While Greg Kihn may have found a home for his music when he moved to Berkeley in 1974 and signed on with Beserkley Records, it would take almost a decade to find a successful formula for his music. Winding from Dylanesque folk to merseyesque rock, by the early '80s Kihn and his band found they shared elements of new wave music, and scored their first US hit, "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)." Kihn had a bigger hit the following year with "Jeopardy," which peaked in the States at number 2. "Jeopardy" brought Kihn two of the highest honors an early eighties act could achieve: MTV put the video into heavy rotation, and Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody. Kihn has been hard at work over the years, hosting a radio show, writing books and coming up with clever album titles (Kihnspiracy, Unkihntrollable). He has kinhtinued recording through it all, though it has proven difficult for Kihn to recapture the successes of 1982 and '83.
(http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/gregkihnband.htm)
Happy Man
Greg Kihn Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something real that I can touch
Someone there late at night
Someone there to hold me tight
You know I understand
Just what it takes
To be a happy man
I'm gonna be a happy man
Just you and me while we still can
There's nothing that we can't do
Me and you, a happy man
Some people need a lot
Others want what they haven't got
I need just what it takes
That's when the tension breaks
I'll be just what I am
Oh, oh, oh
A happy man
I'm gonna be a happy man
Just you and me while we still can
There's nothing that we can't do
Me and you, a happy man
I'm gonna be a happy man
Just you and me while we still can
There's nothing that we can't do
Me and you, a happy man
I'm gonna be a happy man
Just you and me while we still can
There's nothing that we can't do
Me and you, a happy man
A happy man
A happy man
A happy man
I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be
A happy man
The lyrics to Greg Kihn Band's "Happy Man" speak to a desire for simplicity and contentment in life. The singer acknowledges that they don't ask for much and that they just want something real and tangible that they can hold onto. This is further emphasized when they express the need to have someone to hold them tight, particularly at night. It's clear that the singer is not looking for material possessions or great wealth, but instead values the presence and affection of another person.
The chorus of the song features the repetition of the phrase "I'm gonna be a happy man," followed by the sentiment that the singer and their partner can do anything together. This reinforces the idea that the singer's happiness is not tied to external circumstances, but to the connection they have with their partner. The second verse acknowledges that some people require more than what the singer needs to feel happy, but makes the point that when they have what they need, the tension in life dissipates and they are free to be who they truly are.
Overall, the lyrics to "Happy Man" are about finding joy and contentment in the simplicity of life and the connection to another person. It speaks to the human desire for love and companionship, and the understanding that those things are what truly make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
I do not ask for much
I don't need a lot
Something real that I can touch
Just something tangible and authentic
Someone there late at night
A someone who'll be with me late in the night
Someone there to hold me tight
A someone to hug me tight
You know I understand
I know what it requires
Just what it takes
Precisely what's necessary
To be a happy man
To become content and satisfied
I'm gonna be a happy man
I am going to be glad
Just you and me while we still can
Just us – only until we're able
There's nothing that we can't do
There's no task between me and you
Me and you, a happy man
Together, and we'll become delighted
Some people need a lot
Some people require so much
Others want what they haven't got
Others want what they lack
I need just what it takes
I need precisely what's required
That's when the tension breaks
That's when the pressure fades away
I'll be just what I am
I'll become contented as I am
A happy man
A satisfied man
I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be
I am going to become
A happy man
A contented soul
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emo Bassist
No one ever talks about greg kihn but all his songs are pretty good
Alan Strom
It's called going under the radar.
Not intentionally though.
It just happens to some Bands.
JORGEPSOUSA911
Is it me or is this band very underrated?
Alan Strom
Normally I hate it when people on You Tube comments say that a Band or Artist are 'under rated'.
Though in this case I think I agree.
Greg Kihn Band had 2 massive Hit songs in Australia in the 80's, so I thought they would've been very popular and successful in their home country.
I checked their Discography and they did have several more Hits in the USA.
Most of the Hits were moderate, only reaching the 60's or 80's, 90's or higher.
Though in such a huge market as the USA, you still need to sell a decent number of Units to make those positions on the Charts.
Financially, I think they did OK.
The Minecraft Haag
Here in Mexico Greg Kihn was well listened in the early 80's, the most succesful songs, "Jeopardy = Peligro", "The Breakup Song = La Canción Incompleta", "The Girl Most Likely = La Niña Más Preciosa", "Happy Man = Hombre Feliz".
spiraljoe1273
One of my favorite Greg Kihn songs - had it on 45 and now I have it digital! Even if they don't play the video anymore I still love the song.
melindaofcalifornia
One of my favorite GKB songs. Danced to it hundreds of times. Might as well start on the next few hundred of times.
Lies, damn lies, and stats Weird
This is my FAVORITE Greg Kihn song. Thanks for the memories!!!
wildbill9919
I always loved how he smashes the alarm clock with the window. Wish I could do that to my alarm clock every morning.
Trucker Kev The Paid Tourist
I like that and I love the shameless plug as he puts his own album on 😂