Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
I Want To Be Happy
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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.
In Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "I Want To Be Happy," the lyrics speak of a man who is simply seeking happiness in life. He is an "ordinary man" who is trying to figure out what it takes to be happy. He believes that treating others the way he would want to be treated is a key factor in achieving this happiness. He also finds purpose in helping those who are lonely by sharing his "philosophy" with them.
The chorus of the song is where the message really hits home. The singer admits that he wants to be happy, but he cannot reach this happiness until he has made those around him happy as well. He believes that life is worth living only if we are able to give joy to others. He promises to send the sun smiling through on even the cloudiest of days to make sure his loved ones are happy.
The meaning behind "I Want To Be Happy" is simple, yet profound. It reminds us that true happiness cannot be found within just ourselves, but also in the joy we bring to others. The song speaks to the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion as well as the satisfaction that comes from helping others feel happy.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a very ordinary man
I am just a regular person
Trying to work out life's happy plan
I am trying to figure out how to live a happy life
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
I treat others the way I want to be treated
When I find a very lonely soul
When I meet someone who is lonely
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
My main aim becomes to make them feel less lonely
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I feel happy when I share my beliefs with them
I want to be happy
I want to be happy in life
But I won't be happy
However, I will not be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can make you happy as well
Life's really worth living
Life is valuable and beautiful
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 are sad and feeling down
I'll send the sun smiling through
I will try to cheer you up
I want to be happy
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
However, I will not be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can make you happy as well
When skies are grey and you say you are blue
When you are sad and feeling down
I'll send the sun smiling through
I will try to cheer you up
I want to be happy
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
However, I will not be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can make you happy as well
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Allen
Thank You Soooo Much for posting this . I've been trying to find this for several years I had the 45 with 'Candy Man' on the flip side but lost it years ago!
BluesInMySoul
He just made ME happy!!
teddibearsworld
Fuckin wow! this was also the flip of Candy Man. Great song!
lindalds
I had it once, too. Does that age us or what?? After hearing Sammy's version, I was spoiled for anyone else's.
Michele Lazarow
B side of The Candy Man 45. I have the 45. I would love to get it iTunes. I love this version.
pericarditis2009
Baby ! I'm happy human, and all the peoples around me just don't get it!
Victor Giordanengo
Merci Fran pour le titre ! The title of song !
Newspaper Grouch
I feel bloody old after listening to this song. The Candy Man was my first favourite song as a kid. No one told me the rules that you were never to listen to side B on a 45. One day I flipped it to side B and loved this song just as much. Wish I still had the 45 and the album.
AJ Wal
YES IT WAS! I still have my 45 of that!
myeyesinside out
this is the shit... go sammy