Four years ago, I wrote an article about the Black Eyed Peas song “Where is the Love.” I don’t usually follow contemporary rap or R&B, but the lyrics in this song reaching out for divine love was a powerful message. Pharrell Williams’s monster hit “Happy” is another song worth taking note of. From Slovakia to the Philippines, people are posting YouTube videos of others dancing to it. It’s become a world phenomenon.
In a recent interview with Oprah, Pharrell (as he prefers to be called) was shown a video that gave a sampling of the impact his song is having throughout the world and he wept. And why not? Can you imagine the feeling of bringing joy to so many? Especially since his objective was to write a song with purpose. In a recent Sunday Morning episode discussing his earlier work, he noted, “I realized along the way that there wasn’t enough purpose in my music…” There is now. “Happy” is lifting people up around the globe.
Medicine for the world
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It’s widely known that music can be therapeutic and healthful and this song is obviously bringing a healthful uplift to millions. A recent comment on a YouTube “Happy” video stated, “To be Honest… this song just made the world happier. I [u]sed to have a serious sudden depression…This song’s actually my medicine.” Even French philosopher Voltaire once wrote, “I have decided to be happy because it’s good for my health.”
Correlations to the Bible
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I admit that for months I saw the song as fun and upbeat, but didn’t really understanding the depth of the lyrics. “Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof” As an architect, I couldn’t grasp why anyone would want to “feel like a room without a roof.” Then I saw that it symbolized letting the sun in, being unconfined and free! And consider the correlations to the Bible. The sun has long been used as a metaphor for God. In that context, “Happy” begins by encouraging us to trust in God’s goodness and then take a break. Consider how the song begins:
