I Want a Little Doggie
Lena Horne 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 grey 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 grey 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

The lyrics of Lena Horne's song "I Want To Be Happy" express a simple yet profound idea - that the key to happiness lies in making others happy. The singer, who describes himself as an "ordinary man," is on a mission to work out life's "happy plan." He believes that treating others with kindness and empathy is a crucial part of this plan, and that by making lonely souls feel better, he can ultimately make himself happy as well.

The central message of the song is encapsulated in the refrain: "I want to be happy, but I won't be happy till I make you happy too." The singer acknowledges that happiness is something that needs to be shared, and that his own happiness is incomplete without that of others. He sees it as his mission to bring joy to those around him, particularly those who are feeling down or lonely. Even in difficult times, such as when "skies are grey," he remains committed to making others happy, and sees this as a way of bringing light and warmth into their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a very ordinary man
I'm just an average person

Trying to work out life's happy plan
Trying to figure out how to be happy in life

Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
Treating others the way I want to be treated

When I find a very lonely soul
When I meet someone who is alone

Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
My only goal becomes to make them feel less alone

I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I feel great when I can share my positive outlook on life with them

I want to be happy
My goal is to be happy

But I won't be happy
But I won't be truly happy

Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can make you happy as well.

Life's really worth living
Life is valuable and worth living

When we are mirth giving
When we bring joy to others

Why can't I give some to you
Why can't I make you happy too

When skies are grey and you say you are blue
When you're feeling sad

I'll send the sun smiling through
I'll try to make you feel better and bring happiness to your life

I want to be happy
My goal is to be happy

But I won't be happy
But I won't be truly happy

Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can make you happy as well.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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