One of the finest of the Stax/Volt soul artists, he was, like Otis Redding, able to tell a story with great sincerity and flawless musicality. His song "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til Your Well Runs Dry)" is a Memphis masterpiece.
Happy
William Bell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunshine she's here, you can take away
I'm a hot air balloon, I could go to space
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don't hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Happy, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Happy, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
William Bell’s song "Happy" is an upbeat and feel-good track that centers around the idea of finding happiness in life despite challenges that come along the way. The opening lines suggest that the singer is on the cusp of a significant change, something that would seem crazy to others. However, the metaphorical message is that nothing is impossible, and the singer is happy in anticipation of what's to come. The line "Sunshine she's here, you can take away" represents the idea that the positive energy in the singer's life cannot be diminished by shifting surroundings. The comparison with a hot air balloon is intended to emphasize that there's no limit to what the singer can achieve if he continues to maintain a positive outlook on life.
In the second part of the song, the singer shifts to answering those who might challenge his happiness and positivity in their lives. The assertion that nothing can bring the singer down is backed by the declaration that love is too happy to bring him down. The final part of the song is an invitation to join in on the joyousness of life. The chorus "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof" is a metaphorical way of expressing extreme happiness, as if one's joy has no containment, just like a room without a roof.
Line by Line Meaning
It might seem crazy what I'm about to say
I know this may sound outrageous, but hear me out
Sunshine she's here, you can take away
Even if some bad things happen, there's always something to be happy about
I'm a hot air balloon, I could go to space
I feel like I have endless possibilities and can do anything
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way
I'm carefree and enjoying life
Because I'm happy
I'm feeling extremely joyful
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
If you also feel boundless and limitless like you can touch the sky, join in and clap along
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
If you believe that happiness is the key to a good life, show it by clapping along
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
If you've found your own definition of happiness, sing it out and clap along
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
If you want to celebrate your happiness, lift your hands and clap along
Here come bad news talking this and that
Despite the negativity in the world, I'm still choosing to focus on the positive
Yeah, give me all you got, don't hold back
No matter what life throws my way, I'm ready to take it on with everything I have
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
I'm confident that I can handle anything that comes my way
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
I don't mean to be rude, but I don't have time for negativity or criticism
Happy, bring me down
Even if there are things that could potentially bring me down, my happiness will keep me afloat
Can't nothing, bring me down
Nothing can take away my joy
Love is too happy to bring me down
I'm surrounded by so much love and positivity that it's impossible to feel anything but happy
I said bring me down
I'm reminding myself that I won't let anything negative bring me down
Because I'm happy
I'm still feeling overwhelmingly happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Once again, if you feel unstoppable and free, clap along with me
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
If you know that happiness is the key to a good life, let it show by clapping along
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
If you've found your own definition of happiness, share it with the world by clapping along
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
If you want to join in on this celebration of happiness, clap your hands and be a part of it
Because I'm happy
My happiness is still going strong
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
If you feel like you can soar as high as a hot air balloon, show it by clapping along
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
If you believe happiness is the key to a meaningful life, join in and clap along
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
If you've found your own personal brand of joy, share it with others by clapping along
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
If you want to join in on this celebration of joy, clap your hands and let your happiness out
Happy, bring me down
My happiness will continue to keep me strong despite what life may throw my way
Can't nothing, bring me down
Nothing can dim my bright and positive outlook on life
Love is too happy to bring me down
The love and happiness I experience will always keep me afloat
Can't nothing, bring me down
Once again, nothing can take away my happiness
I said
I'm still standing firm in my joy
Contributed by Peyton T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.