“HAPPY” by NF

NF’s fifth-studio album, “Hope”, was made public on 7 April 2023. On that same day, “Happy” was issued. This song, which is one of 13 tracks found therein, was released as a single, thus making it the LP’s third. 

The songs “Hope” and “Motto” also supported this album as official singles.

NF collaborated with his usual behind-the-scenes’ team in terms of putting this song together, with himself and Tommee Profitt composing it, and the rapper directing the music video alongside Patrick Tohill. 

However, in this case Jeff Sojka, who just got down with the gang as of “Hope”, is also credited as a co-producer.

Lyrics of “Happy”

Whether or not NF is mainstream is a matter of perspective. But one theory as to why his projects tend to do well is because listeners are actually able to understand and relate to what he’s saying.

NF, with songs like “Happy”, can perhaps be classified most accurately as an emo rapper. But instead engaging in metaphorical wordplay of putting an emphasis on his personal actions, the lyrical focus of this song is rather on the more generally-applicable psychological aspects of being stricken with such mental-health issues such as depression and fear.

For instance, most of us know how it feels, as inferred in the first verse, not to have any palpable reason to be concernedly anxious but feels so nonetheless. We also understand, as put forth in the second verse, how psychologically burdensome regretting past actions can be.

So all lyrics considered, what we are met with here is NF portraying a character whose present anxiety is obviously sourced in past mistakes, not only in terms of his own actions but also “traumas” he has experienced, which unfortunately have left a lasting impression. 

Both this character’s intrapersonal and interpersonal life are less-than-ideal, regardless of whatever material success or what have you that the vocalist is experiencing on the surface. Indeed the situation is getting so bad that now, after “a couple years”, he is compelled to reach out to the Most High, seeking rectification. 

Or viewed from a different angle, the narrator has now firmly come to the conclusion that he cannot win this psychological war on his own, i.e. without intervention from a Higher Power.

“Living in my agony
Watching my self-esteem go up in flames, acting like I don’t
Care what anyone else thinks
When I know truthfully that that’s the furthest thing from how I
Feel, but I’m too proud to open up and ask ya
To pick me up and pull me out this hole I’m trapped in
The truth is I need help, but I just can’t imagine (Who)
Who I’d be if I was happy”

I’m not Alone

“I am battling major depression and anxiety. For me, dealing with these issues can be overwhelming. I often struggle with low motivation as I dwell on past mistakes and regrets. ‘HAPPY’ is one of only a few songs which truly convey that it’s okay to be struggling, and that I’m not alone in this difficult place I find myself in.

It’s comforting to know that others who are also facing challenges can be a source of light in our darkest moments, and we can support each other in finding even the smallest glimmer of happiness, even if we don’t fully comprehend it.”

– Jorge