1) Status Quo was fo… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands named Traffic Jam
1) Status Quo was formed in 1962 under the name "The Scorpions". By 1967, the group had discovered psychedelia and named themselves Traffic, but were soon forced to change it to "Traffic Jam" to avoid confusion with Steve Winwood's Traffic, following an argument over who had registered the name first.
Formed in 1962 by Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster at Sedgehill Comprehensive School, Catford, along with classmates Alan Key (drums) and Jess Jaworski (keyboards). Rossi and Lancaster played their first gig at the Samuel Jones Sports Club in Dulwich, London. In 1963, Key was replaced by John Coghlan and the band changed name to "The Spectres". They began writing their own material and after a year met Rick Parfitt who was playing with a cabaret band called The Highlights. By the end of 1965, Rossi and Parfitt, who had become close friends, made a commitment to continue working together. On 18 July 1966, The Spectres signed a five-year deal with Piccadilly Records, releasing two singles that year, "I (Who Have Nothing)" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (written by Alan Lancaster), and one the next year called "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" (a song originally recorded by New York psychedelic band The Blues Magoos). All three singles failed to make an impact on the charts. Parfitt joined the band in 1967.
By 1967, the group had discovered psychedelia and named themselves Traffic, but were soon forced to change it to "Traffic Jam" to avoid confusion with Steve Winwood's Traffic, following an argument over who had registered the name first. The band, with newly-joined organist Roy Lynes, secured an appearance on BBC Radio's Saturday Club, but their next single, "Almost But Not Quite There", underperformed.
In late 1967, the group were now officially calling themselves Status Quo, and in January 1968 released the psychedelic-flavoured "Pictures of Matchstick Men". Rick Parfitt was invited to join the band just as the song hit the UK Singles Chart, reaching number seven; "Matchstick Men" additionally became the group's only Top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100. Although Status Quo's albums have been released in the United States throughout their career, they never achieved the same level of success as they have in their home country.
2) Traffic Jam band exists since 1998 and was founded by two gentlemen: Karol Ptach and Wiktor Kurc (www.Graphvic.pl). They create difficult to define music, which is a good blend synth-pop, experimental electronic music, deep-house and electro. They describe their music as a fusion of voice transformation and emotional electronic musical landscapes.
They played concerts with such bands as Swayzak, Skalpel or Tworzywo Sztuczne. Quite recently their number “Montreal” was published on a notable collection of a SITE-REC netlabel, which has not go unnoticed and the number was used by dj Q-Man in his “Night Glow” set that was published in German SUBSOURCE
more on www.trafficjam.3h.pl, www.netlabel.pl
Happy
Traffic Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m never feeling the way that I could
I hope it’s really only a matter of time
Until like they say I’ll find
What will do me good
The stars are hanging much too high in the sky
People only say hello to pass you byI guess that’s really only what we can see
Drowning in waves of uncertainty
Never smiling while we sigh
Say
It must be wonderful where you are at home
Today
You asked me if I sometimes feel alone
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
Something is missing that I need you see
Guess it’s normal to sometimes feel damn old
No belief in your strength, no relief from the cold
But tell me when will I be free again
To follow the waves, the wind and the sand
To this shore where my dreams unfold
Say
It must be wonderful where you are at home
Today
You asked me if I sometimes feel alone
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
Something is missing that I need you see
You see you might as well have saved meThe chance is gone, waited too long
To let you know what was going on
Say
It must be wonderful where you are at home
Today
You asked me if I sometimes feel alone
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
Something is missing that I need
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
Something is missing that I need you see
The lyrics of "Happy" by Traffic Jam delves into deep feelings of dissatisfaction and yearning for a different emotional state. The opening lines set the tone of the song by communicating a sense of frustration with the way things are. The singer feels trapped in a cycle where life does not align with their expectations, suggesting that they recognize their potential for happiness but are currently unable to access it. The hope expressed—that it’s only a matter of time before they find what they need—indicates an underlying belief in better days ahead, but it also highlights a sense of impatience and longing. The reference to "what will do me good" suggests that the singer is searching for something external or a change in circumstance that they believe will bring them contentment and fulfillment.
As the song progresses, the imagery of the stars "hanging much too high in the sky" symbolizes unattainable goals or desires. The simple exchanges of greetings between people—"People only say hello to pass you by"—implies a disconnection and superficiality in human interactions. The idea that we are "drowning in waves of uncertainty" conveys feelings of being overwhelmed by life’s unpredictability, contributing to the singer's struggle to find genuine happiness. The recurring theme of sighing further emphasizes a melancholic state, indicating resignation to circumstances that are less than ideal. This section paints a picture of isolation, setting a contrast between the richness of what’s possible and the stark reality of the singer's current emotional landscape.
The refrain is a poignant moment in the lyrics, as the singer expresses a sense of yearning for connection and understanding. They engage with a loved one who seems to be in a happier, more stable place, further accentuating their feelings of loneliness. The phrase "I’m happy or at least I could be" captures a nuanced emotional state—it’s a recognition that happiness is attainable, yet remains just out of reach. The singer acknowledges their emotional struggle while hinting at an underlying potential for joy. The phrase "something is missing" becomes a refrain that encapsulates the essence of their longing, suggesting that the absence of an important element—likely a deeper connection with the person they are addressing—plays a significant role in their current dissatisfaction with life.
The concluding verses convey a mixture of vulnerability and resignation. The expression of feeling "damn old" reveals a weariness that accompanies the pursuit of dreams, paired with an absence of faith in one's abilities. This sentiment of feeling weary and cold is countered by a longing for freedom—the freedom to pursue their dreams fully "again." The repeated refrain about the loved one’s experience at home underscores a longing for deeper emotional ties amidst this journey of self-discovery. A sense of regret surfaces as the singer reflects on missed opportunities to express their true feelings, indicating a critical understanding that sometimes, the moment for candid connection or reconciliation can be fleeting. The cyclical nature of these thoughts emphasizes the broader human experience, where joy and fulfillment can seem elusive despite their proximity, leading the listener to ponder the complexities of emotional well-being and the intrinsic need for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Things are never going the way they should
Life often deviates from our expectations and desired outcomes.
I’m never feeling the way that I could
I'm experiencing a sense of unfulfillment, unable to access my full emotional potential.
I hope it’s really only a matter of time
I remain optimistic that my circumstances will eventually change for the better.
Until like they say I’ll find
Until I discover what others often suggest is achievable.
What will do me good
What will ultimately benefit my well-being and happiness.
The stars are hanging much too high in the sky
My aspirations feel distant and unattainable, as if they are out of reach.
People only say hello to pass you by
Interactions with others feel superficial and lack genuine connection.
I guess that’s really only what we can see
I recognize that this limited interaction is the common experience we share.
Drowning in waves of uncertainty
I feel overwhelmed by doubt and insecurity, as if I'm struggling to stay afloat.
Never smiling while we sigh
We express our discontent through our weary acknowledgment rather than positivity.
Say
Expressing a thought or sentiment.
It must be wonderful where you are at home
I imagine that your life is filled with comfort and happiness.
Today
In the present moment.
You asked me if I sometimes feel alone
You inquired whether I experience feelings of isolation and solitude.
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
I want to convey that there is potential for happiness within me.
Something is missing that I need you see
There is an essential aspect of my life that I feel is lacking, and I wish for you to understand this.
Guess it’s normal to sometimes feel damn old
It seems typical to experience feelings of weariness and fatigue as time passes.
No belief in your strength, no relief from the cold
I struggle with self-doubt and feel emotionally vulnerable without comfort.
But tell me when will I be free again
I'm eager to know when I can experience liberation from my current struggles.
To follow the waves, the wind and the sand
I long to embrace life’s natural rhythms and explore freedom.
To this shore where my dreams unfold
I envision reaching a place where I can fully realize my aspirations.
Say
Expressing a thought or sentiment.
It must be wonderful where you are at home
I imagine that your life is filled with comfort and happiness.
Today
In the present moment.
You asked me if I sometimes feel alone
You inquired whether I experience feelings of isolation and solitude.
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
I want to convey that there is potential for happiness within me.
Something is missing that I need you see
There is an essential aspect of my life that I feel is lacking, and I wish for you to understand this.
You see you might as well have saved me
I wish our connection could have provided me the support I needed.
The chance is gone, waited too long
Opportunities have slipped away because I hesitated.
To let you know what was going on
I regret not being able to share my struggles and feelings with you.
Say
Expressing a thought or sentiment.
It must be wonderful where you are at home
I imagine that your life is filled with comfort and happiness.
Today
In the present moment.
You asked me if I sometimes feel alone
You inquired whether I experience feelings of isolation and solitude.
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
I want to convey that there is potential for happiness within me.
Something is missing that I need you see
There is an essential aspect of my life that I feel is lacking, and I wish for you to understand this.
Well I’m happy or at least I could be
I want to convey that there is potential for happiness within me.
Something is missing that I need you see
There is an essential aspect of my life that I feel is lacking, and I wish for you to understand this.
Lyrics © Music Hub O/B/O GEMA
Written by: Christopher Tucker, Robert Müller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind