Cover art for Unhappy by OutKast

Unhappy

Produced by

Sep. 23, 20031 viewer48.7K views

Unhappy Lyrics

[Intro: Big Boi]
Drowning in the gray cell to dwell in earthly hell
A pimp warrior fell
(Fell, uh, uh, uh)

One-two, Sir Lucious L. Left Foot in the motherfuckin' booth
Lucious, Lu— Lucious
Sir Lucious Left Foot
Has just entered


[Chorus: Debra Killings & Sleepy Brown]
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked

[Verse 1: Big Boi]
First rule in this thang, never let 'em see you sweat
Never let 'em be a threat, and your feelings you must protect 'em
As well as your rectum
, must keep self out of harm
Out of danger's way, let strangers play while you graduate and move on
True happiness is not acquired and you won't find it for sale
Unless you're in jail and trying to get a bail bondsman to go on and post that bail
You would be happy as hell, you thought you was happy until that court date came
Couldn't abort that case
, nobody to take your place
Family home is at stake, too late to escape and get on the run
[Chorus: Debra Killings & Sleepy Brown]
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked

[Verse 2: Big Boi, Sleepy Brown & Debra Killings]
Once upon a rhyme, one time when I was a child
Flip that smile upside down now

When I found out that Santa Claus was nothing more than Vanilli
It was silly, 'cause my mom and pop, they worked for every penny
Didn't have many, but had enough to get by
Enough to get fly, only to start the New Year off in debt
Now you forget your happiness came and went
Like mom and dad's relationship, take a trip, you bring potato chips
I'll bring the hot sauce (Hot sauce)


[Chorus: Debra Killings & Sleepy Brown]
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
[Verse 3: Big Boi & Debra Killings]
1979, Dirty South, local lounge
Flip that smile upside down now
I never thought that alcohol could ease the notion of the sadness
Now what done used to be a happy home done turned into some bad shit
Graphic language, mild violence and the silence
Of the the fams
, no members to remember
But I know just who I am, I've grown into a man
And like my nigga said, we executed the game plan
'Cause we got that hot sauce

[Chorus: Debra Killings & Sleepy Brown, Debra Killings]
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked (Flip that smile upside down now)

[Outro: Debra Killings & Sleepy Brown, Debra Killings]
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked (Flip that smile upside down now)
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done
And your goose is cooked (Flip that smile upside down now)
Might as well have fun, 'cause your happiness is done

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About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

These lyrics are so sparse yet so dense. He has several messages intertwined in this short song. It’s a message to all of the so-called thugs who think that it’s “summertime and the living and easy”. These are the ones who are out there on the streets making quick money and living the high life, with ‘friends’ and material possessions. All is well is until they get caught. It’s too late when they realize that when all of those things disappear, they are left to face the music…alone.

He’s also telling us, by sharing his violent and sad childhood, that life is going to throw several curve balls at you. Instead of crumbling under the devastation and sadness, you must persevere through it all.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did OutKast say about "Unhappy"?
Genius Answer

Why was this question asked 3 times?

What did OutKast say about "Unhappy"?
Genius Answer

Why was this question asked 3 times?

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Mixing Engineer
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
Assistant Recording Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Recorded At
Stankonia Recording (Atlanta, GA)
Release Date
September 23, 2003
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