Happiness
Elliott Smith Lyrics


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Activity's killing the actor
And a cop's standing out in the road turning traffic away
There was nothing she could do until after
When his body'd been buried below

Way back in the day
Oh my, nothing else could've been done
He made his life a lie so he might never have to know anyone
Made his life the lie you know

I told him he shouldn't upset her
And that he'd only be making it worse involving somebody else
But I knew that he'd never forget her
While her memory worked in reverse to keep her safe from herself

And oh my, nothing else could've been done
She made her life a lie so she might never have to know anyone
Made her life the lie you know
What I used to be will pass away and then you'll see

That all I want now is happiness for you and me
What I used to be will pass away and then you'll see
That all I want now is happiness for you and me
What I used to be will pass away and then you'll see





That all I want now is happiness for you and me

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Elliott Smith's song “Happiness,” there are a few narratives that can be identified. First, there is the character called “the actor,” whose life is slowly being killed off by the demands of his career. The second narrative is about a cop who is directing traffic away from an area where a body has just been buried. The third narrative is about a woman who is struggling with her own memories that are working in reverse to keep her safe from herself. All of these stories blend together seamlessly to create a reflective piece that acknowledges the struggles of life and the longing for happiness.


As the song progresses, the lyrics hint at the fact that happiness is something elusive and difficult to attain. The character who was once an actor has made his life a lie to avoid connecting with anyone, while the woman is slowly erasing her own memories to avoid facing her own fears. The chorus of the song is both poignant and hopeful, as the singer recognizes that what he once was will pass away, leaving him with a single desire for himself and others: happiness. In many ways, “Happiness” is a song about the universal struggle to find contentment in a world that can be challenging and unpredictable.


Overall, “Happiness” is a deeply insightful song that speaks to the human experience in a truly profound way. The lyrics are layered, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful, making it a standout piece in Elliott Smith’s catalog.


Line by Line Meaning

Activity's killing the actor
The busyness and stress of life is taking a toll on a person's mental and emotional stability.


And a cop's standing out in the road turning traffic away
There is an external force or barrier preventing someone from moving forward or making progress


There was nothing she could do until after
Someone had to wait for something to happen before they could take action or make a change.


When his body'd been buried below
This line refers to a death or loss, and how one can only act or feel after they have fully processed it.


Way back in the day
A past event or memory is being recalled and acknowledged.


Oh my, nothing else could've been done
The situation was irreversible and no other solution or action could have been taken to change the outcome.


He made his life a lie so he might never have to know anyone
Someone is purposefully isolating themselves and living a false reality, perhaps to avoid facing their true emotions or connecting with others.


Made his life the lie you know
The person has fully committed to their false reality and is living it as their new truth.


I told him he shouldn't upset her
Someone gave advice to another person to avoid causing harm or disruption to someone else.


And that he'd only be making it worse involving somebody else
Bringing others into the situation or conflict would only create more problems or tension.


But I knew that he'd never forget her
Regardless of outside advice or opinion, someone is still holding onto personal emotions and memories.


While her memory worked in reverse to keep her safe from herself
Someone's past experiences and traumas are impacting their current mental state and behavior, perhaps in ways they don't fully understand.


What I used to be will pass away and then you'll see
A person's identity, past behaviors or habits, and ways of thinking are slowly evolving and changing over time.


That all I want now is happiness for you and me
In the end, someone desires happiness and contentment for both themselves and others, despite past struggles or pain experienced.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Steven Paul Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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