To me, the song is essentially showing the dark side of "pursuing happiness" through the means of alcohol, drugs, etc. The song is showing how much he is craving living life to the fullest, whether it's by drinking, doing drugs, whatever---he is going to pursue pleasure and fun at any cost. Instead of presenting a happy ending to this way of life, the song takes a sharp turn, where he talks about night terrors, cold sweats and ends with him passing out and falling down, regretting drinking and smoking so much. In a dark way, the song is showing that this lifestyle is in reality more of a nightmare --- hence the name "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)". MGMT has had similar themes in their songs, most notably "Time to Pretend", where they begin the verse by reciting their desire to live life to the fullest, by doing drugs, f***ing with stars, getting models for wives, driving fast cars, etc. The song takes a sharp turn, and talks about the perils of this lifestyle and what he loses as a result---his friends, his family, love, innonence, etc. The song ends with them getting divorced and chocking to death on their own vomit. The theme, while dark, is a powerful one. The fast life isn't as glamorous as it appears, and instead of acheiving happiness most end up living a nightmare.
To me, the song is essentially showing the dark side of "pursuing happiness" through the means of alcohol, drugs, etc. The song is showing how much he is craving living life to the fullest, whether it's by drinking, doing drugs, whatever---he is going to pursue pleasure and fun at any cost. Instead of presenting a happy ending to this way of life, the song takes a sharp turn, where he talks about night terrors, cold sweats and ends with him passing out and falling down, regretting drinking and smoking so much. In a dark way, the song is showing that this lifestyle is in reality more of a nightmare --- hence the name "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)". MGMT has had similar themes in their songs, most notably "Time to Pretend", where they begin the verse by reciting their desire to live life to the fullest, by doing drugs, f***ing with stars, getting models for wives, driving fast cars, etc. The song takes a sharp turn, and talks about the perils of this lifestyle and what he loses as a result---his friends, his family, love, innonence, etc. The song ends with them getting divorced and chocking to death on their own vomit. The theme, while dark, is a powerful one. The fast life isn't as glamorous as it appears, and instead of acheiving happiness most end up living a nightmare.