He's also telling us, by sharing his violent and sad childhood, that life is going to throw several curve balls at you. Instead of crumbling under the devastion and sadness, you must perservere through it all.
- via ophelia219 on SongMeanings
Unhappy
OutKast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To dwell in earthly hell
A pimp warrior fell
One-two, Sir Lucious "L"
Left Foot in the motherfuckin' booth
Lucious (Lucious)
Sir Lucious Left Foot has just entered
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
First rule in this thing, never let 'em see you sweat!
Never let 'em be a threat and your feelings you must protect 'em
As well as your rectum, must keep self out of harm, out of danger's way
Let strangers play while you graduate and move on
True happiness is not acquired and you won't find it for sale
Unless you're in jail and trying to get a bail bondsman to go on and post that bail
You would be happy as hell
You thought you were happy until that court day came
Couldn't afford that case, nobody to take your place, family Hummers at stake
Too late to escape and you're on the run
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Once upon a rhyme, one time when I was a child (flip that smile upside down now)
When I found out that Santa Claus was nothing more than Vanilli
It was silly, 'cause my mom and pop, they worked for every penny
Didn't have many, but had enough to get by, enough to get fly
Only to start the new year off in debt
Now you forget your happiness came and went like mom and dad's relationship
Take a trip, you bring potato chips, I'll bring the hot sauce
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
1979, Dirty South, Local lounge (flip that smile upside down now)
I never thought that alcohol could ease the notion of the sadness
Now what used to be a happy home done turned into some bad shit
Graphic language, mild violence and the silence of the fams
No members to remember but I know just who I am
I've grown into a man and like my nigga said we executed the game plan
'Cause we got that (hot sauce)
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked (flip that smile upside down now)
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked (flip that smile upside down now)
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked (flip that smile upside down now)
The song "Unhappy" by Outkast explores the idea of how easily happiness can slip away from us and the importance of finding joy in life regardless of circumstances. It opens with the image of being trapped in a prison of one's own making, represented by the "gray cell" and "earthly hell" that one may find themselves in. The lyric "a pimp warrior fell" could be interpreted as the singer acknowledging their own fall from grace, and the subsequent assertion of their identity as "Sir Lucious 'L'" is a way of reclaiming their sense of self-worth.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that once our happiness is lost, it's important to continue having fun and enjoying life in whatever ways we can. The repetition of the line "might as well have fun" underscores this message and encourages listeners to make the most of their situations.
The second verse touches on the importance of protecting oneself from harm, both physical and emotional, and avoiding situations where one might feel threatened. The lyric "True happiness is not acquired and you won't find it for sale" suggests that happiness is something that can't be bought, but must be found within oneself. The reference to jail and bail bonds underscores the idea that freedom is a key component of happiness and that being trapped or restricted in any way can impede our ability to find joy.
The final verse reflects on childhood memories of happiness and how they can be fleeting, as well as the way that relationships and environments can change over time. The line "flip that smile upside down now" is a pointed reminder to stay positive and keep one's sense of humor, even when things are difficult.
Overall, "Unhappy" is a song that encourages listeners to be resilient in the face of adversity and find ways to enjoy life even when things aren't going well.
Line by Line Meaning
Drowning in the gray cell
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed, unable to see any way out
To dwell in earthly hell
Being stuck in a terrible situation on earth, feeling like there's no escape from the pain and misery
A pimp warrior fell
A strong and confident person, who used to be in control, has now fallen and lost their power
One-two, Sir Lucious "L"
Introducing the artist, Sir Lucious Left Foot, aka L
Left Foot in the motherfuckin' booth
Sir Lucious Left Foot has just entered the recording booth
Might as well have fun 'cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked
There's no point in being upset or worrying about things that are out of your control, you might as well have fun while you still can
First rule in this thing, never let 'em see you sweat!
Don't let anyone know that you're struggling or vulnerable, always put up a strong front
Never let 'em be a threat and your feelings you must protect 'em
Keep others from becoming a threat to you, and always protect your own emotional well-being
As well as your rectum, must keep self out of harm, out of danger's way
Not only protect your emotions, but also your physical safety
Let strangers play while you graduate and move on
Don't get caught up in petty dramas or conflicts with strangers, focus on your own growth and success
True happiness is not acquired and you won't find it for sale
Real happiness isn't something you can buy or obtain from external sources
Unless you're in jail and trying to get a bail bondsman to go on and post that bail
The only time money can buy happiness is if you're in jail and need to pay your way out
You would be happy as hell
If you were in jail and could pay for bail, you'd be ecstatic
You thought you were happy until that court day came
Sometimes you don't realize how happy you were until something bad happens
Couldn't afford that case, nobody to take your place, family Hummers at stake
If you can't afford to fight a court case, you risk losing everything, including your family's possessions
Too late to escape and you're on the run
If you get caught up in legal trouble, it may be too late to avoid serious consequences and you'll be forced to flee
Once upon a rhyme, one time when I was a child (flip that smile upside down now)
Reflecting on a time when things were simpler and easier, but realizing that life has changed and now it's time to face reality
When I found out that Santa Claus was nothing more than Vanilli
Losing childhood innocence and realizing that things aren't as they seem
It was silly, 'cause my mom and pop, they worked for every penny
Realizing how hard your parents worked to make ends meet, and feeling grateful for their sacrifices
Didn't have many, but had enough to get by, enough to get fly
Growing up with very little, but still managing to feel good about yourself and have a sense of style
Only to start the new year off in debt
Starting fresh but immediately being burdened with financial problems and obligations
Now you forget your happiness came and went like mom and dad's relationship
Realizing that even happy moments are fleeting, and that relationships (like those of your parents) can be complicated and unstable
Take a trip, you bring potato chips, I'll bring the hot sauce
Suggesting a simple and easy way to enjoy life without getting bogged down by problems or worries
1979, Dirty South, Local lounge (flip that smile upside down now)
Evoking a specific time and place, and acknowledging that things have changed since then
I never thought that alcohol could ease the notion of the sadness
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism, but realizing that it doesn't really solve anything
Now what used to be a happy home done turned into some bad shit
Lamenting the loss of a place where you used to feel happy and safe, which has now become something negative
Graphic language, mild violence and the silence of the fams
Describing a chaotic and unhappy home environment, characterized by arguments, tension, and a lack of communication
No members to remember but I know just who I am
Feeling disconnected from family members who have caused you pain or who are no longer in your life, but still having a strong sense of self-identity
I've grown into a man and like my nigga said we executed the game plan
Acknowledging personal growth and development, and celebrating the achievement of goals with friends (using a colloquial, informal tone)
'Cause we got that (hot sauce)
Feeling confident, successful, and on top of the world (using a metaphorical image of having a delicious condiment)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Algenard Herring, Antwan Patton, David Sheats
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
la Son
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@23 references psalm 23
A healthy portion of this song on all verses spits on spiritual