The band's second album, ...Somewhere More Familiar was released in 1997 and sold approximately 30,000 copies through its initial pressing, prompting Universal Records to sign the band. Universal re-released ...Somewhere More Familiar in late 1997. A single from the album, "All For You" hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the band's most successful single.
The band's third album Fortress was released in 2000 by Universal. The band worked with producers Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Heart), Richie Zito (Cheap Trick), and Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down). The album featured minor pop hits "Champagne High" and "Change Your Mind."
In 2003, after the band split from Universal, it released its fourth studio album, Chasing Daylight, on the Sixthman label and toured throughout the year to promote the album. The band's internet presence emerged during this time period, and hardcore fans dubbing themselves "Hazelnuts" studied setlists, shared bootleg concert recordings, and initiated a promotion scheme with the band through their official website. 2003 also saw the simultaneous release of Live*LIVE, a two-disc live album, and A Life in the Day, a live DVD.
In 2004, Sister Hazel released its next studio album Lift. Songs from Lift were re-recorded for 2005's Lift: Acoustic Renditions, an EP of studio acoustic takes on five of the songs, offered exclusively through Apple's iTunes Store. In July 2005, the Sister Hazel album was re-issued again by Sixthman, in response to claims that the album had become difficult to find in stores.
Sister Hazel then promoted its album, Absolutely, which was released on October 10, 2006. The band also continued to tour and hold annual fan gathering events, The Rock Boat and The Rock Slope. Absolutely is the band's highest charting album on the Billboard charts following Fortress and it received 4 out of a possible 5 stars from Allmusic, a tie with Fortress's score.
On June 5, 2007, Sister Hazel released a "hybrid" album entitled BAM! Volume 1. It contains B-sides from the Absolutely recording sessions and some from previous albums.
Sister Hazel also released a holiday album called Santa's Playlist on September 25, 2007.
On February 9, 2008, Sister Hazel performed a live concert at Daytona International Speedway for the Budweiser Shootout.
Sister Hazel released a live acoustic album on June 17, 2008 entitled Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic on Croakin' Poets/Rock Ridge Music. The record features sixteen tracks, including the band's hits, fan favorites, and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format. The album was recorded on January 12 at Nickel & Dime Studios in Atlanta (other bands who have recorded there in the past include Indigo Girls, The B-52's, Shawn Mullins) in front of 100 lucky fans who were chosen at random from more than five thousand entries.
At the July 18, 2008 concert at Wolf Trap Farm Park, drummer Mark Trojanowski took paternity leave for his newborn child. Former Vertical Horizon and current Doobie Brothers drummer Ed Toth played in his place.
On July 9, 2009 Ford Motor Company announced a collaboration with Sister Hazel to promote the company's new Sync Technology, which is available on a number of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The band has been chosen to be the face of the company's "Sync My Ride" website.
The band released its seventh studio album of original songs (tenth album overall) on August 18, 2009. The album, entitled "Release", contains 12 tracks and is on the Rock Ridge Music label. On the day of release, "Release" was the number one album on iTunes.
On October 12th, 2010, Sister Hazel released their 8th studio album, "Heartland Highway", which is unique among SH albums in that all band members wrote at least one song that appears on the album.
Sister Hazel Williams was an African-American woman who ran Sister Hazel's Rescue Mission in Gainesville, FL. during the 1970s and early '80s. This facility gave those who were down on their luck a safe place to stay warm, eat and regroup, regardless of age, race or beliefs. It is in this spirit of unconditional concern for all beings that the band chose to use her name.
The band has had music featured in several movies and soundtracks including Major League: Back to the Minors, The Wedding Planner, Clay Pigeons, Bedazzled, American Wedding, and 10 Things I Hate About You. Sister Hazel also appear on the Fleetwood Mac tribute album, Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours with their cover version of "Gold Dust Woman". In 1999, they recorded a cover of "September Gurls" for the Big Star tribute album, Big Star, Small World. However, the track was not included when the album was released in 2006. The song "Where Do You Go" was featured on Scrubs (Season 6, Episode 4, "My House").
Band members
Ken Block - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Jett Beres - bass, harmony vocals
Andrew Copeland - rhythm guitar, vocals
Ryan Newell - lead and slide guitar, harmony vocals
Mark Trojanowski - drums
Happy
Sister Hazel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somewhere More Familiar (1997)
Happy
I remember watchin'
All the once upon a times
Remember thinkin'
Who's content and who's for rent
Oh No--No--No!
But then he cracks that smile
And that don't look so bad to me.....
Happy--I'm Happy
But that ain't good enough for you
Happy--I'm Happy.....
I remember thinkin'
How they thought that we should be
Remember feelin'
That might be you but that ain't me
And you said don't you want to be like that man!?
Oh No--No--No!
But then he cracks a smile
And that don't look so bad to me.....
(Chorus-Chorus)
The suns that rise
A young girls sighs
A baby cries
An old mans eyes
(Repeat)
I remember watchin'
All the once upon a times
Remember thinkin'
Who's content and who's for rent
And you said don't you want to be like that man!?
