Franks grew up in southern California with his father Gerald, his mother Betty and younger sister Christine who is the mother of Connor Sullivan (The lead singer of The Royal Nonesuch). Although no one in his family played music, his parents loved swing music and his early influences included Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer. At age 14 Franks bought his first guitar, a Japanese Marco Polo for $29.95 with six private lessons included - the only music education that he received.
At University High in Irvine, Franks discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke with his off-rhymes and hidden meter. In high school, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar. Studying English at UCLA Michael discovered Dave Brubeck, Patti Page, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Miles Davis. He never studied music in college or later, but earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in comparative literature in 1966 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in 1968. He had a teaching assistantship in a Ph.D. program in American literature at the University of Montreal before returning to teach part-time at UCLA.
During this time Franks started writing songs, starting with the antiwar musical Anthems in E-flat starring Mark Hamill. He also composed music for the films Count Your Bullets, Cockfighter, and Zandy's Bride, starring Liv Ullmann and Gene Hackman. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded three of his songs, including "White Boy Lost in the Blues" on their album Sonny & Brownie. Franks played guitar, banjo and mandolin on the album and joined them in touring. In 1973, he recorded an eponymous album, later reissued as Previously Unavailable, which included the minor hit "Can't Seem to Shake This Rock 'n Roll".
In 1975 Franks released his second album The Art of Tea, beginning a long relationship with Warner Brothers Music. The Art of Tea featured Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and Wilton Felder of The Crusaders and included the hit song "Popsicle Toes". His third album, Sleeping Gypsy (1977), which includes the song "The Lady Wants to Know", was partially recorded in Brazil. Around this time, percussionist Ray Armando gave Franks a cabasa, which became a signature instrument for him to play on stage when he was not playing guitar. Burchfield Nines (1978), which includes the song "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty", reflects his move to New York City and features more of an East Coast sound. Since then, Franks has recorded more than 15 albums.
His best known works include "When I Give My Love to You", "Popsicle Toes", "Monkey See, Monkey Do", "Tiger in the Rain", "Rainy Night in Tokyo", and "Tell Me All About It". His biggest hit came in 1983 with "When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)" from the album Passionfruit. Radio hits include "Your Secret's Safe With Me" from 1985's Skin Dive, and "Island Life" from 1987s The Camera Never Lies.
I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad
Michael Franks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in trouble
See'n double
I have been hurting for someone for so long
Is it you
Is it you
We're so slam bang
We're so yin yang
You had my heart followed
And you locked it
And swallowed the key
I came unglued the night I met you
I felt my life divide by two
You'd think by now I would know better
Love is always blue
Your Laissez-faire
And your long chestnut hair
Drive me crazy
Make me lazy
Like poor little kitten's
I done lost all my mittens
For you
I came unglued the night I met you
I felt my life divide by two
You'd think by now I would know better
Love is always blue
Oh I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad
But I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
Oh I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad
But I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
The song "I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad" by Michael Franks is a song that speaks to the experience of being deep into a relationship that may not be going as planned. In the beginning of the song, Franks describes feeling like he is "See'n double," which could be interpreted as feeling like he is split between two choices or two ways of thinking. He then goes on to say that he has been hurting for someone for so long, and questions whether or not the person he is hurting for is his partner.
Franks then goes on to describe his relationship with this person as being like a scene from the African Queen, which emphasizes the idea that their relationship is both exciting and tumultuous. Franks uses the phrase "slam bang" to describe the intensity of their relationship, which is then balanced out by the phrase "yin yang." He then talks about how this person had "locked" his heart and "swallowed the key," which suggests that this person has a hold over him that he cannot easily break free from.
In the second half of the song, Franks describes feeling overwhelmed by his partner's laissez-faire attitude and her physical appearance (specifically her long chestnut hair). He compares himself to a "poor little kitten" who has lost all of his mittens, which suggests that he is feeling vulnerable and as though he is unable to take control of the situation. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I don't know why I'm so happy I'm sad," which captures the complex emotions that can come along with being in a relationship that is both thrilling and difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in trouble
I am having a difficult time dealing with my feelings
See'n double
I am struggling to clearly see the situation for what it is
Is it you / Is it you
I am unsure if my feelings are directed towards you
We're like a scene from the African Queen / We're so slam bang / We're so yin yang
Our relationship is intense and passionate, yet also chaotic and unpredictable
You had my heart followed / And you locked it / And swallowed the key
You have my heart and have control over my emotions, but you are not letting me in or giving me access to your own feelings
I came unglued the night I met you / I felt my life divide by two / You'd think by now I would know better / Love is always blue
My life changed dramatically since I met you, and it is difficult for me to comprehend and accept the emotional turmoil love can bring
Your Laissez-faire / And your long chestnut hair / Drive me crazy / Make me lazy
Your carefree and easygoing attitude, combined with your physical attractiveness, make me feel both enamored and apathetic
Like poor little kitten's / I done lost all my mittens / For you
I feel vulnerable and helpless without you, like a lost and defenseless kitten
Oh I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad / But I am / Yes I am / Yes I am / Yes I am
I have complex and confusing emotions that are difficult for me to articulate or understand
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.