I Just Can't Be Happy Today
The Damned
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I Just Can't Be Happy Today I Just Can't Be Happy Today A lot of you know there's nothing to smile There's no feeling fine without being fined It's a price on your head No point being sad when justice is red I Just Can't Be Happy Today I Just Can't Be Happy Today They're closing the schools They're burning the books The church is in ruins The priests hang on hooks The radios on ice The telly's been banned The army's in power The devil commands Illegal to dance Forbidden to cry You do what you're told and never ask why Ignore all those fools They don't understand we make our own rules I Just Can't Be Happy Today I Just Can't Be Happy Today I Just Can't Be Happy, Just Can't Be Happy, Just Can't Be Happy Today I Just Can't Be Happy, Just Can't Be Happy, Just Can't Be Happy Today
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Written by: ALASDAIR MACKIE WARD, CHRISTOPHER JOHN MILLAR, DAVID VANIAN, GIOVANNI DADOMO, RAYMOND IAN BURNS
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Release"I Just Can't Be Happy Today" was released by The Damned in November 1979.
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AlbumThe song is from their third studio album titled "Machine Gun Etiquette" which marked a shift from the band's early gothic punk style to a more diverse sound.
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Chart Performance"I Just Can't Be Happy Today" peaked at No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart, marking one of The Damned's earliest entries into the chart.
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Song CompositionThe song is written by members Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies, Captain Sensible, and Algy Ward.
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B-SideThe B-side of the single features the songs "Ballroom Blitz", a cover of the Sweet classic, and "Turkey Song" which was penned by the band's drummer, Rat Scabies.
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ControversyThe song ran into controversy due to its lyrics, which were deemed political, making reference to then UK's current events. BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read commented at the time that it was "too depressing" for daytime radio play.
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Line UpThis song was part of the band's first album after the departure of Brian James, one of the Damned's founding members, marking a change in the band's songwriting process.
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Live Performances"I Just Can't Be Happy Today" became a staple of The Damned's live setlist and continues to be performed by them.
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Re-issueThe song was re-released in 1980 as a double A-side with "The History of the World (Part 1)".
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists, including Die Toten Hosen and The Tubes, have performed or recorded cover versions of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today".
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VideoIn the promotion for the single's release, the band produced a quirky and eccentric music video, echoing their humorously chaotic live performances.
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InfluenceDespite its political undertones, "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" is widely regarded as one of The Damned's most influential songs, helping to shape the sound of punk rock in the late 70s and early 80s.
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Citation
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