I Want To Be Happy
Sonny Stitt Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a very ordinary man
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
I want to be happy
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 gray 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 gray 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.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sonny Stitt Bud Powell & J.J. Johnson's song "I Want to be Happy" express a desire for happiness, not just for oneself, but for others as well. The singer acknowledges their "ordinary" status, but still seeks to find "life's happy plan." To do this, the singer believes in treating others kindly and helping those who are lonely to find companionship. By following their philosophy, the singer feels better about themselves and their place in the world.


The chorus of the song repeats the desire for happiness, but adds the caveat that the singer won't be truly happy until they make someone else happy too. The singer believes that life is most fulfilling when we are able to bring joy to others. When someone they care about is feeling sad, they want to be able to bring them happiness, like sending the sun smiling through on a gray day.


Overall, the song expresses a belief that happiness is not just an individual pursuit, but something that should be shared with others. By helping others find happiness, the singer hopes to find it themselves, creating a cycle of joy that benefits everyone.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a very ordinary man
I am a regular and common individual


Trying to work out life's happy plan
I am attempting to figure out the ideal way to lead a happy life


Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
I treat others as I would like to be treated myself


When I find a very lonely soul
If I come across someone who is feeling alone and isolated


Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
Helping that person becomes my main objective


I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
Sharing my beliefs with them brings me great satisfaction and contentment


I want to be happy
My own happiness is important to me


But I won't be happy
However, I cannot be fully content


Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can also make you happy as well.


Life's really worth living
The essence of existence is truly valuable


When we are mirth giving
During moments of joy-sharing


Why can't I give some to you
I do not understand why I cannot share my happiness with you


When skies are gray and you say you are blue
When your mood is low and you feel unhappy


I'll send the sun smiling through
I will try to lift your spirits and bring joy back into your life


But I won't be happy
Still, my own happiness cannot be complete


Till I make you happy too.
Until I manage to make you feel happy as well.


When skies are gray and you say you are blue
Once again, when you feel unhappy and dejected


I'll send the sun smiling through
My goal is to bring joy into your life, to make you feel better


But I won't be happy
However, my happiness cannot be complete


Till I make you happy too.
Unless I can bring happiness to you as well.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

John High/Jazz Channel

Stitt had his own sound!!! I would'nt compare him with Bird. If you are really listening, you will hear Stitt's identity. Listen to his elongated ideas, phrasing and articulation. He was very unique and fantastic!

Gary Claytor

Absolute genius! My favorite sax player and that includes all before and after.

BNforever2009

all i can say is i could never do what Stitt did on the alto and tenor. That guy is exellent and he is jazz history. I know Cannonball coulld align himself right there with him and both could make the bomb explode!

2fast

Sonny Stitt was the only musician of his time to rival Charlie Parker in speed, precision, and technical ability.

Lawrence Muller

Plus he played both alto and tenor sexophones.

Matias Alucema

@Lawrence Muller Parker also played tenor.

fsubilly

Good gracious...the precision and speed...spot-on, every note. Unreal!

caponsacchi

No saxophonist should try to go very far before listening to Sonny Stitt--not that he's the most original or innovative, but the logic of his melodic constructions, the cleanness of his tone and attack, his impeccable technique are a textbook of how to play the saxophone--tenor or alto. I love hearing him opposite Rollins on that Diz date, "Sonny Side Up." And Roberta Gambarini has memorized the solos of all 3, singing them back perfectly, in the proper register of each instrument.

Ulf Nordin

Is stars available? 6 out of five. Incredible. Music never gets better. +60 years and it still is more than okay.

exjazzbass baz

ON ANY SAX STITT WAS ONE OF THE GREATS

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