1) Jerry Butler, Jr… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists called Jerry Butler:
1) Jerry Butler, Jr. (born December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American soul singer also known as "The Ice Man" because of his cool demeanour while singing often intensely emotional lyrics.
Butler was dubbed the "Iceman" by a Philadelphia disc jockey while performing in a Philadelphia theater. However, Butler achieved what eluded many earlier Doo Wop groups during the 1950s and 1960s — longevity. Butler’s solo career had a string of hits, including "He Will Break Your Heart," "Moon River," "Make It Easy On Yourself," "Let It Be Me" (the Everly Brothers classic re-done as a duet with Betty Everett), "Brand New Me," "Ain’t Understanding Mellow," (duet with Brenda Lee Eager), and "Never Gonna Give You Up," followed by two hugely successful albums The Iceman Cometh in 1968 and Ice On Ice in 1970. The Iceman Cometh garnered Butler three Grammy nominations. Jerry Butler further made recordings for Philadelphia International Records in the 80's. His most noted song for the label was "Cooling Out"
Are You Happy
Jerry Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all that's good
A lot of guys would love you
If they could
When you add up all the hugs
And every little kiss
Get down to the bottom line
And try to answer this
I wanna know are you happy
Tell me, tell me
Do you know how it feels
To have someone to
Love you for real
Oh, you're a hip young man
Trying to make it in the world
Messing up the minds of
A lot of little girls
Brother, you got
To face one fact
The heartache you give out
You're gonna get it all back
So are you happy
Tell me, tell me
Do you know how it feels
Oh, are you really happy, for real
This is one thing
You gotta learn
You never get love until
You give it in return
Are you happy
Hey, tell me, tell me, baby
Do you know how it feels
I wanna know do you have
Somebody to love you for real
Hey, did you hear what I say
Are you really happy
Tell me, tell me, tell me
Do you know how it feels...
The song "Are You Happy" by Jerry Butler seems to be a dialogue between two people who are apparently in a romantic relationship or at least one of them is striving to create one. Through the lyrics, the singer tries to make the other person realize the importance of being happy and loved. The song is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the girl to whom Jerry compliments her beauty and appeals to her feelings by stating that many guys would like to have her. However, he urges her to pause a moment and reconsider her situation – is she happy? He wants her to answer this question honestly and evaluate her present situation.
In the second part, the song shifts to a guy to whom Jerry sings similarly. He's portrayed as a young and ambitious man who is out to conquer the world, but in the process, he's breaking a lot of hearts. Jerry calls on him to face up to reality and the fact that love cannot be gotten without giving it out in return. He enquires if the young man is really happy, and if he knows how it feels to have someone genuinely love him.
Overall, the song touches on the important themes of love, happiness, and relationships. It challenges listeners to appreciate the essence of being happy and loved, and also to recognize their responsibility in the relationships they're involved in.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a very pretty girl
You are attractive in appearance
And all that's good
This is a positive thing
A lot of guys would love you
Many men would be interested in you
If they could
If given the opportunity
When you add up all the hugs
When you consider every moment of physical affection
And every little kiss
Along with each act of kissing
Get down to the bottom line
Looking at the fundamental issue
And try to answer this
Attempt to respond to this question
I wanna know are you happy
I am interested in learning if you are content
Tell me, tell me
Provide me with an answer
Do you know how it feels
Do you understand the sensation
To have someone to
Rarely being alone and having
Love you for real
Truly caring for you
Oh, you're a hip young man
You are a trendy and youthful individual
Trying to make it in the world
Struggling to succeed in life
Messing up the minds of
Influencing the thoughts of
A lot of little girls
Many young females
Brother, you got
My friend, you must
To face one fact
Acknowledge one truth
The heartache you give out
The emotional pain you cause others
You're gonna get it all back
It will come back to you eventually
So are you happy
Therefore, are you content
Do you know how it feels
Are you familiar with the emotion
Oh, are you really happy, for real
Are you genuinely content
This is one thing
Only one aspect is significant
You gotta learn
You have to understand and accept
You never get love until
You will not obtain affection unless
You give it in return
You reciprocate the same to others
Hey, did you hear what I say
Did you listen and comprehend my words
Tell me, tell me, baby
Kindly respond to me, my dear
I wanna know do you have
I am inquiring if you possess
Somebody to love you for real
A person who truly adores you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BELL, BUTLER, GAMBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Corey Sheppard
Great song. With a haunting chorus. And a reminder that the grass is not always greener on the other side. An underrated classic!
chasebeatz
This was, is, and always be one of the BEST from the Iceman, got a chance to see him about 2 yrs ago in Chicago @ a Mothers Day concert. My momma used to play this and Aware of Love all day on Sunday...I still tear up to this tune. Thanks!
Kenneth Hayes
Another Jerry Butler classic! Old school at it best!
Dee Jay J.J.
Yep.
Garrett Davis
Seriously, under rated artist
Dawud Muhammad
Maybe under rated now but not back in the day
Robert Velez
Are You Happy actually sounds better now than it did back in 1968!
3kingkool
I agree
Milton Thompson
As a young man growing up in Jamaica from I was 11years old I have being listening this classic great singer,iam now 58 years old and still enjoying all his songs, long live the ice man.
Toni Cordova
Thanks for your channel. I was 11 years old in 1968 and have loved Jerry's songs ever since.