Music Review: Pharrell "Happy"

Pharrell

Happy

Album: Despicable Me 2 soundtrack

Year: 2013

             Pharrell has optimistic outlook on life in the  joyful “Happy.”

             Bouncy synths open the single, setting an excited tone. His friend just finished telling him about his stressful day at his work. He fully expects his friend to roll his eyes once he tells him his opinion and warns him. He says that everything will be great and there is nothing to worry about. (“It might seem crazy what I'm 'bout to say/Sunshine she's here, you can take a break,/I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space/With the air like I don't care, baby, by the way.”)

             In the chorus, he’s content. He wants to provide comfort for his friends who are feeling helpless. He knows there are people who are enjoying their lives like him. He knows designer clothes or a huge house won’t make his life better. It’s his friends and family who matter to him. He encourages others to find their own version of happiness. (“Because I'm happy/Come 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 want to do.”)

            He overhears a co-worker making fun of him. He walks back to his desk and tunes it out. The insults do not bother him. At 5 pm, he will go home and get ready to meet friends for dinner. He says it’s no use to try make him feel bad about himself. . (“Here comes bad news, talkin' this and that/But give me all you've got, and don't hold it back/Well, I should probably warn you, I'll be just fine/No offense to you, don't waste your time, here's why.”)

               The chorus is sung again.

              In the bridge, his mood remains unaffected by other people’s actions. (“Bring me down... can't nothing/Bring me down... your love is too high/Bring me down... can't nothing/Bring me down, I said (let me tell you now)/Bring me down... can't nothing/Bring me down... my level’s too high/Bring me down... can't nothing/Bring me down, I said.”)

               The chorus is sung twice.

       A shortened version of the bridge is sung. (“Bring me down... can't nothing/Bring me down... your love is too high/Bring me down... can't nothing/Bring me down, I said (let me tell you now.”)

              The chorus is sung twice again to close the single.

            Pharrell’s breezy vocals sticks to his unpopular opinion and won’t let negativity ruin him. There is no point in it. He has all that he needs.

        The  serene  “Happy”  tires the feet from tapping but it’s good for the mind.