Happytown
East River Pipe Lyrics

The lyrics to East River Pipe’s song “Happytown” speak to a sense of desperation and escapism. The singer in the song is looking for a way out of their current situation by going down to “Happytown,” a place that is depicted as an escape from reality. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer looking out over the city from a high vantage point, observing the train station and the Colgate clock. Despite seemingly having money at their disposal, they still find themselves jumping off docks, perhaps as a way to escape their troubles.

The chorus of the song is repeated multiple times throughout, with the singer asking if the listener can feel their life “burning underground,” suggesting that they feel trapped or stuck in a difficult situation, with few options for escape. The use of the word “underground” could be interpreted as meaning hidden or secret, suggesting that the singer feels as though they are hiding their true feelings or desires.

The lyrics of “Happytown” are open to interpretation, but one possible reading is that they speak to the desire to escape reality and find a sense of happiness or freedom. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this idea, with the singer urging the listener to feel their life and to take action to change their situation.