Essentially Sunnyboys wore their influences on their sleeve - The Remains, The Flamin' Groovies, The Kinks and The Beatles with a dash of Detroit muscle thrown in for good measure. They produced melodic power pop classics and were rewarded with an immediate positive response.
Between 1980 and 1984 they released their self-titled EP (1980) and 3 albums: "Sunnyboys" (1981), "Individuals" (1982) and "Get Some Fun" (1984).
However, Jeremy Oxley's battle with schizophrenia plagued the band and Sunnyboys announced their break-up in June 1984. Their farewell tour produced the album "Real Live" which was recorded over two nights in Sydney (29th and 30th June).
In 1985, the French label Closer combined The Sunnyboys' first two albums as a double set entitled "Days Are Gone" for the European market.
In late 1987, Jeremy Oxley attempted to revive Sunnyboys with a new line-up. The new band signed a deal with RCA and released an album entitled "Wildcat" (produced by ex-Sherbet keyboard player, Garth Porter). The album failed to convince old Sunnyboys fans and the band broke up again in 1990.
In July 1991, Mushroom released the compilation album "Plays The Best" and the original line-up reunited for a national tour.
Also "Shakin' - Live 1991" (1993, live cd + "Sunnyboys" EP) has been released by Phantom and "This Is Real" (2004, double-CD, Singles/Live/Rare) by Feel Presents.
The band:
Jeremy Oxley - Guitar, vocals
Peter Oxley - Bass
Richard Burgman - Guitar
Bill Bilson - Drums
For more info see the band's MySpace profile and this.
Happy Man
Sunnyboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The whole damn thing is coming down on me
Gotta straighten out, find an answer to my prayer, oh yeah
Well everything looks so grand
From the position I stand, yeah
Stop that sound can't you leave me alone try to understand me now
I've gotta hang up
I can't communicate
But I'm a happy man
Memories of you tearing me apart
I think I'm swimming in a sea of doubt now, yeah
I get so uptight I keep on telephoning up now, well alright
I've gotta hang up
I can't communicate
I've gotta hang up
But I'm a happy man
I've gotta hang up
I can't communicate now
I've gotta hang up
But I'm a happy man
But I'm a happy man
But I'm a happy man
But I'm a happy man now
But I'm a happy man
The Sunnyboys’ song Happy Man is a catchy tune with an underlying theme of anxiety and desperation. The lyrics describe the persona sitting alone in their room, feeling overwhelmed by life and needing to find an answer to their prayers. From the position they stand, everything appears grand but the anxiety inside is too much to bear. The chorus represents the persona’s inability to communicate and overwhelming feeling of confusion, perhaps due to the memories of someone who has caused them pain. However, despite these feelings, the repetition of “But I’m a happy man” at the end of each stanza suggest that the persona is trying to convince themselves that they are happy, even though their actions and words suggest otherwise.
The lyrics of the Sunnyboys’ Happy Man seem to be a reflection of the Australian music scene in the 1980s, where the notion of “keeping calm and carrying on” was prevalent. Despite the emotions of anxiety and distress that the persona is displaying in the lyrics, the upbeat and cheerful music that accompanies the song suggests that everything is okay. The song is a perfect example of how music can convey different emotions and messages when the lyrics and the music are in contrast.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here in my room
Starting the song in his room, expressing his current state of mind
The whole damn thing is coming down on me
Feeling overwhelmed and burdened by the situation he's in
Gotta straighten out, find an answer to my prayer, oh yeah
Deciding to find a solution to his problems and seeking guidance
Well everything looks so grand
Feeling like everything seems fine on the surface
From the position I stand, yeah
Realizing that his perspective might not be entirely accurate
Stop that sound can't you leave me alone try to understand me now
Asking for peace and understanding from those around him
I've gotta hang up
Breaking off communication
I can't communicate
Not being able to express himself properly
Memories of you tearing me apart
Reflecting on past experiences that have hurt him
I think I'm swimming in a sea of doubt now, yeah
Feeling lost and unsure about his current situation
I get so uptight I keep on telephoning up now, well alright
Becoming anxious and repeatedly calling for help
But I'm a happy man
Despite his difficulties, feeling content with himself and his life
But I'm a happy man
Reinforcing his inner state of happiness
But I'm a happy man
Emphasizing that happiness is his true state of being
But I'm a happy man now
Concluding the song with his current, positive state of mind
Writer(s): Jeremy Saxon Oxley
Contributed by Leah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@9jerrymane11
Sitting here in my room
The whole damn thing is coming down on me
Gotta straighten out, find an answer to my prayer, oh yeah
Well everything looks so grand
From the position I stand, yeah
Stop that sound can't you leave me alone try to understand me now
I've gotta hang up
I can't communicate
I've gotta hang up
But I'm a happy man
Memories of you tearing me apart
I think I'm swimming in a sea of doubt now, yeah
I get so uptight I keep on telephoning up now, well alright
I have gotta hang up
I can't communicate
I have gotta hang up
But I'm a happy man
@martinhim5585
How I loved this album, I can’t imagine how many times I sat on the floor of my bedroom and played this over and over, and yes I’m a happy man.
@mattjohn66
I love this. I remember the Sunny Boys from my youth and it still sounds bloody good.
@guybertschinger6076
Glad to see recent comments, you guys inspire me and know that my teenage boys are at this time discovering the cream of raw Australian genius, thank you !
@colinwardrop847
Raw Australian genius is right. So well said. Should be 1000's more views than this.
@fingerprint5511
THAT gives me hope, actual music, well done you!
@mindrolling24
Great band! Was nuts about them when I was a teen and still listening to them 40 years later.
@metalharts
i love that we’re in an era where you can search up music from almost any time period!
@simonainscough619
it was better when you could go out and see bands like this at your local for a few dollars biggest issue then was to many great bands not enough time oh gee what a hassle made me a happy man though
@airlockstudios
this band is the reason I play music!
@carolineseymour5390
I’ve listened to these guys since I was about 13-14 years old and I’m now 52 😆😁