Released as the second single from the album in July 1972, it reached number 22 in the US charts.
Happy
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It always burned a hole in my pants
Never made a school mama happy
Never blew a second chance, oh no
I need a love to keep me happy
I need a love to keep me happy
Baby, baby keep me happy
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss ev'ry night and day
I need a love to keep me happy
I need a love, baby won't ya keep me happy
Baby, won't ya keep me happy
Baby, please keep me
I need a love to keep me happy
I need a love to keep me happy
Baby, baby keep me happy
Baby
Never got a flash out of cocktails
When I got some flesh off the bone
Never got a lift out of Lear jets
When I can fly way back home
I need a love to keep me happy
I need a love to keep me happy
Baby, baby keep me happy
Baby, baby keep me happy
Baby
Happy, baby won't you keep me
Happy, baby won't you keep me
Happy, baby won't you keep me
Happy, baby won't you keep me
Happy, baby won't you keep me
Happy, oh, keep on, baby, keep me
Happy, now baby won't you squeeze me
Happy, oh, baby got to feel it
Happy, now, now, now, now, now keep me
Happy, my, my, my, keep me
Happy, keep on baby, keep me
Happy, keep on baby, got to
Happy, my, my, baby keep me happy
The Rolling Stones's "Happy" is a classic rock song that speaks about the singer's pursuit of happiness through love, instead of money or material possessions. The verses convey a sense of rebellion against societal norms and expectations. The opening lines highlight the singer's tendency to spend money as soon as he earned it, instead of saving it for the future, which is seen as a trait of recklessness and irresponsibility. The lyrics "Never made a school mama happy, Never blew a second chance" suggest that the singer was not a model student and may have failed to capitalize on opportunities that were presented to him.
However, the chorus of the song reveals that the singer acknowledges his need for love to keep him happy, above all else. The repetition of the line "I need a love to keep me happy" enforces this idea and forms the central theme of the song. The lines "Always took candy from strangers, Didn't wanna get me no trade, Never want to be like papa, Working for the boss ev'ry night and day" reinforce the idea that the singer refuses to follow in his father's footsteps by working his entire life for someone else. Instead, he is searching for his personal source of happiness.
The final verses of the song speak about the lack of satisfaction and fulfillment that the singer experienced through material possessions, despite the perceived glamour and luxury associated with them. The line "Never got a lift out of Lear jets, When I can fly way back home" paints a picture of a person who is more content with simplicity and having love in his life, rather than the extravagant lifestyle that fame and money can bring. Overall, the song has a rebellious yet romantic tone, as it speaks to the yearning for a meaningful connection in a world that often values superficiality.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I never kept a dollar past sunset
I never held onto money for too long, always spending it before the day was over.
It always burned a hole in my pants
The money always felt like it was literally burning a hole in my pocket.
Never made a school mama happy
I was never able to please any of my schoolteachers or make them happy with my performance.
Never blew a second chance, oh no
I never had the opportunity to redeem myself with a second chance at something; I always messed things up irreparably.
I need a love to keep me happy
I need someone special to provide me with love and happiness to fill the void in my life.
Baby, baby keep me happy
I am begging a significant other to be the source of the joy and contentment in my life that I am missing.
Always took candy from strangers
I used to engage in risky behavior or accept things from people without proper judgment or care.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
I was never interested in finding or working at a job or profession.
Never want to be like papa
I have no desire to work long hours for someone else like my father had to make ends meet.
Working for the boss ev'ry night and day
I refuse to waste my life working endlessly for someone else and having no ability to enjoy myself.
I need a love, baby won't ya keep me happy
I cannot stress enough how necessary it is for a significant other to provide me with love and happiness.
Never got a flash out of cocktails
I don't derive any excitement or pleasure from drinking or socializing at bars with fancy drinks.
When I got some flesh off the bone
I am satisfied when I have just enough to live on; I don't need extravagant luxuries or material possessions to feel fulfilled.
Never got a lift out of Lear jets
Traveling around in private jets has never brought me true happiness or satisfaction.
When I can fly way back home
My true happiness comes from being able to go back home to the people I love and care about.
Happy, baby won't you keep me
I need someone to make me happy and keep me that way indefinitely.
Happy, now baby won't you squeeze me
I need physical touch (like a hug or embrace) and affection from someone to sustain my happiness.
Happy, oh, baby got to feel it
I need genuine, authentic feelings of love from a significant other to make me truly happy.
Happy, now, now, now, now, now keep me
Please don't let me lose my happiness once I have finally found it.
Happy, my, my, my, keep me
I need someone to hold onto me and make sure that I am always happy in their presence.
Happy, keep on baby, keep me
Please continue to provide me with love and happiness to maintain my contentment and joy.
Happy, keep on baby, got to
I am pleading with someone to continue to love me and keep me happy for as long as possible.
Happy, my, my, baby keep me happy
My top priority is to have someone significant in my life who will always keep me happy and fulfilled.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Integrity Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dwaynewladyka577
Keith Richards shines on this amazing track. May Bobby Keys and Charlie Watts rest in peace. Cheers! ✌️
@imac727
Jimmy Miller on this one. A great drummer in his own right.
@joesephsizian9113
Keeeeef shines on every song
@DrumsNRoses
I don’t care what anyone says, I think the new album ROCKS!🔥
@petermills542
I think lots think so too !! 😂🎉
@alanlafromboise3156
I hear that, I'm a 68 yr young classic rock lover and although I'm not a real big Stones fan I do love this album and I also own it!
@DrumsNRoses
@@alanlafromboise3156 I own this album on a vinyl and I’m Gen Z lol
@ead630
For me Driving Me Too Hard is its best song -- an instant classic
@OnlyInLasVegas
Most give the new album rave reviews!!
@shanekeenan9131
This song always cheers me up when I'm down! The Stones are simply the best