The Happy Goth
The Divine Comedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Innocence all gone,
It must be wrong to hide your lovely face away.
That music you play, I'm not saying it's bad, it just seems terribly sad.
Is everything all right?
I'd like to think you'd tell me if something was wrong."
Well her clothes are blacker than the blackest cloth
She wears Dr. Martens and a heavy cross,
But on the inside she's a happy goth.
"Don't worry Mum, don't worry Dad.
The hours that I spend alone are the happiest I've ever had."
That's what she'd say if she ever spoke to you,
But it's something she can never do.
Cause it's only by herself that she'll find out
What makes her different from the rest.
Well her clothes are blacker than the blackest cloth
And her face is whiter than the snows of Hoth.
She wears Dr. Martens and a heavy cross,
But on the inside she's a happy goth.
The Divine Comedy's "The Happy Goth" is a song about a young woman who chooses to walk alone down a lonely road - a metaphor for the unconventional path she takes in life. The persona singing the song notes that while her clothes and makeup suggest sadness and darkness, her inner emotions belie her outward appearance. Despite her apparent melancholy, the persona notes that she is a happy goth. It is this paradox that sets her apart from the crowd, as she is not afraid to be who she truly is, even if it means being different.
The persona of the song states that the music she plays seems terribly sad, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. The sadness is not something that should be hidden away or ignored, but is a part of what makes her unique. The listener is encouraged to participate by reaching out if they feel that something is troubling her.
The chorus of the song affirms that the girl is a happy goth, even if this is not immediately obvious to those around her. She herself is content with the life she has chosen, even if it does not conform to conventional societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
The lonely road you choose to travel on, it must seem awfully long.
The path you have chosen to take seems to be a solitary one and must appear never-ending.
Innocence all gone,
The purity and naivety of youth have been lost.
It must be wrong to hide your lovely face away.
It is a shame to conceal your beauty from the world.
That music you play, I'm not saying it's bad, it just seems terribly sad.
The music you listen to is not necessarily of poor quality, but it possesses a distinctly melancholy tone.
Is everything all right?
I am concerned for your well-being and wish to know if anything is troubling you.
I'd like to think you'd tell me if something was wrong.
I hope that if you were experiencing any difficulties, you would confide in me.
Well her clothes are blacker than the blackest cloth
Her attire is entirely black
And her face is whiter than the snows of Hoth.
Her complexion is strikingly pale
She wears Dr. Martens and a heavy cross,
She dons Dr. Martens boots and a substantial crucifix
But on the inside she's a happy goth.
Despite her goth aesthetic, she enjoys life
Don't worry Mum, don't worry Dad.
Please do not fret parents.
The hours that I spend alone are the happiest I've ever had.
Unbeknownst to you, being alone brings great joy to me.
That's what she'd say if she ever spoke to you,
If given the opportunity to communicate with you, this is what she would express.
But it's something she can never do.
However, she will never have the chance to vocalize her feelings to you.
Cause it's only by herself that she'll find out
She can only truly discover
What makes her different from the rest.
What truly sets her apart from others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NEIL HANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind