Happy is a Yuppie Word

I went to the Switchfoot concert on Friday at Wild Adventures. The weather was horrible the music great and the concert overall I would have to say was excellent. One thing I would like to have seen though and I know some people will disagree with this, is more from the heart of the artist. When I go to a concert I like to hear the artist talk about the stories behind their songs. Tell me what lead you to write that song…what moves you…what inspires you…is there a story behind the lyrics to your music? There were some vague references…’this song is more than rock & roll to me’ is one comment that was made. That peaked my interest…’oh yea. Why? Tell me. Don’t leave me hangin’” If I just want to hear the songs I can listen to a CD. I know…others would say…I came to hear you play not talk so shut up and sing…I just happen to like it the other way.

With that said there was one song that will be on their new album that sparked my interest. The song is, ‘Happy is a Yuppie Word’. That song really had me longing to hear the story behind the song. Of course they did not offer any information so I did some research. Apparently the song was inspired by a quote by Johnny Cash. Johnny was asked if he was happy. He said, “Happy is such a yuppie word”. He went on to explain that he felt, blessed, but happy probably wasn’t the right word to describe him. It seems like Swithchfoot has captured the essence of Johnny’s thoughts with this song…and the message of the book of Ecclesiastes for that matter. I love the line, ‘nothing in this world could fail me now’. How true is that? If you expect nothing from this world than you won’t be disappointed when this world provides nothing. If you are looking for this world to provide your satisfaction…get ready to be disappointed. The rest of the lyrics follow…

Happy is a Yuppie Word
by jon foreman

everyone dies
everyone loves a fight
nothing is sound
nothing is right side right
the evening comes
when the sun goes down in red
nothing is new
when will all the fighting end?
when will all the fighting end?

happy is a yuppie word
nothing in the world could fail me now
as empty as an argument
running down the life that won’t cash out... cash out

everything fails
everything’ll run its course
a time and a place
[for all of this] nothing war
everything [buys]
[cause] everything’s got a price
nothing is new
when will all us failures rise
When will all the failures rise, rise

happy is a yuppie word
nothing in the world can fail me now
as empty as an argument
running down a life that won’t cash out
everything is meaningless
i want more than simple cash can buy
happy is a yuppie word, word

i’m looking for an orphanage
i'm looking for a bridge I can’t burn down
i don’t believe in emptiness
i’m looking for the kingdom coming down
everything is meaningless
i want more than simple cash can buy
everything is meaningless
happy is a yuppie word
happy is a yuppie word
happy is a yuppie word
happy is a yuppie...

nothing is sound!
nothing is sound!
nothing is sound!
nothing is sound!
nothing is sound!
nothing is sound!
nothing is sound!

happy is a yuppie word
happy is a yuppie word
nothing in the world could fail me now
happy is a yuppie word, word

tags: God Switchfoot Music