In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
What would you say to me
If I told you I had a dream
If I told you everything
Would you tell me to go back to sleep
Take a look in these tired eyes
They're coming back to life
I know I can change, got hope in my veins
I'm telling you I ain't going back to the pain
[Chorus]
Can I be happy now?
Can I let my breath out
Let me believe
I'm building a dream
Don't try to drag me down
I just wanna scream out loud
Can I be happy now?
Been down on my knees
I learned how to bleed
I'm turning my world around
Can I be happy now
Can I break free somehow
I just wanna live again
Love again
Pick my pride up off of the ground
I'm ready to pick a fight
Crawl out of the dark to shine a light
I ain't throwing stones, got sins of my own
Ain't everybody just trying to find a way home
[Chorus]
I just wanna scream out loud
Can I be happy now?
Been down on my knees
I learned how to bleed
I'm turning my world around
You're born then you die, it's all gone in a minute
I ain't looking back, 'cause I don't want to miss it
You better live now
'Cause no one's going to get out alive, alive
[Chorus]
I just wanna scream out loud
Can I be happy now?
Been down on my knees
I learned how to bleed
I'm turning my world around
Can I be happy now? (oh, oh, oh)
I'm turning my world around
Can I be happy now?
If I told you I had a dream
If I told you everything
Would you tell me to go back to sleep
Take a look in these tired eyes
They're coming back to life
I know I can change, got hope in my veins
I'm telling you I ain't going back to the pain
[Chorus]
Can I be happy now?
Can I let my breath out
Let me believe
I'm building a dream
Don't try to drag me down
I just wanna scream out loud
Can I be happy now?
Been down on my knees
I learned how to bleed
I'm turning my world around
Can I be happy now
Can I break free somehow
I just wanna live again
Love again
Pick my pride up off of the ground
I'm ready to pick a fight
Crawl out of the dark to shine a light
I ain't throwing stones, got sins of my own
Ain't everybody just trying to find a way home
[Chorus]
I just wanna scream out loud
Can I be happy now?
Been down on my knees
I learned how to bleed
I'm turning my world around
You're born then you die, it's all gone in a minute
I ain't looking back, 'cause I don't want to miss it
You better live now
'Cause no one's going to get out alive, alive
[Chorus]
I just wanna scream out loud
Can I be happy now?
Been down on my knees
I learned how to bleed
I'm turning my world around
Can I be happy now? (oh, oh, oh)
I'm turning my world around
Can I be happy now?
Lyrics submitted by aristuma21
Happy Now Lyrics as written by Jon Bon Jovi Richie Sambora
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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.
How has no one commented on this song yet??? This is one of my favorites off the new album...which is an amazing album btw! I really relate to this song. I used to be in a much worse state emotionally...and I'm still not all they way better, but I've made a lot of progress. But so many times I've asked when I'll finally be happy and if I can be happy now. This song is just so perfect. I think many people can relate to it in some way. Bon Jovi is my absolute favorite band...they're so amazing!!!!