Pharrell Williams, ‘Happy’ – Song Meaning

If more people listened (and we mean really listened to) the lyrics of Pharrell Williams' chart-topping, Oscar-nominated 'Happy,' they might find their moods elevated.

We've taken a deeper look at the lyrics of this toe-tapper and found that it's a testament to the human spirit and human will when it comes to pursuing happiness. Although it might be futile, you can't give up... ever.

"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."

Here, Pharrell's narrator is happy no matter what fate befalls him. The "room without a roof" line is telling, and you can view it in a glass half-full or half-empty way. A roofless room has no boundaries and no limits, so your happiness can soar to new heights with no ceiling. However, when you are in a room without a roof and it's raining, are you screwed? Not if you're Pharrell! Also, the line "Clap along if you know what happiness is to you" is deceptively simple. Some people don't know what makes them happy, and that's a tragedy. The song reminds you to learn to be happy.

"Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah / Well, give me all you got, and 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."

Bad news, smack talk and the like won't sour Pharrell's mood or knock his happiness out of whack. It's not easy to be like that -- always happy and always seeing the silver lining -- but you'll never get there unless you try and practice the fine art of not letting things get you down.

"Bring me down / Can’t nothing / Bring me down / My level's too high…"

At first listen, we thought, "Does he mean serotonin levels,?" (which are the chemicals in the brain that keep you on the up and up). That may be the case. Or he is just high on life, which is how it should be.

PopCrushers, what do you all think of our assessment of Pharrell's 'Happy?' What do you take away when you examine the lyrics?

Listen to Pharrell Williams' 'Happy'