Teenage Fanclub are an indie rock / power pop band from Bellshill, Scotland… Read Full Bio ↴Teenage Fanclub are an indie rock / power pop band from Bellshill, Scotland near Glasgow, formed in 1989 and formerly known as the Boy Hairdressers. They have two generally known humorous nicknames: "The Fannies" and "The Bellshill Beach Boys". They're revered for their devotion to chiming, The Byrds-esque guitars and harmonic vocals. The band is perhaps best known for the 1991 masterpiece 'Bandwagonesque', which presaged the later Britpop and indie pop movements, and, in 2006, Teenage Fanclub held two special concerts in London and Glasgow playing said album in its entirety. Songwriting duties are shared between the three permanent members of the band: Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley, and Gerard Love.

'A Catholic Education' was their debut album, released in 1990. The album received positive reviews from English music journalists and critics. In contrast to the group's later work, the album has a very dark, abrasive, and cynical tone and incorporated a grunge and heavy metal influenced sound. As well, the album's two title tracks are direct attacks on the Catholic Church, which are unique for an otherwise apolitical band. The opening track, "Everything Flows", is a mellow powerpop-influenced song (unlike the rest of the album) that provides a sort of blueprint for their later work.

"Everything Flows" was later included in the compilation albums 'Deep Fried Fanclub' and 'Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Seconds – A Short Cut to Teenage Fanclub'. Those were released in 1995 and 2003, respectively. Teenage Fanclub's second album, 1991's 'The King', went for a shambolic, alternative rock edge that left many fans and critics cold, though the release also had strong defenders. It took their third album to kick things into high gear.

'Bandwagonesque', released in November 1991 on Creation Records, became famous by beating Nirvana's landmark album 'Nevermind' to be voted "album of the year" by popular American music magazine Spin. It also gave the band substantial U.S. success when the single "Star Sign" reached #4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, becoming their biggest hit in that country. "What You Do to Me" and "The Concept" were also Top 20 hits on that chart. Fans greatly enjoyed the melodic yet melancholy feel of the album.

Although later works have led the group through various highs and lows throughout the 90s and 00s, they're still going strong as of 2014. Tours have been widely successful. Their latest album, 'Shadows', was their ninth studio release. They made it available on 31 May 2010 on the band's own PeMa label in Europe and on Merge Records in North America, the group promoting the single "Baby Lee". Said track shows the band still in touch with the chiming, emotional sounds of their 90s heyday.

There have been a succession of drummers, including:
- Francis MacDonald (a prime-mover in the C86 scene, later of the BMX Bandits), the drummer in the original lineup, and in a later period
- Brendan O’Hare (later of Telstar Ponies, Thrapple , Mogwai and Macrocosmica)

and

- Paul Quinn (later of The Primary 5), who was later replaced by the returning Francis MacDonald.

Keyboardist Finlay MacDonald (no relation to Francis MacDonald) has also been a member.

happiness
Teenage Fanclub Lyrics

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Don't know what I want to do
My laziness will see me through
Happiness is all I need
The truth is never guaranteed

I'll let my state of mind content me
'Til I know where my life has sent me to

All day long is long enough
To fill my head with useless stuff
Wisdom sometimes comes my way
Stolen from the words you say

I'll let my state of mind content me
'Til I know where my life has sent me to

My life feels so worthwhile
When I go where you send me
When I can't find a smile
You've got one to lend me [Repeat: x 2]

What I don't see will sometimes find me
The truth is not what love will blind me to

My life feels so worthwhile
When I go where you send me
When I can't find a smile
You've got one to lend me
My life feels so worthwhile
When I go where you send me

When I can't find a smile
You've got one to lend me [Repeat: x 2]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Happiness" by Teenage Fanclub reveal a contemplative attitude towards life and the pursuit of happiness. The first verse seems to suggest a lack of direction and a tendency towards laziness, with the singer admitting to not knowing what they want to do and relying on their state of mind to content them. However, they also acknowledge that happiness is all they need, even if the truth is never guaranteed. The second verse continues along the themes of aimlessness and information overload, with the singer admitting to filling their head with useless stuff. But they also suggest that wisdom can be found in the words of others, stolen and appropriated for their own use.

The chorus of the song is perhaps the most optimistic and expressive part, with the singer acknowledging that their life feels worthwhile when they go where someone else sends them (presumably a loved one or friend). They also suggest that when they can't find a smile, this person has one to lend them, implying a sense of generosity and support. The last verse seems to suggest that sometimes the truth (perhaps in love) can be obscured or hidden, but what the singer does not see may still find them. Overall, the lyrics of "Happiness" are introspective and self-aware, grappling with the challenges of finding meaning and happiness in an uncertain world.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't know what I want to do
I am unsure of my purpose and what path I should take in life.

My laziness will see me through
I rely on my lack of motivation to get by and avoid making difficult decisions.

Happiness is all I need
I believe that contentment is the sole requirement for a fulfilling life.

The truth is never guaranteed
The facts and reality of any situation are uncertain and unpredictable.

I'll let my state of mind content me
I will allow my current emotional state to dictate my happiness until I determine my purpose.

'Til I know where my life has sent me to
Until I discover my purpose and direction in life, I will remain content with my current state of mind.

All day long is long enough
I have plenty of time to consume useless information and waste my day.

To fill my head with useless stuff
I occupy my mind with trivial, unimportant information that serves no real purpose or benefit.

Wisdom sometimes comes my way
Occasionally I gain insight and knowledge from the words and experiences of others.

Stolen from the words you say
I frequently learn from and adopt the ideas and philosophies of those around me.

My life feels so worthwhile
When I am fulfilling my purpose and working towards my goals, life feels meaningful and valuable.

When I go where you send me
When I trust and follow the guidance of someone I admire, I am fulfilled and content.

When I can't find a smile
During times of sadness or uncertainty, I struggle to find joy and peace.

You've got one to lend me
Those I love and respect are able to offer me comfort and happiness during tough times.

What I don't see will sometimes find me
Unexpected opportunities and experiences can arise when I am not actively searching for them.

The truth is not what love will blind me to
Even when I am infatuated with someone or something, I will not ignore or overlook the truth of the situation.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RAYMOND MCGINLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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