Which Way To Happy

The Magic Numbers' song "Which Way To Happy" delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the search for happiness. The lyrics open with a call to awaken and engage with life, hinting at the struggle to find one's place and purpose. The lines "Tell me a joke and I will love you / Pour me a drink and I'm yours" suggest a longing for simple, immediate connections, yet there's an underlying sense of disillusionment. The narrator admits to not being able to lie to anyone who has experienced genuine love, indicating a deep respect for authentic emotions.

The chorus, with its poignant question, "And which way to happy / And which way to hell," captures the confusion and desperation of someone who feels lost. The imagery of being thrown out of bed symbolizes a sudden, jarring end to a relationship, leaving the narrator questioning their direction in life. The mention of heaven and the preference for being "a bad bad oh" reflects a skepticism about conventional notions of happiness and morality, suggesting a desire to break free from societal expectations.

As the song progresses, the narrator expresses a wish to return home, symbolized by being in a suitcase, and a yearning for a guiding light. The repeated plea, "God, can you hear me?" underscores a sense of isolation and a search for divine or external guidance. The refrain, "I don't wanna have to be the one who has to lose you," repeated multiple times, highlights the pain of impending loss and the reluctance to let go. The song's melancholic tone and introspective lyrics resonate with anyone who has grappled with the dualities of love and loss, happiness and despair, and the quest for meaning in the midst of emotional turmoil.