Back in May, I posted a blog about Pharrell Williams’ song, “Happy.” My commentary on the song was just the fact that is so refreshing to be encouraged to be happy when so many other songs on Top 40 radio have other lesser agendas with inappropriate images filling our children’s heads. CLICK HERE to read my blog on the subject from May 26, 2014.
Well here I am back on the topic only about 7 months later, and I am still overcome by the thought and meaning of this very powerful piece of music. The reason I am readdressing “Happy” is because Pharrell Williams, the song’s composer and performer, wrote an op/ed piece in the New York Times this week entitled “Happiness Matters.” CLICK HERE to read it.
His extremely well-written and inspiring article discuss the phenomenon of “Happy,” and Pharrell explains “While I’ve expressed gratitude many times for what my song “Happy” did for me personally, I will never stop saying thank you.”He discusses that “happiness is a human right” and that what really touched him the most with this song is the fact that people from all over the world ” began recording homemade videos of themselves dancing and singing along to the song.”
What really struck a chord with me in his writing, however, is when he discusses his plan for “Happy” moving forward. “…We created 24hoursofhappiness.com and inspired people to submit their own “Happy” videos. We received responses from more than 140 countries and the result was a 24-hour celebration and a wave of happiness worldwide…I plan to take this turning point into the next year. In 2015, I will use the song to bring attention to the United Nations Global Education First initiative, which aims to put every child in school and foster global citizenship. Happiness should not just be a temporary phenomenon, and it should not be limited to just one moment in 2014.”
Following Pharrell’s example, this is one initiative I want to promote and share with our readers. What a great New Year’s resolution. Amen to being happy!
So, here it is again – the song “Happy” being used once more as my song of the day in line with the effort to bring that feeling into 2015. A very “Happy” Happy New Year to all!
