1) Harem Scarem is a R… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Harem Scarem is a Rock band hailing from Ontario, Canada, formed in 1987. They renamed themselves Rubber in 1999 and released two albums under that name. In 2001, they went back to the Harem Scarem name. In the Summer of 2007 they announced they "will officially break-up after one more studio album." They would reform in 2013 and has released four more albums since then.
2) Harem Scarem emerged from Melbourne's mid-80's indie scene, but, it could be argued, were closer in sound to classic Australian blues-rock from a decade before (Dingoes, Coloured Balls, Chain, Rose Tattoo etc.). Their sound was infused with a heady mix of punk spirit and Stax soul that also made them contemporaries of the likes of The Gun Club and the Beasts Of Bourbon.
Harem Scarem first appeared on the Melbourne Psychobilly compilation “Asleep at the Wheel”. They soon developed (via the “Dogman” EP and some key line-up changes) into a powerhouse live act, where Christopher Marshall's extraordinary, passionate vocals combined with Charlie Marshall's stonesy guitar.
With the classic line-up of the Marshall brothers, Barry Palmer (guitar), Glen Sheldon (bass), Peter Jones (drums) and Chris Wilson (harmonica & sax), the band went into the studio with producer John Archer (Hunters & Collectors) and emerged with this, their masterful 1986 album: Pilgrim's Progress (now re-issued by Aztec Music http://www.aztecmusic.net/)
3) Harem Scarem is a Scottish contemporary folk band http://www.haremscaremscotland.co.uk who have collaborated with Will Oldham AKA 'Bonnie Prince Billy'
happiness
Harem Scarem Lyrics
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And you don't wanna stay I guess
I was thinking I still had a lot to say
While you were thinking it's all for the best
I was sure that I was gettin on with things
Now I'm in tha same old mess
I'm better now nothing left to prove
And no one there impress
Oh
It's a road we all travel
Oh no here we go again
Everything's changing
It's changing again
What's tha matter baby
It doesn't matter baby
I thought I could count on you till the end
For happiness
Happiness
I know I said I'd make it up to you
But i don't like the place I'm in
I wish that I could tell you what to do
But I wouldn't know where to begin
And when I'm all but thinking don't you come around
Another everything is all I don't need
In doing anything I'd only let you down
cause I won't be waiting
The song "Happiness" by Harem Scarem tells the story of a couple whose relationship is falling apart. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the end of the relationship and is trying to make sense of it all. He hears his partner say that he makes it hard to leave and that she doesn't want to stay anymore. He realizes that he still has a lot to say, but she just wants to move on. He thought he was getting on with his life, but now he's back in the same old mess. He claims that he's better now and has nothing left to prove, but he's also feeling alone and no longer trying to impress anyone.
The chorus of the song reflects on the changes that everyone goes through in life. It's a road that we all travel, even if we don't want to. The singer is struggling to deal with the changes happening in his life and the end of his relationship. He thought he could count on his partner until the end to find happiness, but now he's not sure. He wishes he could make things right, but he's not in a good place himself and wouldn't even know where to begin. He concludes the song by saying that he won't be waiting for his partner anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear you say I make it hard to leave
You're expressing that you feel tied down and unable to leave.
And you don't wanna stay I guess
You're not happy being here anymore.
I was thinking I still had a lot to say
I feel like there's still more to discuss and talk about.
While you were thinking it's all for the best
You're convinced that leaving is the best course of action.
I was sure that I was gettin on with things
I thought I was moving on and making progress.
Now I'm in tha same old mess
But now I find myself back in the same emotional state I was in before.
I'm better now nothing left to prove
I've improved and no longer have anything to prove to anyone.
And no one there impress
And I'm not looking to impress anyone anymore.
Oh
Expressing disappointment and frustration.
It's a road we all travel
This is a common experience that everyone goes through.
Oh no here we go again
Feeling stuck in this same cycle again.
Everything's changing
Everything seems to be changing for the worse.
It's changing again
I feel like everything is constantly changing and I can't keep up.
What's tha matter baby
What's wrong?
It doesn't matter baby
Never mind, it doesn't matter.
I thought I could count on you till the end
I thought our relationship was solid and could withstand anything.
For happiness
But now I realize that true happiness can only come from within.
Happiness
Repeating the notion that true happiness cannot be found outside of oneself.
I know I said I'd make it up to you
I promised to make things right with you.
But i don't like the place I'm in
But I'm unhappy with myself and where I'm at in life.
I wish that I could tell you what to do
I wish I could help you find a solution to our problems.
But I wouldn't know where to begin
But I feel overwhelmed and don't know how to fix things.
And when I'm all but thinking don't you come around
I'm trying to move on but your presence makes it difficult.
Another everything is all I don't need
I don't need any more confusion or complications.
In doing anything I'd only let you down
I'm afraid that any action I take will ultimately disappoint you.
cause I won't be waiting
I won't wait around for something that may never come.
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.