Where McKeown cites The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as an influence on her music, the Philadelphia Weekly recently described McKeown's music, saying:
"More singer-songwriters should follow the lead of Erin McKeown, the kooky songbird who's proved both playful and daring throughout her career. With a lilting delivery and chameleonic instrumentation, she even slipped into French for "Coucou", a gem off her unlikely standards album Sing You Sinners. But with McKeown, is anything really unlikely?"
McKeown's latest record, Hundreds of Lions, was released under Righteous Babe Records on October 13, 2009. Additionally, "CabinFever", a series of web concerts recorded in 2009 are available at McKeown's website.
McKeown began her career in the folk scene. She released her first album, Monday Morning Cold, on her own label (TVP Records), travelling throughout New England while still a student at Brown University in order to promote the record. Although she had begun studying ornithology, she graduated from Brown with a degree in ethnomusicology.
Earlier works include the roots and folk-orientated Distillation (2000), mainly pop and swing-orientated Grand (2003), We Will Become Like Birds (rock and pop, 2005) and the jazz and swing-orientated Sing You Sinners (2006, USA: 2007)
Considering she's praised for vivid and entertaining live shows, Erin McKeown released several live records such as an EP featuring live performances on KCRW Radio in 2006 and live recordings from Sirius FM by the end of 2009.
Get Happy
Erin McKeown Lyrics
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Ya better chase all your cares away
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
We're heading 'cross the river
Gonna wash our sins in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Ya better chase all your cares away
Sing Hallelujah, c'mon get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
We're going to the Promised Land
We're heading 'cross the river
Wash our sins away in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
We're heading 'cross the river
Wash our sins away in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Ya better chase your cares away!
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The lyrics to Erin McKeown's song "Get Happy" suggest that listeners should forget their troubles and find peace in their lives. The song encourages people to be happy and to chase away their worries, through a religious lens. The repetition of the phrase, "sing Hallelujah, come on get happy" reinforces the idea that happiness comes from a higher power, and that it is attainable if one has faith.
The lyrics also invoke imagery of a river, which represents a metaphorical journey. The lyrics depict a journey across the river, where people can wash their sins away in the tide, and arrive on the other side feeling peaceful. This imagery is meant to encourage listeners to make a change in their lives, to overcome the burdens they carry and find a sense of lightness.
Overall, "Get Happy" seeks to inspire listeners to find a sense of inner peace and joy despite whatever troubles they may be facing in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up your troubles and just get happy
Put aside all of your worries and focus on being happy
Ya better chase all your cares away
It is important to actively pursue happiness and not let negative thoughts consume you
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Express your joy and gratitude for life
Get ready for the judgment day
Prepare yourself for the ultimate test of your actions and behavior
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The beauty of the world is all around you, so take advantage of it and be happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
God is there to guide and support you
We're going to the Promised Land
There is hope for a better future, where happiness and peace reign
We're heading 'cross the river
We are moving forward in life, with hope and determination
Gonna wash our sins in the tide
We will cleanse ourselves of our imperfections
It's all so peaceful
The future is calm and bright
On the other side
There is a better future awaiting us
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Do not let your worries bring you down, instead focus on the positive in life
Ya better chase all your cares away
It is important to actively pursue happiness and not let negative thoughts consume you
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Express your joy and gratitude for life
Get ready for the judgment day
Prepare yourself for the ultimate test of your actions and behavior
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind