Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
I Want to Be Happy
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet's song "I Want to Be Happy" is a heartfelt expression of the singer's desire to bring happiness to others. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer describing himself as an ordinary man trying to figure out how to live a happy life. He espouses the principle of treating others as he would like to be treated, saying that he feels better when he helps a lonely soul.
The chorus reveals the singer's ultimate aim: he wants to be happy, but he knows he can't be truly happy unless he can make others happy as well. He believes that life is worth living when we bring joy to others, and he asks why he can't do the same for the person he's addressing.
The final verse drives home the singer's point, promising to bring sunshine to the person's life even on a gray day. He repeats the chorus one more time, emphasizing that his own happiness is tied to the happiness of those around him.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder that true happiness comes not from selfish pursuits but from selfless acts of kindness and generosity towards others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a very ordinary man
I'm a simple person
Trying to work out life's happy plan
Trying to find a way to be happy in life
Doing unto others as I'd like to have them doing unto me
Treat others how you want to be treated
When I find a very lonely soul
When I come across someone who is alone
Soon be-kinda-comes my only goal
They become my main objective
I feel so much better when I tell them my philosophy
I feel happier when I share my beliefs with them
I want to be happy
I desire happiness
But I won't be happy
I can't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Until I can make you happy as well
Life's really worth living
Life is valuable
When we are mirth giving
When we are giving joy
Why can't I give some to you
Why can't I give joy to you
When skies are gray and you say you are blue
When you are feeling sad and hopeless
I'll send the sun smiling through
I'll try to cheer you up
Till I make you happy too.
Until I can make you happy as well
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind