In the summer of 1967 the English group Small Faces shared their brand of “happy rock” with “Itchycoo Park” a song title that even sounds like it would be a happy destination. How did they get so happy? They got high.
Almost 50 years later, Los Angeles based alt rockers Weathers contribute to the genre with their song “Happy Pills,” a song with a title that is self-explanatory.
“Back in the day” we Boomers got high to have fun, get mellow, maybe expand our consciousness, We took our cues from songs like “Itchycoo Park” with lines like:
It’s all too beautiful
And
I feel inclined to blow my mind
However, “Happy Pills” – by, for, and about millennials– makes it clear that their high isn’t for fun or insight or connection, it’s to escape the reality of their generation: student debt, a slim job market, global instability. These “happy pills” are to make it through the day, the week, a year, a lifetime.
We can go to my house if you wanna
Hang out in my bedroom, lose your honor
Even if they find us, we’re apathetic
And they can’t take that away
Despite those downer lyrics, the music is incredibly catch and bouncy. Very danceable.
Summer 2016 is Weathers moment: “Happy Pills” is getting significant airplay right now on Alternative music radio and the four members are touring –last month they performed at the legendary Lollapalooza in Chicago.