I'm Sad Because I'm Happy
Sesame Street Lyrics
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And everything goes wrong
When I start yelling, "Go away!"
And people say, "So long!"
When everything's in disarray
I'm right where I belong
When fun's away on holiday
This grouch must sing this song
I'm sad, because I'm happy
And I'm happy, 'cause I'm mad
And I'm mad, 'cause it sounds sappy
To be happy when you're sad
Yes there are days when skies are grey
And all the world looks yucky
When clouds and rain won't go away
And the road I'm on turns mucky
My feet splash in the mud, and hey,
My toes get wet and gucky
Yes everything just goes my way
I feel so gosh-darn lucky!
(The Grouch Choir joins in)
I'm sad, because I'm happy
And I'm happy, 'cause I'm mad
And I'm mad, 'cause it sounds sappy
To be happy when you're sad
Oscar: Everybody sing!
(sung in grand style)
I'm sad, because I'm happy
And I'm happy, 'cause I'm mad
And I'm mad, 'cause it sounds sappy
To be happy when you're sad
(spoken, with music still playing)
Oscar: Ah, I wish every day was like this!
Grungetta: Ah, me too, Oscie!
Oscar: Well, if wishes were garbage trucks, grouches would ride.
Grungetta: So true, so true!
Oscar: Let's just enjoy the moment. Yeah.
The Sesame Street song titled "I'm Sad Because I'm Happy" has an interesting message to convey, which can be interpreted from different perspectives. The song's main message is about how one feeling can have a ripple effect in their emotional state, leading them to feel opposite emotions towards a particular situation. The song outlines how when everything is going wrong, and they start yelling, "Go away", and they end up being alone. When things are in disarray, and everyone is away, the grouch must sing the song. This can be interpreted in the context of the character Oscar the Grouch, who is habitually unpleasant due to his residence in a garbage can. Still, he believes that he is singing the song because it is his coping mechanism.
The lyric, "I'm sad, because I'm happy, and I'm happy because I'm mad, and I'm mad because it sounds sappy to be happy when you're sad," is repeated several times throughout the song. It encapsulates the message of this song, highlighting the idea that emotions are fickle and can change quickly, causing feelings of elation, frustration, and sadness all at once. This line is suggesting that it's okay to experience multiple feelings at once and question your reactions when they seem counterintuitive.
Overall, the song is a fun and smart way of highlighting emotions in a playful and approachable way for children. It teaches them that it is ok to have different emotions and that it is how they react to them that counts. The reality is that this song's message is relevant to all ages, as everyone experiences the same type of emotions and how they react to them can affect their well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh there are days, when skies are grey
There are days when everything seems gloomy and depressing
And everything goes wrong
When every task, plan or action doesn't turn out the way it was meant to be
When I start yelling, Go away!
When I cannot take it anymore, I shout at everyone and ask them to leave me alone
And people say, So long!
When others get fed up with my behaviour and decide to leave me alone
When everything's in disarray
When everything is chaotic and disorganized
I'm right where I belong
I feel content and happy with the mess and chaos around me
When fun's away on holiday
When there is no fun, happiness or enjoyment in life
This grouch must sing this song
I (the grouch) have no choice but to express my emotions through this sad song
I'm sad, because I'm happy
I feel sad because I am happy and content with the chaos and mess around me
And I'm happy, 'cause I'm mad
At times, I feel happy because I am angry and all the frustration is finally getting out of me
And I'm mad, 'cause it sounds sappy
I get angry because the idea of feeling happy in sad or negative situations sounds too cheesy or fake
To be happy when you're sad
To feel happy or content in situations that are normally associated with sadness, depression or frustration
Yes there are days when skies are grey
As earlier stated, there are days when everything seems gloomy and depressing
And all the world looks yucky
When everything around me looks ugly, unpleasant and filthy
When clouds and rain won't go away
When there are endless problems and troubles that seem to never go away
And the road I'm on turns mucky
When the path I was on, becomes dirty and ugly
Everything just goes my way
When everything seems to work out in my favour, despite the negative feelings I might be experiencing
I feel so gosh-darn lucky!
I feel extremely fortunate, even in negative or gloomy circumstances
Contributed by Sophie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Megan
on Once Is Not Enough
I get it, it teaches kids you might not just have enough so you have to have more