Still, Harvey Danger has attracted U.S. attention due to their critical praise, with the All Music Guide calling the release 'Little By Little' "a smart and compelling pop album". In contrast, the band is little known in Europe, the aforementioned issues compounded since the band focused on selling themselves in America (especially Seattle) and thus made it very difficult for fans to get albums in Europe. The original drummer, Evan Sult, moved to Chicago and now drums in the band Bound Stems. For a short-time, he was replaced by Michael Welke, formerly of the band No. 226.
As a symbol of the group's close connection to its fans, they published their last album as a free download along with other materials. In 2009, they announced on their website they've called it quits. According to them, their decision was mutual, and they felt the band has run its course. The single "Flagpole Sitta" remains popular on various radio stations as well as having notoriety from being the theme song to the popular British comedy program 'Peep Show'.
On March 6, 2016, bass player and founding member, Aaron Huffman, died of respiratory failure.
Happiness Writes White
Harvey Danger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen to the morning music,
Cursing the alarm you set
As you know, I've never been a prayin' man: I don't need a god to make me feel alright, but if you wonder why I never wrote you a song it's because happiness writes white
I tried to put it into word, but the words just sound like mistakes,
I tried to find a set of chords, but you know how long that takes me
Well, I can't trust my fingers, and I can't trust my tongue
When I consider what you put up with, I'm amazed you still have skin
When I consider what you mean to me, it's everything
It's ev-a-re-thing
Ariella, 11:30, I don't wanna go to sleep
Turn the tv off already, curse the hours we have to keep, as you know:
I've never been confident man, I been in the tall grass all my life, until you..
Came along, now there's one less thing wrong even though happiness writes white
Woo hoo hoo
And I know happiness writes white,
And I know happiness writes white,
And I know happiness writes white,
And I know happiness writes white,
I know happiness writes white,
I know happiness writes white
(Are you sleepin'?)
The song "Happiness Writes White" by Harvey Danger expresses the internal struggle of the singer's attempts to express his emotions and gratitude for his significant other. The song seems to be written as a personal apology to Ariella, who had likely been putting up with the singer's insecurities and internal struggle to express love and appreciation. The repeated phrase "happiness writes white" is a reference to the literary idea that happiness is difficult to express because it can seem unremarkable, leaving the page (or canvas) empty, or "white".
The first verse describes the singer waking up early and lamenting the alarm, cursing the fact that he must rise and face the day. The next lines speak to the fact that the singer never writes songs about Ariella not because he doesn't care, but simply because he struggles to put his emotions into words. He doesn't need a god or external force to make him feel okay, but he cannot express his affection for his partner, which is a problem. The first chorus continues to thread that same phrase, "happiness writes white," cementing its importance to the piece.
The second verse has an interesting construction. The singer mentions that it is 11:30 and he does not want to go to sleep. He curses the fact that they must keep late hours because of work or some other obligation. The singer then addresses himself, acknowledging that he has always lacked confidence and has struggled to express himself his whole life. However, he then acknowledges that he is grateful for Ariella, who has helped him to overcome that to some degree and allowed him to feel less burdened by his insecurities, "one less thing wrong" as the lyrics say.
Overall, the song is written more poetically than most pop songs, and has a deeper sense of melancholy and introspection that is not always present in songs about love and devotion. It is a reminder that seemingly simple ideas can be tough to express in a way that captures their true complexity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ariella, 7:30, I don't wanna get up yet
I am not a morning person and I don't feel like getting up at this time.
Listen to the morning music,
I am listening to the sounds of the morning music.
Cursing the alarm you set
I am angry at the person who set the alarm.
As you know, I've never been a prayin' man: I don't need a god to make me feel alright, but if you wonder why I never wrote you a song it's because happiness writes white
I don't believe in God and I don't need a higher power to make me feel better. I haven't written a song for you because happiness is hard to express and often goes unnoticed.
I tried to put it into word, but the words just sound like mistakes,
I attempted to express my feelings, but my words didn't come out right and feel like they are incorrect.
I tried to find a set of chords, but you know how long that takes me
I tried to find the right notes and chords to convey my emotions, but it's difficult for me.
Well, I can't trust my fingers, and I can't trust my tongue
I don't have the confidence to put my feelings into words or music.
The work is too important, and we're no longer young after all
We have important tasks to accomplish and we're getting older, so we need to prioritize our work.
When I consider what you put up with, I'm amazed you still have skin
I'm surprised that you are still here with me despite everything I put you through.
When I consider what you mean to me, it's everything
You mean the world to me and I can't imagine life without you.
Ariella, 11:30, I don't wanna go to sleep
I don't feel like going to bed at this time.
Turn the tv off already, curse the hours we have to keep, as you know:
I am frustrated with the responsibilities we have to deal with and want to turn off the TV.
I've never been confident man, I been in the tall grass all my life, until you..
I lack confidence because of my difficult past, but you changed that.
Came along, now there's one less thing wrong even though happiness writes white
Since you came along, my life feels more complete even though expressing my happiness is difficult.
Woo hoo hoo
A sound of celebration or relief.
And I know happiness writes white,
I am aware that happiness is difficult to express and often goes unnoticed.
I know happiness writes white,
I'm confirming that I know happiness is hard to express.
I know happiness writes white,
Another affirmation that happiness is difficult to convey.
I know happiness writes white,
Repeating that happiness is hard to express.
I know happiness writes white
Final confirmation that it's hard to express happiness.
(Are you sleepin'?)
Asking if the other person is sleeping.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elliott
This album should have been a much bigger deal than it was.
SmallMovies
Ariella, seven-thirty,
I don't want to get up yet,
Listen to the morning music,
Cursing the alarm you set,
As you know, I've never been a praying man,
I don't need a god to make me feel all right,
But if you wonder why I never wrote you a song,
It's because happiness writes white.
I tried to put it into words,
But the words just sound like mistakes,
I tried to find a set of chords,
But you know how long that takes me,
I can't trust my fingers,
And I can't trust my tongue,
The work is too important,
And we're no longer young after all,
When I consider what you put up with,
I'm amazed you still have skin,
When I consider what you mean to me,
It's everything,
It's e-ve-ry-thing.
Ariella, eleven-thirty,
I don't want to go to sleep,
Turn the TV off already,
Curse the hours we have to keep,
As you know, I've never been a confident man,
I've been in the tall grass all my life,
Until you came along, now there's one less thing wrong,
Even though happiness writes white.
I know happiness writes white,
I know happiness writes white, (I know happiness writes white)
I know happiness writes white, (I know happiness writes white)
I know happiness writes white,
I know happiness writes white,
I know happiness writes white.
Are you sleeping?
Fatman131
Still a fan and listen every week, this one means so much to us. Thank you guys
Mitchell Evans
"I'm so happy. How do you write about that?" - Old Hat 1997
"If you wonder why I never wrote you a song, it's because happiness writes white" - 2005
Sounds like writing about being happy was always tough for Sean, but he sure nailed it here.