Oh No--No--No!
Then he cracks that smile
And that don't look so bad to me.....
(Chorus-Chorus)
The lyrics of "Happy" by Sister Hazel are reflective in nature, and discuss the nature of happiness and contentment. The singer begins by reminiscing about watching fairy tales and thinking about who is genuinely happy and who is putting on an act. He recalls when someone asked him if he wants to be like the man on the screen, to which he responds with a resounding no. But when the man smiles, suddenly things don't seem so bad. The chorus repeats the sentiment of being happy, but feeling as though it's not enough for someone else.
The next stanza explores the idea of societal expectations and how they can conflict with individual desires for happiness. The singer again remembers feeling like he needed to be a certain way, to conform to what was expected of him. But when he sees someone who is more genuine, he realizes that he would rather be true to himself than try to be someone else. The chorus repeats once more, with the same sentiment of feeling happy yet not meeting the expectations of someone else. The final stanza is a collection of similar observations, noting the small moments in life that often get taken for granted but can bring immense joy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Happy" delve into the complexities of happiness and contentment, exploring the difference between what others expect of us and what we truly desire for ourselves. It's a relatable message that resonates with listeners and encourages them to pursue their own paths to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember watchin', all the once upon a times
I recall observing others who seemed to be happily living their happily ever afters.
Remember thinkin', who's content and who's for rent
I thought about who was genuinely satisfied with their lives and who was faking it to please others.
And you said don't you want to be like that man?! Oh No--No--No!
You asked if I wanted to be like someone who appeared to have it all, but my answer was a resounding no.
But then he cracks that smile, and that don't look so bad to me.....
But when he smiles, I realize that maybe his life isn't so perfect either, and that it's okay to find happiness in imperfection.
Happy--I'm Happy, But that ain't good enough for you, Happy--I'm Happy.....
I am content and happy with my life, but you don't seem satisfied with my version of happiness.
I remember thinking, how they thought that we should be, Remember feeling, that might be you but that ain't me
I thought about how others expected us to act and feel, but I know that those expectations don't fit who I am as a person.
The suns that rise, A young girls sighs, A baby cries, An old mans eyes (Repeat)
Happiness can be found in everyday moments, like watching the sunrise, hearing a young girl's hopeful sigh, comforting a crying baby, or seeing a lifetime of wisdom in an old man's eyes.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: ANDREW COPELAND, JEFF BERES, KEN BLOCK, MARK E. TROJANOWSKI, RYAN CARTER NEWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tHe bLaCk DiLeMMa
Happy
Sister Hazel
I remember watchin'
All the once upon a times
Remember thinkin'
Who's content and who's for rent
And you said don't you want to be like that man!?
Oh No No No!
But then he cracks that smile
And that don't look so bad to me.....
Happy I'm Happy
But that ain't good enough for you
Happy I'm Happy...
I remember thinkin'
How they thought that we should be
Remember feelin'
That might be you but that ain't me
And you said don't you want to be like that man!?
Oh No--No--No!
But then he cracks a smile
And that don't look so bad to me.....
Happy I'm Happy
But that ain't good enough for you
Happy I'm Happy...
Happy I'm Happy
But that ain't good enough for you
Happy I'm Happy...
The suns that rise
A young girls sighs
A baby cries
An old mans eyes
Happy I'm Happy
But that ain't good enough for you
Happy I'm Happy...
I remember watchin'
All the once upon a times
Remember thinkin'
Who's content and who's for rent
And you said don't you want to be like that man!?
Oh No--No--No!
Then he cracks that smile
And that don't look so bad to me.....
Happy I'm Happy
But that ain't good enough for you
Happy I'm Happy...
chabrastamepues
What a great band! One of the many solid, kick-back bands from the 90's. Sister Hazel, Hootie and the Blowfish, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, and others all made great music that music fans from ANY era can enjoy!
Amanda Madrigal
Yes I even got my kids into this music. I educated them well in music 😊
Christopher Wahl
@Amanda Madrigal Real Good..on your part to do this.🧡
Amanda Madrigal
@Christopher Wahl my youngest daughter said her music is sucky compared to the older music lol.
Tony Dillon
Still one of my favorite songs and a really cool video as well! Ken's raspy crooning blends seamlessly with Ryan's rich vocals. This band has never fully been given the credit due to them, yet they have successfully flown under the radar and continue to achieve and amaze... Yes, I am definitely a Hazelnut!
Tony Dillon
My favorite SH song... Should have been a big hit! Still hoping to catch a show someday soon! Grossly underrated band! And this is one of the coolest conceptual videos I have ever seen!
Nickolas Moreland
Sister Hazel is timeless, and one of a kind. No one from the 90's compare to them. No one.
Cullen Brown Music
third eye blind, counting crows and blues travler do
Michele Phillips
Still a freaking classic!
Michael Fontana
Just saw them live. GREAT show