One of the biggest hits of 2018, “Happier” is a dance-pop collaboration between Marshmello and Bastille. It’s a track about love, sacrifice, and the knowing that the best way to make someone happy might be to let them go.
Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the lyrics in “Happier.”
- Song: Happier
- Artists: Marshmello, Bastille
- Songwriters: Christopher Comstock, Dan Smith, Steve Mac
- Released: 2018
- Genre: Dance-pop
“Happier” Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: A Love Lost
When the morning comes, when we see what we’ve become
In the cold light of day, we’re a flame in the wind, not the fire that we begun
The narrator sees the reality of his relationship, realizing that it has changed.
The passion they once had has faded, like a flame that was once strong but now flickers weakly in the wind, a metaphor for the slow death of their relationship.
Every argument, every word we can’t take back
‘Cause with all that has happened, I think that we both know the way that this story ends
The damage has been done through endless fighting and nasty things said that can’t be forgotten or undone.
Both of them understand that their relationship is coming to an end, even if it’s unspoken. The damage has been done, and they both know it’s over.
Chorus: A Desire to Make Things Right
Then only for a minute
I want to change my mind ’cause
This just don’t feel right to me
The thought of breaking up brings a moment of doubt and fear, where he wishes he could change his mind and make things right.
He struggles with the pain of the choice. Deep down, though, he knows that staying in the relationship isn’t right for either of them anymore.
I wanna raise your spirits
I want to see you smile, but
Know that means I’ll have to leave
He wants to make his partner happy, but understands that this would require him to leave.
The contradiction of wanting the best for someone even if it means parting ways is tough to deal with. His love now forces him to hurt himself by letting go.
Post-Chorus: A Struggle for Happiness
Lately, I been, I been thinkin’
I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier
He keeps returning to the same conclusion: the only way for his partner to truly be happy is for him to step away. It’s a painful realization, but it’s also a selfless one.
This phrase becomes his mantra and the main reason for his decision.
Verse 2: A Lingering Pain
When the evening falls and I’m left there with my thoughts
And the image of you being with someone else, well, it’s eating me up inside
At night, he is consumed by the painful thought of his ex moving on with someone else.
This jealousy and the hurt of these images playing out in his mind are intense, making him feel sick.
But we ran our course, we pretended we’re okay
Now, if we jump together, at least we can swim far away from the wreck we made
He knows that they’ve reached the end of the relationship and that they’ve been pretending everything is fine for some time.
The idea of “jumping together” means that despite their differences, they could part ways and leave the drama behind.
The “wreck” they made represents all the damage done, and “swimming away” symbolizes escaping the fallout and finding some peace in the separation.
Bridge: Saying Goodbye
So I’ll go, I’ll go
I will go, go, go
He repeats his decision to leave, though it’s obvious that it isn’t easy.
Saying “I’ll go” repeatedly shows that he is committed to stepping away, but it is definitely painful to do so. It’s like he’s convincing himself it’s the right decision.
Pre-Chorus: Acceptance
The post-chorus lines are repeated in this section, and then these are added:
Even though I might not like this
I think that you’ll be happier, I want you to be happier
He repeats the core sentiment, adding that he truly does not like making this choice or feeling this type of pain.
Despite his personal feelings, he firmly believes his partner will be better off. Their well-being is the only thing that matters in the end.
“Happier” Meaning: The Struggle to Let Go
“Happier” is about the selfless act of leaving a person you still love because you know that staying together is preventing them from being truly happy. It’s about recognizing a doomed situation and making the tough decision to exit, putting the other person’s welfare above your own wants.
The song navigates the complex emotions that come with a necessary ending. There is acknowledgment of the past fights and the pain of letting go, all mixed with the genuine hope that the ex-partner will find peace once the relationship is over.
“Happier” suggests that real love sometimes means accepting heartbreak for the sake of the person you care about.
Songs Like “Happier”
Here are some songs with similar themes to “Happier”:
1. “The Scientist” by Coldplay
“The Scientist” also focuses on a relationship that’s falling apart. It’s about wanting to turn back time and fix mistakes, but ultimately recognizing that the damage has been done.
Related: “The Scientist” Song Meaning
2. “Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith
Sam Smith’s hit describes the pain of constantly being let down in relationships. He sacrifices opening up his heart to avoid getting completely crushed when the breakup inevitably comes.
3. “Let Her Go” by Passenger
“Let Her Go” centers on someone realizing the true impact of a breakup only after the separation has already happened. It’s about the slow acceptance that comes after a relationship ends.
Related: “Let Her Go” Song Meaning
4. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
This classic ballad is about letting go of someone you love, even though the feelings will remain. It’s about hoping for the other person’s happiness despite the heartache it brings.
Related: Best Love Songs
Conclusion: Letting Go for the Right Reasons
“Happier” is a great dance song, but it’s also a song about sacrifice and the recognition that sometimes love means walking away. It’s a difficult but selfless act to break up with someone, not because love is lost, but because it’s the right thing to do.
The core message of “Happier” is one many people can relate to: Love isn’t always enough to keep two people together, and sometimes, the kindest choice is to let go and hope for happiness down the road.
You can listen to “Happier” on Spotify and Amazon.
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