And I said you shouldn't make facts out of opinions
He said that I was right
You're right I knew that I was
And I'd hate to see anybody thank you

But I'd like to see you fail saying thank you though(?)
I'm not sure who I am
I'm not sure who I am but I know who I've been
And I said you can't make everybody happy

He said you'd like to at least make yourself happy though
I'm not sure who I am
I'm not sure who I am but I know who I've been


Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by kaonashiGodot, 2plus2is5

Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Eric Judy

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

65 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +5
    General Comment

    The end of this song is just so amazing. The way it builds to a nut smashing ending is just godlike. There is no one like Modest Mouse.

    Relapseron May 09, 2006   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    I don't know why, but when I was listening to the last couple minutes of this song the other day, I felt like it was the sound of life. I wasn't high or anything, though I was extremely bored at work. It's beautiful and hectic and stuff is happening all around you... I just felt like, if someone asked me what life "sounds like" or to describe life through sound, I would point to the last half of this song.

    I probably should get high one day and see how it sounds then. I suspect my brain will explode.

    Cometgreenon June 04, 2007   Link
  • +4
    My Interpretation

    I think I read this somewhere on here but someone said it was like he was having a conversation with a therapist. That makes so much sense to me. Listening to it over and over I can picture him being depressed saying You can't make everyone happy and that the world is a sad place no matter how hard you try and the therapist replies: Well, you'd like to at least make yourself happy right? Trying to bring him out of depression.

    One of my favorites songs by one of the greatest bands out there!

    Conchobearon January 09, 2013   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I understand this song.

    Westeron August 11, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I saw a Blender issue that rated the top 100 (i think) indie albums. Lonesome Crowded was ranked like 50 something. I'm surprised this album wasn't in the top 10. It's by far one of the best records every made by anyone.

    jib3810on February 03, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I'm not sure who I am I'm not sure who I am but I know who I've been

    simply amazing.

    3kindsofyeson August 31, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    p.s. I love how next to Isaac's incredible lyrics are adds for "what celebrity are you" and other filth trying to make us into spending machines. I wonder what Isaac has to say about that.

    SadSappySuckeron July 12, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    isn't it "And I'd hate to see anybody fail But I'd like to see you fail seeing me fail"

    gazsafaon April 06, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i'm surprised no one thinks this song is about him talking to a therapist. i hate it when my friends are depressed, and i said "i wish i could make everyone happy", then since modest mouse is my favorite band it reminded me of this song. and even more so after i read the lyrics. i'm going to disagree with what everyone has said this song is about, because i sense that it's isaac talking to a therapist. if you've ever been depressed and talked to one, you'd probably understand.

    jazzyboopson August 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Me too.

    jackAnselmoon September 13, 2002   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.