You do what you're toldYou never ask why
Ignore all those fools
They don't understand
We make our own rules
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
I Just Can't Be Happy
Just Can't Be Happy
Just Can't Be Happy Today
I Just Can't Be Happy
Just Can't Be Happy
Just Can't Be Happy Today
The song "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" by The Damned is a commentary on the state of society and politics, portraying a dystopian future where individual freedoms and expressions are suppressed. In the opening lines of the song, the singer acknowledges that people are aware of the general unhappiness and lack of emotion in the world. The line "theres not a smile, theres no feeling bad without feeling fine" suggests that people are unable to express their true feelings, as if living in a robotic state where emotions are repressed.
The lyrics then go on to describe a society where freedom of thought and expression are quashed. The line "there's a price on your head, nobody sighed when justice is read" implies that people are persecuted for their beliefs or for questioning authority. The song continues to describe a world where institutions such as schools and churches are destroyed, and the media is controlled by the government. The censorship and restriction of art and entertainment is also highlighted, as dancing and crying become illegal.
The chorus of the song, "I just can't be happy today," repeats throughout the song and reflects the overall message of the song; that it is impossible to be happy in a society devoid of freedom and creativity. The repetition of this line echoes the monotony of daily life in this dystopian world.
Overall, "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" is a powerful commentary on a future devoid of individuality, freedom, and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
A lot of you know
There are many of you who are aware
theres not a smile
There is no joy
thers no feeling bad
There is no way to feel bad
without feeling fine
Feeling good isn't an option either
thers a price on your head
You are being targeted and someone wants to harm you
nobody sighed when justice is read
Justice isn't being served, and nobody cares or reacts when it's supposed to be
They're closing the schools
Schools are being shut down
They're burning the books
Books are being destroyed
The church is in ruins
The church is falling apart
The priests hang on hooks
The priests are being killed
The radio's on ice
The radio is not allowed to play
The telly's been banned
Television is forbidden
The army's in power
The military is controlling everything
The devil commands
The devil is in control
Illegal to dance
Dancing is not allowed
Forbidden to cry
Crying is prohibited
You do what you're toldYou never ask why
Compliance is expected, and questioning is not allowed
Ignore all those fools
Don't listen to those who don't understand
They don't understand
They have no comprehension
We make our own rules
We govern ourselves
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
The situation is dire, and happiness is not an option
Just Can't Be Happy
Overall discontentment is inescapable
Just Can't Be Happy Today
Especially today, happiness is impossible
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gorblimey61
There was always something quite emotive and moving about the Damned's material that didn't surface in most other punk outfits.
timbuk1
Them and the Stranglers.
Legend2Myth
yes, like history of the world, curtain call, lovely money, just about every song! and the stranglers ZombieRitual, man, thats a beautiful point
Michael Eldridge
Great band
dj
@Michael Eldridge fr
dj
Exactly, they sound a little more profound and experimental, while still being Punk at the end of the day!
killerbunyip
First record I ever bought, age 13, 1980. Still great, still have it.
PrankZabba
This album is a frigging monster. It's like it escapes from the speakers every time. I've listened to this really loud before. And I tell you. It's like the sound waves shake your soul or something. Gotta love it when loud ass music does that to you.
PAUL CROXTON
Fantastic album...Had the first track " love song" played after I married my wife
Ben 4810
Sound engineer Mike Shipley spent a week before recording started working on tuning & dialling-in all the instruments, is the tale Sensible tells, & how grateful he was to Mike for what he did...