Music Review: Ashanti "Happy"

Ashanti

Happy

Album: Ashanti

Year: 2002

                        Ashanti is aglow in her new relationship in the cunning  “Happy.”

                 Whistling synths open the single, setting a posturing tone.   In the intro, Ja Rule makes a cameo appearance. He plugs his record label, bragging that they have the best singers and rappers. He also tries turn Ashanti into a major A-List star. (“Whoa, ha ha/Right back at ya/It's the world’s most talented record label/Murder Inc/And that angelic voice you hear in the background/Oh that's our new princess of hip-hop and r & b/Ashanti.”)

           Ashanti waits for him by the window. She sees his car pull up the driveway and quickly straightens her skirt for the fortieth time. The gentleman that he is, he rings the doorbell and once inside, he starts chatting with her parents. He tells her she looks pretty and holds the car door open for her. She hears other girls complain about her boyfriends. She knows she’s fortunate. Sometimes, she is surprised she caught his eye at all. (“Boy you fill me with so much joy/You give whatever it is that I need/My love is here to stay/Won't never leave/So glad that you fell/In love with me.”)

             In the pre-chorus, she has made sure to learn his expressions. She wants to be able to know what’s his feelings and not accidently do something insensitive. She thinks they make a great couple and are compatible. (“My love is so good/That I wouldn't be without you babe/Couldn't see me without you babe/My love is so good/That I wouldn't be without you babe/Couldn't see me without you babe.”)

           In the chorus, she was nine years old and playing bride, it was a guy like him she imagined standing next to her. She’s grateful for him and thinks about him all the time. (“All of my life (I've been searching for you)/Everyday (So glad that I found you boy)/On my mind (I've been feeling for you)/Everyday (I'm so happy baby.”)

           The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

            In the bridge, she believes he was meant to be in her life. He has given her someone who is a true friend and loves her for who she is. (“I'm so happy that I fell in love(fell in love)/I thank God he sent you from above(sent you form above)/I'm so happy that I found someone( found someone)/I thank God he sent you from above.”)

         The chorus is sung twice.

         A variation of the pre-chorus ends the single. (“Oh, that I wouldn't be without you babe/Couldn't see me without you babe/It's so good, that I wouldn't be without you babe/Couldn't see me without you baby.”)

         Ashanti’s gauzy vocals parade her boyfriend around, rubbing in it all the girl’s faces. When he’s not watching, she’s glaring at the other girls and getting in their faces. He’s taken and they are going to know it.

           The  brittle  “Happy” has unncessary machoismo to it, giving it a nasty undertone.