From her third album Swept, the beautiful ballad “Love Moves In Mysterious Ways” (penned by the stellar song writing team Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow) was featured as the end title in the Demi Moore movie, The Butchers Wife, and went Top 20 in the UK and reached the #1 spot in the Philippines.
In 2009, Julia self released her tenth record China Blue on Little Boo Records, exclusively available through CD Baby. This jazz record is comprised of original songs written by Julia and produced and arranged by the wonderfully talented multi-instrumentalist Grant Mitchell.
As there are so many jazz “standards” records – Julia longed to release an album of original songs. However, when she played some gigs, jazz songs were added to the set, including a version of Michael McDonald’s hit “I keep Forgettin.” Rearranged and produced for this record by Jon Gilutin (Linda Ronstadt), she was thrilled when the co-producer of this song Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Michael McDonald) played the track to Michael. Having always been a huge fan, Julia was delighted when immediately after hearing her rendition of his song, Michael added his remarkable voice to the track, blessing it with his rare and distinctive vocal sound.
After a long and illustrious career, selling millions of records worldwide on Virgin Records and three releases on Vanguard Records, including a live CD and accompanying DVD, That’s Live was recorded and filmed at the House of Blues in Hollywood and released in 2005. Produced by Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Madeline Peyroux), it included an all star band and featured a stunning duet on the song “Concrete Love” with Grammy Award winning artist India.Arie and trumpet player/composer (“Crash”) Mark Isham.
Also, available exclusively from iTunes, The Baby Love EP, an exquisite collection of songs that Julia wrote for her daughter Marley Rose.
Currently Julia is in the studio with actor/comedian and classically trained pianist Paul Reiser collaborating on a record of original songs which is expected to be released in the Fall.
Happy ever after
Julia Fordham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's tears in these eyes
Not happy ever after
And I thought it was plain to see
And I thought the whole world could be
And I thought we'd be happy ever after
You could say that I'm living in a pipe dream
Things are never what they seem
And I hope I can safely say
And I hope most things go my way
And I hope they'll be happy ever after
Down in Southern Africa
No happy ever after
Not now but soon forever
While they're sitting comfortably
In that white winter city
How can we be happy ever after
Um by yay
Est ce le South Africa
So don't ask me why I'm running out of laughter
There's tears in these eyes
Not happy ever after
And I thought it was plain to see
And I thought that maybe you and me
And I thought we'd be happy ever after
Um by yay
Um by yay
Um by yay
Est ce le South Africa
Julia Fordham's song "Happy Ever After" is an introspective and melancholy ballad that touches on the theme of shattered dreams and unfulfilled expectations. The lyrics speak of the singer's disappointment with life and love, as she reflects on the gap between her hopes and reality. The opening line "Don't ask me why I'm running out of laughter" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it suggests that the singer is struggling to cope with her emotions. The line "There's tears in these eyes, not happy ever after" further emphasizes the feeling of disillusionment and sadness.
The chorus "And I thought it was plain to see, and I thought the whole world could be, and I thought we'd be happy ever after" highlights the singer's frustration and dashed hopes. The lines "You could say that I'm living in a pipe dream, it's just looking back, things are never what they seem" conveys a sense of retrospection and uncertainty, as the singer realizes that her idealized vision of life was unrealistic. The final verse, which references Southern Africa and the contrast with the privileged lifestyle of "that white winter city," adds a layer of social commentary and highlights the inequality and injustice in the world.
Overall, "Happy Ever After" is a poignant and reflective song that explores themes of disillusionment, shattered ideals, and the gap between expectations and reality. It's a song about coming to terms with life's disappointments and finding a way to move forward despite the difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't ask me why I'm running out of laughter
I'm feeling sad and unable to laugh, and I don't want to talk about it.
There's tears in these eyes Not happy ever after
I'm crying because I'm not experiencing the happy ending that I thought I would have.
And I thought it was plain to see
I believed it was obvious that we were going to live happily ever after.
And I thought the whole world could be
I thought that everyone could have a happy ending like I thought I would.
And I thought we'd be happy ever after
I thought that our relationship or situation would have a happy ending.
You could say that I'm living in a pipe dream
Some might say that I have unrealistic or impractical hopes.
It?s just looking back Things are never what they seem
Upon reflection, things don't turn out to be as they appeared.
And I hope I can safely say
I'm expressing my desire to be able to make a positive statement with confidence.
And I hope most things go my way
I'm wishing for things to work out in my favor.
And I hope they'll be happy ever after
I'm wishing for a happy ending for someone else.
Down in Southern Africa No happy ever after
In Southern Africa, there are no happy endings happening.
Not now but soon forever
Though it's not currently happening, I believe that there will soon be a permanent happy ending.
While they're sitting comfortably In that white winter city
Others are enjoying a comfortable life in a different place while I'm not experiencing a happy ending.
How can we be happy ever after
I'm questioning how it's possible for anyone to experience a happy ending in the world as it is.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULIA FORDHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind