If It Makes You Happy
Sheryl Crow Lyrics
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Put on a poncho and played for mosquitoes
And drank 'til I was thirsty again
We went searchin', through thrift store jungles
Found Geronimo's rifle, Marilyn's shampoo
And Benny Goodman's corset and pen
Well, okay, I made this up
I promised you I'd never give up
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
You get down, real low down
You listen to Coltrane, derail your own train
Well, who hasn't been there before?
I come 'round, around the hard way
Bring you comics in bed, scrape the mold off the bread
And serve you French toast again
Well, okay, I still get stoned
I'm not the kind of girl you'd take home
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
We've been far, far away from here
Put on a poncho and played for mosquitoes
And everywhere in between
Well, okay, we get along
So what if right now, everything's wrong?
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
In Sheryl Crow's song "If It Makes You Happy," she muses about the ups and downs of life and the importance of pursuing what brings us joy. The opening lyrics evoke a sense of adventure and a journey far away from the familiar, with Crow donning a poncho to fend off mosquitoes while playing music. She sings about getting lost in thrift store jungles and discovering unexpected treasures like Geronimo's rifle, Marilyn's shampoo, and Benny Goodman's corset and pen. It's a fanciful image, one that Crow admits is made up, but reflects a spirit of exploration and taking chances.
Throughout the song, Crow chronicles her ups and downs, admitting to getting stoned and offering to serve French toast again. She encourages others to find their happiness too, asking why, if something makes them happy, it can't be that bad. The chorus repeats this idea, challenging the notion that happiness should be fleeting or unreliable. Ultimately, Crow concludes that even when things are tough, she and her loved ones can get through it together, so long as they hold onto what brings them joy.
In essence, "If It Makes You Happy" is about seeking out the things that make life worth living and rejecting the notion that misery is a necessary or inevitable part of the human experience. Crow captures a sense of spontaneity, joy, and perseverance that resonates with listeners and encourages them to embrace their own sense of adventure and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I been long, a long way from here
I have been away from here for a long time.
Put on a poncho and played for mosquitoes
I have done things that have caused discomfort in order to pursue what I enjoy.
And drank 'til I was thirsty again
I have indulged in alcohol to the point of excess.
We went searchin', through thrift store jungles
We explored thrift stores in search of unique items.
Found Geronimo's rifle, Marilyn's shampoo
We discovered rare and interesting items such as a rifle owned by Geronimo and shampoo owned by Marilyn Monroe.
And Benny Goodman's corset and pen
We also found a corset and pen that belonged to Benny Goodman.
Well, okay, I made this up
I may have embellished parts of this story for effect.
I promised you I'd never give up
I made a promise to never give up on what I believe in.
If it makes you happy
If something brings you joy and fulfillment,
It can't be that bad
it cannot be all negative.
Then why the hell are you so sad?
Why are you feeling unhappy despite having something that makes you happy?
You get down, real low down
You feel really down and depressed.
You listen to Coltrane, derail your own train
You engage in self-destructive behavior as a way to cope.
Well, who hasn't been there before?
Who hasn't experienced difficult times?
I come 'round, around the hard way
I have learned from my mistakes and hardships.
Bring you comics in bed, scrape the mold off the bread
I show my love and care in practical ways.
And serve you French toast again
I repeat the things that bring you joy.
Well, okay, I still get stoned
I still engage in recreational drug use.
I'm not the kind of girl you'd take home
I'm not the type of person who conforms to societal norms.
We've been far, far away from here
We have traveled extensively and been far from home.
And everywhere in between
We have been to many different places in our travels.
Well, okay, we get along
We have a good relationship despite our differences.
So what if right now, everything's wrong?
Even if things are not going well at the moment, it doesn't mean we're not happy overall.
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Jeffrey Robert Trott, Sheryl Suzanne Crow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wanderbread4217
My mom used to blast this and scream the lyrics. i miss you everyday mom.
Edit: Thank you for all the likes and nice comments. She passed from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer 2014 at the age of 46. Always get breast exams. Do not feel uncomfortable to talk with loved ones about it. Getting checked annually can prevent the loss of life.
@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q
Lyrics:
I've been long
A long way from here
Put on a poncho, played for mosquitoes
And drank 'til I was thirsty again
We went searchin'
Through thrift store jungles
Found Geronimo's rifle, Marilyn's shampoo
And Benny Goodman's corset and pen
Well, okay, I made this up
I promised you I'd never give up
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
We get down
A real low down
You listen to Coltrane, derail your own train
Well, who hasn't been there before?
I come proud
Around the hard way
Bring you comics in bed, scrape the mold off the bread
And serve you French toast again
Well, okay, I still get stoned
I'm not the kind of girl you'd take home
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
We've been far
Far away from here
Put on a poncho, played for mosquitoes
And everywhere in between
Well, okay, we get along
So what if right now everything's wrong?
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?
@dansantos5675
Who's listening this 2024???
@SaraSantos-jr2lp
La estoy escuchando 😊😊😊 y que casualidad mi apellido tambien es Santos 🤯🤯🤯 saludos
@victorbradshaw7359
Been listening to it forever
@Christina-yt5py
Me!!!
@Recneps27
This song hit me like a ton of bricks when I first heard it in the 90s, just as I was beginning to see my life for what it was. I was 26 and basically trying to make others happy at my own expense.
Hearing Sheryl belt out the chorus of this song was like an awakening, it brought to the surface everything I had suspected about my life. That was one of the catalysts for change over the next decade.
I will never grow tired of this song.
@jadenkrosis3087
@@SaraSantos-jr2lp not me, NOPE!
Ok I`m busted lol.
@arielalopes3262
Here after watching Crossroads to remember this classic. ❤
@daniBuenosAires
Igual
@robinr22
Me too!
@sav3785
Same