Talent will out, they say, but sometimes the exit route is a long and winding road. For Shawn Lee, the journey began in Wichita, Kansas.
Shawn grew up in a rural area on the outskirts of the city. His mother is half Lebanese, half American Indian, his father Irish-American. While his peers got off on cheesy corporate rock and the kind of line-dancing tunes recently fashionable in Gap ads, Shawn was groovin' to the blaxploitation funk Sly and the Isleys. Later, his local Baptist Church widened his appreciation of black music, but when he sang in its gospel choir, he discovered some of his white 'friends' were racists who disapproved. "Fuck this," he thought. "I'm leaving the Mid-West" It was 1988.
Next stop Los Angeles. Already an able multi-instrumentalist (guitar,drums,bass,etc) Shawn now set about developing his songwriting. There were bands, publishing deals, relationships and day jobs: more notches on the bedpost of experience. This period also saw Shawn befriend the late Jeff Buckley, and somebody, somewhere has a tape of them jamming "Honky Tonk Woman" Be sure that Buckley would have recognized Shawn's talent.
In 1995, Shawn moved to London, where he recorded his solo debut. For all the wrong reasons, the album was never released. It was soul destroying; a bit like somebody erasing 3 years of your life." Resolving to write and record on his own terms, Shawn kept working. He passed CD's of songs to friends with no agenda other than "hope you enjoy it." As Shawn continued to do it his way, air play garnered by a self-financed EP prompted several major labels to phone him. He had no intention of re-boarding the corporate merry-go-round, though. Instead, he opted to sign a deal with Mark Jones at Wall of Sound. "The label's got real credibility," he says "and Mark was happy to put out a record which sounds exactly like I wanted it to." Subsequently Shawn became the flagship artist for the new Wall of Sound imprint, We Love You....
Which brings us to Monkey Boy, an inspired and beautifully crafted album which warrants your undivided attention. Like the best work by The Isley Brothers, it takes rock, soul, funk and folk textures, then fuses them with unquestionable panache. For afters, there's deft scratching, sumptuous bossa-nova and a dark waltz which evokes Burt Bacharach on downers. What's new pussycat? This is.
The bossa track is 'Happiness', all itch-scratching Latin percussion a la Sergio Mendez. Had Arthur Lee's Love formed in Rio rather than Los Angeles, they might have sounded like this. Further in, A&R Man of Love (yes, the title's ironic) was inspired by Vincent Gallo's fabulous soundtrack for Buffalo 66. You'll be pleased to know that as much as Shawn admires Gallo's many talents, he doesn't share his arrogance.
Shawn's album was self-produced, and although friends dropped by to add strings, double bass, brass and woodwind, Shawn's skills as a multi-instrumentalist hold court. You'll notice, too, that his voice is a marvel throughout; check out "Harmony In Falsetto" (a self-explanatory ballad), or his sweet-honey-in-the-rock delivery on "Floating" Class.
If Ian Brown is the king of the swingers, I'm a baboon's arse and Britney's Nina Simone..
It's time to swap bravado and pap for soul and a solid gold talent. Shawn Lee, aka Monkey Boy, is top banana....
http://www.facebook.com/amandshawnlee
http://www.shawnlee.net
Happiness
Shawn Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happiness don't pull the rug on
Happiness has begun
Happiness that's never undone
Take me and blow all my cares away
And I hope that this feeling stays
'Cos I'm loving your love each day
And I hope that the spring is near
'Cos I'm living the favourite year
Happiness is hard to get
Happiness is being wet
Happiness is a song
Happiness, it never lasts long
Happiness is the way
Happiness is being gay
Happiness is a song
Happiness never lasts long
Summer has gone and the winter's here
And I hope that the spring is near
Cause I'm living the favourite year
The song "Happiness" by Shawn Lee seemingly talks about the fleeting nature of joy and the elusiveness of happiness. It describes happiness as a "drug" that one can become addicted to, but just like with any drug, there's the risk of being left disoriented and unstable if it's taken away unexpectedly. The line "Happiness don't pull the rug on" further emphasizes this concept - that happiness can be yanked from under someone without warning. Despite the possibility of the happiness not lasting forever, the singer hopes that the feeling stays, as it's brought so much joy and relief to their life. They express gratitude and affection towards the person that brings them this happiness and hope that the spring is near as they're "living the favourite year," which could mean that they're going through a particularly happy period in their life.
However, the chorus of the song suggests that happiness is hard to attain and maintain. Being wet also seems to be metaphorical for feeling down, as it's difficult to be happy when you're physically uncomfortable. Happiness is likened to a song, something that can be enjoyed in the moment but has the tendency to end sooner than expected. The line "Happiness is a way/Happiness is being gay" could be interpreted as an allusion to the song from the musical "Bye Bye Birdie," as it shares a similar line ("Put On A Happy Face"). The word "gay" has obviously taken on a different meaning in contemporary society, but it's possible that the double entendre was intended by the songwriter. Overall, the song acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining joy in one's life but also highlights the importance of cherishing it while it lasts.
Line by Line Meaning
Happiness is a drug
Happiness can be addictive and give us a temporary high
Happiness don't pull the rug on
Happiness should not be taken away unexpectedly or suddenly
Happiness has begun
Happiness has started and can be felt
Happiness that's never undone
Once happiness is experienced, it cannot be taken away or undone
Take me and blow all my cares away
Let go of your worries and let happiness take over
And I hope that this feeling stays
The feeling of happiness is cherished and we hope it lasts
'Cos I'm loving your love each day
Feeling loved and in love brings happiness each day
Summer has gone and the winter's here
Time passes quickly and seasons change
And I hope that the spring is near
We hope for new beginnings and renewal of happiness
'Cos I'm living the favourite year
This is the best year so far and we are grateful for the happiness it brings
Happiness is hard to get
Achieving happiness is not always easy
Happiness is being wet
Happiness can also be found in small, simple things like getting wet in the rain
Happiness is a song
Happiness can be like music, bringing joy and harmony
Happiness, it never lasts long
Happiness can be fleeting and short-lived
Happiness is the way
Choosing to focus on happiness is an important part of life
Happiness is being gay
Being happy with oneself and embracing individuality brings happiness
Happiness never lasts long
Happiness as a feeling is temporary and does not stay forever
Contributed by Isaac H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@b1music
Everything Shawn touches turns to gold.
@aureliemillet3330
So Stevie . I love it
@zofiatrzeszczkowska6205
so catchy! love it for so many years !!!!!! <3 i just love all this pretty unknown great songs
@Tinkeroftime
Really love this song so much! I wish it was more widely known~
@elenam.7439
I Love this song! Sounds and lyrics are so sunny and cheerful.. always make my day!! <3
@MrRebig
Great song!
@ohfortheloveofbuddha
no words necessary...simply gorgeous in every way
@BoDeLo
Am and Shawn Lee Album go get it. Well produced and very melodic well worth a listen. Called Celestial Electric! :)
@SoMoe
i have to admit this is pretty good.it would sound a little better if there's a little more violin sound.not bad :) <3
@begindream007
refreshing sounds and image delight thank you!