I Just Can't Be Happy Today

The Damned

About I Just Can't Be Happy Today

"I Just Can't Be Happy Today" is a song by the Damned from their 1979 album, Machine Gun Etiquette. Released as a single in November on Chiswick Records, it peaked at No. 46 in the UK Singles Chart.


Year:
1979
3:42
205 

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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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The Damned

The Damned are an English rock band formed in London in 1976. They were the first punk rock band from the United Kingdom to release a single ("New Rose"), an album (Damned Damned Damned), to have a record on the UK music charts, and to tour the United States. The Damned later evolved into one of the forerunners of the gothic genre. more »

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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.
Album
The 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.
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.
Song Composition
The song is written by members Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies, Captain Sensible, and Algy Ward.
B-Side
The 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.
Controversy
The 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.
Line Up
This 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.
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.
Re-issue
The song was re-released in 1980 as a double A-side with "The History of the World (Part 1)".
Cover Versions
Several artists, including Die Toten Hosen and The Tubes, have performed or recorded cover versions of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today".
Video
In the promotion for the single's release, the band produced a quirky and eccentric music video, echoing their humorously chaotic live performances.
Influence
Despite 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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