Out of a disastrous feeling described as either having seen god or having had a bad bout with mono came Flowers Forever. Awaking one morning on the verge of a nervous breakdown lead singer and guitarist Derek Pressnall came to earth shattering resolve that there was something he needed to inject into his life; as the song “Golden Shackles” repeats again and again, “change better come!” The Tilly and the Wall guitarist immediately turned to art and the exploration of creation, working towards whatever he could. The result was Flowers Forever, a band almost tragically based around a save-the-world type of positive self expressionism.
Happy New Year
Flowers Forever Lyrics
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You better not cry,
or open your mouth.
You better not die.
It's a happy new year!
They're making the list,
they're checking it twice.
Are you on that list?
It's a happy new year.
Holy shit.
Holy fuck.
Little tin horns,
little toy drums.
They'll march right in.
They're gonna blow it up.
It's a happy new year.
You're always awake,
always trying to get sleep.
They like you awake,
they like you to be.
It's a happy new year.
Holy shit.
Holy fuck.
Holy shit.
Holy fuck.
H-A-P-P-Y
New year!
H-A-P-P-Y
New year!
H-A-P-P-Y
New Year!
H-A-P-P-Y
New year!
H-A-P-P-Y
New year!
The lyrics of Flowers Forever's song "Happy New Year" convey a sense of impending danger and uncertainty, despite the celebratory nature of the holiday. The opening lines warn against negative emotions or actions, suggesting that something bad could happen if the singer deviates from a prescribed code of behavior. This sense of control and manipulation is further emphasized by the lines "They're making the list, they're checking it twice," referencing Santa Claus's infamous list of naughty and nice children. The implication is that someone, or some group, is watching and judging the singer's every move.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase "It's a happy new year" several times in a row, takes on an almost sarcastic tone, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves or others that everything is fine when it clearly is not. The use of profanity in the song further underlines the sense of anxiety and tension, suggesting that the singer feels trapped or oppressed in some way. The final lines, which spell out "H-A-P-P-Y New Year" repeatedly, almost like a children's chant or a taunt, drive home the sense of forced cheerfulness that permeates the song.
Overall, "Happy New Year" is a powerful combination of dark lyrics and catchy, upbeat music, reflecting the complexity of human emotions and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You better not pout.
Do not be upset or frown.
You better not cry,
Do not shed tears or be sad.
or open your mouth.
Do not speak out or complain.
You better not die.
Do not pass away or cease to exist.
It's a happy new year!
It is a time of celebration and joy for the new year.
They're making the list,
They are composing a record or roster.
they're checking it twice.
They are reviewing it carefully or thoroughly.
Are you on that list?
Are you a part of this list or not?
No, not tonight.
Not at this moment or not currently.
It's a happy new year.
It is still a time of jubilation for the new year.
Holy shit.
An expression of surprise or disbelief.
Holy fuck.
Another expression of surprise or disbelief.
Little tin horns,
Small metallic wind instruments.
little toy drums.
Tiny percussion instruments used as toys.
They'll march right in.
They will enter with a coordinated stride.
They're gonna blow it up.
They will create an explosive sound with their instruments.
It's a happy new year.
The joyous atmosphere persists.
You're always awake,
You are consistently alert or not sleeping.
always trying to get sleep.
Always attempting to rest or slumber.
They like you awake,
They prefer you to be awake or conscious.
they like you to be.
They desire you to exist in that manner.
It's a happy new year.
The feeling of happiness and celebration continues.
Holy shit.
Another amazed exclamation.
Holy fuck.
Another shocked interjection.
Holy shit.
Yet another exclamation of surprise.
Holy fuck.
A final expression of astonishment.
H-A-P-P-Y
Spelling out the word for happiness.
New year!
Calling attention to the occasion of a new year.
H-A-P-P-Y
Repeating the spelling of happy.
New year!
Restating that it is a new year.
H-A-P-P-Y
Repeating the word one last time.
New Year!
Finalizing the statement for the new year.
Contributed by Nathaniel W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.