Burrell made his first recording in 1951, with Dizzy Gillespie. After moving from Detroit to New York City in 1956, he recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians, including John Coltrane, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, and Cedar Walton. He also led his own groups since 1951.
In the 1970s he began leading seminars about music, particularly Duke Ellington's (Burrell has a music degree from Wayne State University). A highly popular performer, he has won several jazz polls in Japan and the United Kingdom as well as the United States.
He has recorded about 40 LPs, including Midnight Blue (1961), Blue Lights, Guitar Forms, Sunup To Sundown (1990), Soft Winds (1993), Then Along Came Kenny (1993), and Lotus Blossom (1995).
Burrell now serves as Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA.
Get Happy
Kenny Burrell Lyrics
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Ya better chase all your cares away
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
We're heading 'cross the river
Gonna wash our sins in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Ya better chase all your cares away
Sing Hallelujah, c'mon get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
The sun is shining, come on get happy
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
We're going to the Promised Land
We're heading 'cross the river
Wash our sins away in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
We're heading 'cross the river
Wash our sins away in the tide
It's all so peaceful
On the other side
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Ya better chase your cares away!
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Get ready for the judgment day
Kenny Burrell's song "Get Happy" is an uplifting and cheerful tune that encourages listeners to pack up their troubles and let go of their worries. The song starts by telling the listener to chase all their cares away and to sing Hallelujah as they get happy. The song mentions the idea of judgment day and encourages listeners to be ready for it by getting happy and letting go of their troubles. The lyrics imply that the Lord is waiting to take their hand, and they should be prepared for it.
The chorus repeats the idea of getting happy and singing Hallelujah while getting ready for the judgment day. The song references the Promised Land as a peaceful place where they will head over the river to wash away their sins. It's a reflective and optimistic song that leaves the listener with a sense of hope and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up your troubles and just get happy
Leave all your problems behind and strive for happiness.
Ya better chase all your cares away
It is important to eliminate stress and anxiety from your life.
Sing Hallelujah, come on get happy
Express your happiness joyfully, and openly.
Get ready for the judgment day
Be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.
The sun is shining, come on get happy
Take a positive outlook on life and appreciate the good times.
The Lord is waiting to take your hand
God will guide and protect you on your journey through life.
Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy
Celebrate your joyous moments with uncontainable excitement.
We're going to the Promised Land
We are moving towards a better future, a happier life.
We're heading 'cross the river
We are moving forward on our journey.
Gonna wash our sins in the tide
We must cleanse ourselves of our mistakes and regrets.
It's all so peaceful
Life can be calm and restful at times, so enjoy it while it lasts.
Forget your troubles and just get happy
Abandon all negative thoughts, and focus on what makes you happy.
Ya better chase your cares away!
Don't hold on to your problems, let them go.
Get ready for the judgment day
Be accountable for your actions, and accept whatever judgement comes your way.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind