happiness
Vanessa Williams Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't believe what I'm hearin'
You can't impress me by what you show me
Don't think I'm goin' through changes
Or you might see me change for the last time

Having a bad day
Better deal with it
If you're playin' games
No time for it
If you're bringin' pain
Gonna run from it
Don't mess up my day

I'm the only one who's responsible
For me havin' fun
And you can't take my

[Chorus:]
Happiness is what my life's about
Happiness no I can't do without
Happiness nothing can stop me now
Through ups and downs I'm still happy

Life is good as I make it
I can't sit while you make it for me
I like those jewels you gave me
But I want to buy some jewels for myself
To lose the ball and chain
Gotta reach for it
To realize my dreams
Gotta reach for it
Nothin' comes for free
Gotta reach for it
No I'm not gonna have to depend on you

I'm the only one
Who's responsible
For me havin' fun
And you can't my

[Chorus]

I'm the only one
Who's responsible
For me havin' fun
And you can't my

[Chorus: x2]





Happiness
Happiness

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Vanessa Williams's song "Happiness" convey the message of self-empowerment and the importance of personal responsibility for one's own happiness. The artist states that she is not impressed by mere appearances and cannot be moved by others' attempts to impress her. She warns against wasting time on games and pain, choosing instead to prioritize her own wellbeing.


The artist asserts that she alone is responsible for her happiness and that no one else can take it away from her. She refuses to let others dictate the course of her life, preferring to follow her own dreams and live life on her own terms. The message of the song is a powerful one, emphasizing the need for individuals to take control of their own lives and actively seek out the things that make them happy.


Interesting Facts:


Line by Line Meaning

I don't believe what I'm hearin'
The singer is skeptical about what they are hearing.


You can't impress me by what you show me
The singer is not easily swayed and cannot be impressed by superficial things.


Don't think I'm goin' through changes
The singer wants to make it clear that they are not experiencing a significant transformation.


Or you might see me change for the last time
Despite the previous line, the artist warns that there is still a limit to how much they can tolerate before changing.


Having a bad day
Sometimes things don't go well.


Better deal with it
The singer advises to address one's problems directly and effectively.


If you're playin' games
If someone is not being honest or is manipulating the situation.


No time for it
The artist does not have time for disingenuous behavior.


If you're bringin' pain
If someone is causing harm or distress.


Gonna run from it
In order to protect oneself, the artist will choose to avoid or leave a situation rather than endure pain.


Don't mess up my day
The singer does not want negativity or drama to affect their day or well-being.


I'm the only one who's responsible
The artist takes responsibility for their own happiness and well-being, rather than relying on others to provide it for them.


For me havin' fun
The singer wants to make sure that their experience of joy and recreation is not dependent on external factors or other people's opinions.


And you can't take my
No one can take away the singer's sense of happiness, as it comes from within and is not easily destroyed.


Happiness is what my life's about
The singer sees happiness as a primary goal or purpose in life.


Happiness no I can't do without
The artist cannot live without experiencing joy and fulfillment in their life.


Happiness nothing can stop me now
The artist is confident that nothing can interfere with their sense of happiness and well-being.


Through ups and downs I'm still happy
Despite the challenges and changes that come with life, the singer will not let it diminish their happiness and contentment.


Life is good as I make it
The singer has the power to create a positive and fulfilling life for themselves through their own choices and actions.


I can't sit while you make it for me
The artist will not allow someone else to dictate or control their life and happiness.


I like those jewels you gave me
The artist is grateful for gifts given by others that bring them happiness.


But I want to buy some jewels for myself
The artist wants to take control of their own happiness by achieving their own goals and satisfying their own desires.


To lose the ball and chain
The singer wants to free themselves from a situation or person that is holding them back or causing them misery.


Gotta reach for it
The artist acknowledges that achieving happiness and fulfillment requires effort and determination.


To realize my dreams
By pursuing their dreams and aspirations, the singer believes they can attain happiness and fulfillment.


Nothin' comes for free
The singer recognizes that true happiness and success require hard work and commitment.


No I'm not gonna have to depend on you
The singer wants to be self-sufficient and not rely on others for their happiness or well-being.


Happiness
The primary theme throughout the song, as the artist discusses the importance of happiness and declares their intent to achieve it on their own terms.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Steven Paul Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ah1016

This should have been a MUCH bigger song than it was. Highly underrated.

@markmenez4097

gleefulmusings it was when it came out in the 90s

@ah1016

@Mark Minez It didn't chart.

@greggmitchell2392

Agreed - should have been a big hit - and the Morales mix takes it the next level.

@markmenez4097

@gleefulmusings it made it to 25 on the hot 100 was on the r&b and club charts . No it was not a huge top 10 hot . It did chart .

@nishaervin3110

It was a huge hit! Where you live makes a huge difference.

8 More Replies...

@KenKaneki-ss2mu

2020 and you could still apply the message of this song to life. One of my favorite Vanessa Williams songs

@janath9118

I agree.

@Itsjust-me

"I'm the only one who's responsible for me having fun, and you can't my happiness" very positive quote!!! At 11 back in 1997, I never caught on to what she was actually saying. Now at 34, the same age she was on this video, I totally understand what she means and I haven't heard this song in years!!!

@cdsouthsidec1

@Carolinagirl 1986 I love that part of this song too. I have this on my playlist on my mp3 player. I heard it today and decided I wanted to revisit the music video and I must say I love this video so much. It is so much fun.

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