I Want to Be Happy
Joe Venuti Lyrics


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I'm a very ordinary man
Trying to work out life's happy plan
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me

When I find a very lonely soul
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.

Life's really worth living
When we are mirth giving
Why can't I give some to you

When skies are gray and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through

I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.

When skies are gray and you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through

I want to be happy




But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.

Overall Meaning

In Joe Venuti's song "I Want to Be Happy," the singer portrays himself as an ordinary man who seeks to lead a happy life while helping others do the same. He believes in doing unto others as he would like them to do unto him, and when he comes across a lonely soul, his only goal becomes to make them feel better by sharing his philosophy. The singer ties his own happiness to making others happy around him, believing that life is worth living only when we are spreading joy and positivity to others.


The lyrics of this song illustrate the importance of empathy and compassion towards others in order to lead a happy life. The singer recognizes that true happiness can only be achieved when we make an effort to spread happiness to those around us. Even when the skies are gray and someone we know is feeling blue, he strives to do what he can to turn their day around and bring a smile to their face.


Overall, "I Want to Be Happy" is a song that celebrates the power of kindness and positive energy in our interactions with others. It reminds us that we can find happiness through helping others, and that spreading joy can create a ripple effect in the world around us.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a very ordinary man
I am just a regular person


Trying to work out life's happy plan
I am attempting to figure out how to be content in life


Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
I treat others how I would like to be treated


When I find a very lonely soul
When I encounter a person who seems very alone


Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
My objective is to help them feel less lonely


I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
By sharing my perspective with them, I feel a sense of fulfillment


I want to be happy But I won't be happy Till I make you happy too.
My happiness is tied to yours, so I will not be content until you are as well


Life's really worth living When we are mirth giving Why can't I give some to you
Life is enjoyable when we make others happy, so why not try to make you happy?


When skies are gray and you say you are blue I'll send the sun smiling through
When you are feeling down, I will try to cheer you up


I want to be happy But I won't be happy Till I make you happy too.
My happiness is tied to yours, so I will not be content until you are as well


When skies are gray and you say you are blue I'll send the sun smiling through
When you are feeling down, I will try to cheer you up


I want to be happy But I won't be happy Till I make you happy too.
My happiness is tied to yours, so I will not be content until you are as well




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@marilynstevenson865

What a lineup!! Cheeky, Joe Venuti..wonderfully cheeky!! My introduction to the violin, as a child, was through Joe Venuti when hearing him on my parent's 78''s of jazz recordings. I was hooked..but, until recently , I never explored, as an adult, Joe's recordings, I am ashamed to say. I owe my love of Stephane Grappelli and Yehudi Menuhin, both of whom I have seen, in Australia, to Joe Venuti. Absolutely, fleetingly beautiful!!

@bhsisthebest

Beautiful, thank you for posting.

@johnruggeri843

Venuti was born is South Philadelphia (1903) near where I live. He is my great uncle.

@helena.v.h

My dad (Pietro Venuti) was a relative and lived in Sweden. My grand mother Catena Palumbo went to America in 1912 I believe it was. After some years she went back to Sicily, Italy and married Placido Venuti (Joe's cousin or uncle), my grand dad.
My dad loved Joe Venuti's music and was very proud of them being relatives.
:)

@cvtsboy

Helena Venuti Hansén Great to know that Joe Venuti likes on in his relatives. He could make a tune swing, like no other musician.

@ivanredskin

@@helena.v.h and i am from spain, olé Venuti!

@MissMoonshineDance

I wonder if ALL his recordings are on youtube/spotify?

@silviopiccioni4211

favoloso Joe, favoloso Barney Kessel

@redinhodaflauta1269

As far as I know this was a touring "Newport Jazz Festival" triple bill show - with this "Newport All-Stars" group (which, along with Venuti also boasted vibraphone superstar, Red Norvo and, I think, the great Ruby Braff - we see here, on screen, of course Barney Kessell, Larry Ridley, bass, and the legendary Don Lamond, drums - with impressario George Wein himself, leading from the piano) - the Herbie Mann band (at that time with avant-garde distorted electric guitar player Sonny Sharock) and - top top things off, none other than The Divine One - Ms. Sarah Lois Vaughan HERSELF (!), with her trio of that time: Bob James, piano; the legendary Herb Mickman on bass and, I think, Omar Clay on drums.

@Petroschristidis

wow !!!

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