Tom McFarland shared the story behind the song for the 100 Greatest Songs of 2018 year-end list at Songs for Whoever:
“What’s great about ‘Happy Man’ is that inherent darkness, there’s always a big question mark. It might seem there’s something good on the surface, but I like the fact that we explo...
[Verse 1]
I'm a troubled man, changed by the things I do
True, but it's funny how they all remember you
It all could be different, time to do something new
Giving everything, oh, to be a happy man too
Gotta understand, blamed by the friends I lose
Who's getting out of hand? Do you think they depend on you?
It all could be different, try to do something new
Giving everything, oh, to be a happy man too
[Chorus]
Buy yourself a dream, how's it looking?
Buy yourself a car and a house to live in
Get yourself a girl, someone different
Buy yourself a dream and it won't mean nothing
[Verse 2]
Gonna run it 'round, strange, but it just won't do
Know when it's coming down, taking a hold on you
It all could be different, try to do something new
Giving everything, oh, to be a happy man too
[Chorus]
Buy yourself a dream, how's it looking?
Buy yourself a car and a house to live in
Get yourself a girl, someone different
Buy yourself a dream and it won't mean nothing
[Bridge]
Closer
Telling it over
It all could be different, it's time to do something new
(Closer)
Giving everything, oh, to be a happy man too
(Over)
[Chorus]
Buy yourself a dream, how's it looking?
Buy yourself a car and a house to live in
Get yourself a girl, someone different
Buy yourself a dream and it won't mean nothing
[Outro]
No, I won't let it tame or twist me
I just got told that I gotta move on
No, I won't let it tame or twist me
I just got told that I gotta move on
Happy Man was written by Thomas McFarland & J. Lloyd.
Happy Man was produced by J. Lloyd & Thomas McFarland & Inflo.
During a press release the band confirmed that ‘Happy Man’ along with ‘House in LA,’ are the first two singles from their sophomore album, which the group described as “a post-apocalyptic radio station playing break up songs.”