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Can't Be Happy All The Time
Tones And I Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I fall asleep now
I think of all the paths I've taken
That lead me back to here
And I wonder
Is life at its peak now?
Is it stuck in first gear?
When will it all disappear?

And time keeps passin' by
But I'm too busy to reply
And as I close my eyes
I say that I won't go tonight
I'm lookin' for a sign
My only friends have been online
And as I close my eyes
I tell myself I'm fine

And I don't wanna cry
But now it's hard to breathe
And now everybody's standin' here
But no one seems to know me
And I'm alright
Tomorrow I'll be fine
'Cause you can't be happy
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time

As I walk through the streets now
I realize I don't know where I'm goin'
I don't know why I'm here
And if I live just to please without showin'
Do I lose myself here?
Am I living by fear?

And time keeps passin' by
But I'm too busy to reply
And as I close my eyes
I say that I won't go tonight
I'm lookin' for a sign
My only friends have been online
And as I close my eyes
I tell myself I'm fine

And I don't wanna cry
But now it's hard to breathe
And now everybody's standin' here
But no one seems to know me
And I'm alright
Tomorrow I'll be fine
'Cause you can't be happy
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tones and I's "Can't Be Happy All The Time" touch upon the themes of existential uncertainty and the pressures of trying to achieve a constant state of happiness. The singer, as they fall asleep, reflects on the paths that led them to where they are now and wonders if this is as good as it gets. They question if life is stuck in first gear and when it will all disappear. These questions suggest a sense of dissatisfaction or disconnection with their current reality.


The song then explores the idea that the singer is living without direction or purpose, feeling lost in the streets without knowing where they are going or why they are even here. They contemplate whether they are living by fear, implying that they are making decisions based on avoiding risk or discomfort.


Throughout the song, the singer seems to be struggling with their mental health, expressing that they are too busy to reply to the passing of time and that their only friends have been online. This further emphasizes feelings of loneliness and disconnection from the people around them. In the chorus, the singer acknowledges that it's unrealistic to expect to be happy all the time and that it's okay to be not alright sometimes.


In essence, "Can't Be Happy All The Time" is a song about navigating the complex emotions that come with being alive. It acknowledges the importance of allowing oneself to feel all of the emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, and the idea that happiness isn't a constant state of being.


Line by Line Meaning

As I fall asleep now
As I drift off to sleep at night


I think of all the paths I've taken
I reflect on all the choices I've made in life


That lead me back to here
That have brought me to my present moment


And I wonder
And I contemplate


Is life at its peak now?
Am I experiencing the best part of life?


Is it stuck in first gear?
Is life stagnant and not progressing?


When will it all disappear?
When will everything in life come to an end?


And time keeps passin' by
And time continues to move forward


But I'm too busy to reply
But I am too caught up in my hectic life to respond


And as I close my eyes
And as I drift off to sleep


I say that I won't go tonight
I promise myself that I won't give up tonight


I'm lookin' for a sign
I am searching for a signal or a message


My only friends have been online
The only people I connect with are online


And I tell myself I'm fine
And I convince myself that I am doing okay


And I don't wanna cry
And I don't want to shed tears


But now it's hard to breathe
But now it's difficult to catch my breath


And now everybody's standin' here
And now everyone is present and accounted for


But no one seems to know me
But no one truly understands or knows me


And I'm alright
And I am doing okay


Tomorrow I'll be fine
Tomorrow I will be okay


'Cause you can't be happy
Because it is impossible to always be happy


You can't be happy all the time
You cannot feel happy 24/7


You can't be happy all the time
You cannot feel happy all the time


You can't be happy all the time
It is impossible to feel happy constantly


As I walk through the streets now
As I make my way through the city


I realize I don't know where I'm goin'
I come to understand that I don't have a clear path


I don't know why I'm here
I don't know the purpose of my existence


And if I live just to please without showin'
And if I only aim to please others without revealing my true self


Do I lose myself here?
Do I sacrifice my own identity in the process?


Am I living by fear?
Am I making decisions out of fear?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Toni Watson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@alyssacoulter4361

I use to write and sing on the streets of Sydney had to leave it for work...
I wish I was as brave as u.
I just want to help other ppl .
Like it helping me.
I feel like why am I here?? I thought went through all the crap so I could write the lyrics that needed to be heard but now I'm just an ant following what I am being told.
Just thank u.
If u read this .
Thank ....
U alot.
And I mean that.



@a.k.m7771

Lyrics....

As I fall asleep now
I think of all the paths I've taken
That lead me back to here
And I wonder
Is life at its peak now?
Is it stuck in first gear?
When will it all disappear?

And time keeps passin' by
But I'm too busy to reply
And as I close my eyes
I say that I won't go tonight
I'm lookin' for a sign
My only friends have been online
And as I close my eyes
I tell myself I'm fine

And I don't wanna cry
But now it's hard to breathe
And now everybody's standin' here
But no one seems to know me
And I'm alright
Tomorrow I'll be fine
'Cause you can't be happy
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time

As I walk through the streets now
I realize I don't know where I'm goin'
I don't know why I'm here
And if I live just to please without showin'
Do I lose myself here?
Am I living by fear?

And time keeps passin' by
But I'm too busy to reply
And as I close my eyes
I say that I won't go tonight
I'm lookin' for a sign
My only friends have been online
And as I close my eyes
I tell myself I'm fine

And I don't wanna cry
But now it's hard to breathe
And now everybody's standin' here
But no one seems to know me
And I'm alright
Tomorrow I'll be fine
'Cause you can't be happy
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time
You can't be happy all the time



@dinacrow7164

As a Mom of 12, 7 lived...!
You are blessed lil sister!!
Very proud of you!! Please, don't lose the you..
FATHER placed here n now!
Blessings 🙏
You have been given a gift, I wanted, yet He knows what HE wants..
And
Directs..

I trust Him
And struggle with...
All



All comments from YouTube:

@Twirlydoughnut

She is so raw.. She's found the fame and now she is scared of losing herself, losing her online friends. Fame doesn't bring happiness, she knows this.. She knows she won't be happy all the time, but the expectation is there isn't it? She sings from her soul, what's not to love?

@ann-gaelleon3859

Twirlydoughnut Exaxtly

@janis9523

True

@NoName-jy8oc

One of a kind talent. 👍🏿

@m.rmusichd4411

She's sadly a One hit wonder :(

@muneeraaddaani5047

Reply to the best beat box challenge>yeah that's right but she found game and fame doesn't bring happiness

26 More Replies...

@debbiejohnson4034

I’m 66 and I love her music and lyrics, I love her dancing when she performs. I hope she stays grounded, and true to herself. I wish her all the success she wants and deserves. I kept hearing her on TikTok in the background and looked her up out of curiosity, I think she is extremely talented.

@shawns4354

43 here and even though I am not a big fan of pop in general I have been drawn into her vocals and consider her one of my favorites now.

@toniorford9357

To both of you, I am 51 and hear what you are saying, I just love her voice. My partner and I have got tickets to see her in May and I just can’t wait 😛. She has such raw talent 🧚🌈🇦🇺💕x

@irishcelticeyes

Im 60 and she's great. I love her music....it will keep me young!

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