Less Happy More Often
Joan Armatrading Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once in a while
We share a thought
But most of all we drift apart
Haven't you noticed
We seem less happy more often

And I don't know what to do
Whether to be with you
And I'm as sure as sure
I can't live without you
So what is to become of us
How do we get it back
I'm as certain as you
That I don't like it

When we embrace
The thrill is gone
But in reality we hardly touch at all
Haven't you noticed
We get more lonely
More often

And I don't know what to do
Whether to be with you
And I'm as sure as sure I'm sure
I can't live without you
So what is to become of us
Where do we go from here
I'm as upset as you
At how our love has gone

When we began
We shared a dream
And all our strength was in our unity



Haven't you noticed we seem less mighty
More helpless

I don't know what to do
I can't put the blame on you
But I can't blame myself
So it's neutral
So what is to become of us
How do we get it back
I'm as desperate as you
To be in love again
So what is to become of us
How do we get it back
I'm as desperate as you
To be in love again

Overall Meaning

Joan Armatrading's song "Less Happy More Often" is a poignant portrayal of a failing relationship. The singer laments that she and her partner have grown apart: "Once in a while we share a thought, but most of all we drift apart." She speaks of a loss of connection and intimacy, noting that "when we embrace, the thrill is gone, but in reality we hardly touch at all." The singer is torn between her love for her partner and her desire to escape the relationship, questioning whether to be with him or to leave.


The lyrics convey a deep sense of sadness and confusion. The relationship that the singer once referred to as "mighty" and built on a shared dream has become "helpless" as both partners struggle to find a way to reignite their passion. The repeated refrain - "I'm as desperate as you to be in love again" - suggests that the singer still harbors hope for their relationship, but is unsure how to fix it. The song is a powerful reflection on the ups and downs of love and commitment.


Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while
Every so often


We share a thought
We communicate briefly


But most of all we drift apart
But mostly, we become more distant


Haven't you noticed
Have you not realized


We seem less happy more often
We are becoming less joyful more frequently


And I don't know what to do
I'm uncertain about what actions to take


Whether to be with you
Whether to stay together


And I'm as sure as sure
And I'm highly convinced


I can't live without you
I cannot exist without you


So what is to become of us
So what is the future of our relationship


How do we get it back
How can we revive our love


I'm as certain as you
I'm as convinced as you


That I don't like it
That I don't enjoy it


When we embrace
When we hug


The thrill is gone
The excitement has faded


But in reality we hardly touch at all
But truthfully, we barely touch


Haven't you noticed
Have you not realized


We get more lonely
We are becoming more isolated


More often
More frequently


When we began
When we started


We shared a dream
We had a common aspiration


And all our strength was in our unity
And our power was from being together


Haven't you noticed we seem less mighty
Have you not realized we are becoming weaker


More helpless
More vulnerable


I can't put the blame on you
I cannot accuse you of being at fault


But I can't blame myself
But I cannot hold myself responsible


So it's neutral
So it's inconclusive


To be in love again
To experience love once more


So what is to become of us
So what is the future of our relationship


Where do we go from here
What's our next step


I'm as upset as you
I'm as distressed as you


At how our love has gone
At the way our love relationship has turned out


I'm as desperate as you
I'm as anxious as you




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions