Most people are not ok, but they're taking their siestas in the sun
Got some ideas on the way it should be
But most of 'em just carrying on

Happy colored marbles that are rolling in my head
I put 'em back in the jacket of the one I love
Carry that velvet sack full of pretty colored marbles
And I'll ask you for 'em back, when I'm ready and done

Most people are not ok, and they're slackin' cause the job ain't done
Fillin' up on the poison nut
And getting down till the dawn

Happy colored marbles that are rolling in my head
I put 'em back in the jacket of the one I love
Carry that velvet sack full of pretty colored marbles
And I'll ask you for 'em back, when I'm ready and done


Lyrics submitted by Optimus Prime

Happy Colored Marbles Lyrics as written by Michael Melchiondo Aaron Freeman

Lyrics © DOWNTOWN MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Happy Colored Marbles song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

22 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +6
    General Comment

    c'mon... this song is clearly about the illusion of happiness, as is zoloft, as is the theme of that record, quebec. "Most people are not okay but they're taking their siestas in the sun"... all of the people trying to convince themselves they're happy, out in the world, but truthfully they're not okay at all. And "gettin' down till the dawn" a reference to all the club goers and partiers seeming quite satisfied with their lives and yet actually unhappy. The change over to the madness halfway through the song is supposed to reflect the truth. The first half, especially the chorus, is the illusion of happiness, the second half is the reality.

    rufonz38on October 25, 2007   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    i realize I shouldn't double post on this site... but are you serious man? I can't believe so many ween fans get it so wrong. I wonder why everybody is listening if that's the case... I'm absolutely certain that song, and that record in general, is about the fragility, and artificiality, of happiness. They'd tell you it to your face. Its not about ecstasy. Its about artificial happiness, of which ecstasy could be an example. Why do you think the madness of the second half is there?

    rufonz38on November 03, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    You are all completely wrong.

    Right before this was played at Red Rocks in 2006, Gener said "This next song is about Hell"

    So there you have it. It's about Hell.

    The lyrics kind of make sense in this context. Most people are not ok (doomed to hell), and they're taking their siestas in the sun (hell). The happy colored marbles themselves are all the mind warping drugs that has addicts enslaved and damned.

    "Fillin' up on the poison nut And getting down till the dawn" is a direct reference to 'tripping.' The poison nut is most likely a psychedic drug reference, and "getting down til the dawn" is a reference to the insomnia and restlessness involved with tripping all night.

    Sounds fucked up, but so is ween.

    davidajon March 30, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I agree with davidaj, I mean he just about heard it from the horse's mouth, apparently. My impression wasn't immediately "hell" when I heard this song, but it does make sense now that I think about it.

    One thing that bothers me is that every time I look up what people think the meanings of Ween songs are, most people immediately go for the drug angle.

    Okay, obviously some of their songs are in fact about drugs, but EVERY single one? Come on.

    Ween is amazing and I'd like to think that they have a little more depth than every single song being about drugs.

    Open your mind up to other possible interpretations of their awesome music and creative songwriting. Look beyond the image of the members of Ween being perpetually high.

    Not every Ween song is about drugs. If you're really a Ween fan, you'd realize that and give them a lot more credit.

    DigitalAnchovieson September 27, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think Happy Colored Marbles might refer to painkillers.

    Theo Reoon June 10, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The first stanza is pretty simple to understand. People are not okay, they sleep through the day and don't do anything to make the changes they want.

    The chorus about happy colored marbles is at least a reference to losing your marbles or being crazy/stupid. He takes the marbles that were in his head and he gives them away. They don't just poof disappear. So, the subject of the song knows what he is doing.

    He says he'll ask for his marbles back when he's ready and done. I take that to mean he's going to be doing something (read 'drugs') that he doesn't need his mind for. At the end of it though he plans on coming back for them.

    I can't imagine another meaning of "Getting down til the dawn", except partying all night long (the reason why the people are sleeping in the daytime in the first part of the song).

    I suppose there might be a personal story lurking within the song itself, but it reads pretty literally.

    yuppie123on April 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    hmmm :\

    just_another_brickon July 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    beautiful song

    alecp66on June 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Theo_Reo is on the right track with the drug thing, but painkillers aren't exactly notorious for being colorful and helping people "get down 'till the dawn." Ecstasy, on the other hand, is.

    Hraesvelgon July 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    david caruso

    asherCon March 13, 2007   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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/