Happiness

Elliott Smith's song 'Happiness' delves into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the often painful pursuit of happiness. The song opens with a vivid scene of an actor whose life is being metaphorically 'killed' by his activities, while a cop diverts traffic, symbolizing the external forces that disrupt our lives. The actor's burial 'way back in the day' suggests a long-standing issue or trauma that has been buried but not forgotten. This sets the tone for a narrative that explores the lies people tell themselves to cope with their emotional pain.

The lyrics reveal a deep sense of resignation and inevitability. The lines 'Made his life a lie so he might never have to know anyone' and 'Made her life a lie, you know' suggest that both the male and female characters in the song have constructed false realities to shield themselves from emotional connections. This self-imposed isolation is a defense mechanism to avoid further hurt, but it also prevents them from experiencing genuine happiness. The repetition of 'nothing else could have been done' underscores a sense of fatalism, as if the characters are trapped in their own emotional prisons.

The chorus shifts the focus to a more hopeful note, with the repeated lines 'What I used to be will pass away, and then you'll see that all I want now is happiness for you and me.' This suggests a desire for transformation and a break from past traumas. The repetition emphasizes the longing for a simpler, more genuine form of happiness, free from the lies and emotional barriers that have been constructed. Elliott Smith's melancholic yet hopeful tone captures the bittersweet nature of this pursuit, making 'Happiness' a poignant exploration of the human condition.