Story Behind The Song
I saw the title of a book by Jeanette Winterson - Why be happy if you could be normal - it spoke to me and the end of my partnership with my duo partner. I was angry and frustrated that he seemed to have no ambition and I was also locked in my bedroom with covid at the time! I took my frustration out on my guitar and these lyrics and this song always goes down a storm when I play it live.
Song Description
A comment on the social pressure to conform even if that means sacrificing your own happiness for a normal conventional hum drum life.
| Song Length |
3:03 |
Genre |
Country - Americana, Country - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Cross, Infuriated |
Subject |
Conformity, Philosophy |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
Normal
I spent a while
Believing the view
I wasn’t enough
It’s me, not you
Worshipped ground
That wasn’t true
I was always too much
For you
Why be happy, when you can be normal
Why feel joy, when you can feel awful
Don’t be free there’s a way to be formal
Why be happy
When you can be normal
Normal
Out on the road
Paying my dues
The songs they like best
Are the ones about you
Hated to lose
It made me so blue
I kicked down doors
Without you
Chorus
Learn to be thankful
Really I knew
I can be great
Now I’ve shaken off you
And if you came back
What would I do
I’d say
(spoken) go love yourself
Chorus x 2
This track is on 1 Member Playlists