Meaning of "Happiness" by Dance Gavin Dance

The lyrics of "Happiness" by Dance Gavin Dance delve into themes of guilt, regret, and the painful aftermath of losing someone. The song opens with the haunting image of the narrator drowning in a lake, emphasizing the suffocating weight of their emotions. The line "I only left her for a couple seconds, and now she's gone" suggests a tragic scenario where the narrator left someone briefly, only to return and find that person dead. This sudden loss intensifies their feelings of guilt and self-blame.

As the narrator wakes up and paces back and forth, they contemplate the possibility of moving away as a means of escaping the pain and the reminders of what they have lost. However, the question arises: what would moving away prove? The sense of guilt and anguish cannot be escaped, no matter where they go.

The mentioning of an answering machine plays a significant role in the lyrics. The narrator listens to it repeatedly, desperately longing to hear the voice of the deceased "one more time." This repetition reflects the desire to hold onto the memories and the connection they shared, even if it is just through the recorded sound of their voice. The answering machine becomes a symbol of what is lost and the inability to move forward.

The lyrics also touch on the narrator's struggle with faith and prayer. They question why they bother praying when it seems futile in the face of their guilt and the irreversible consequences of their actions. The repetition of the line "It's not your fault, that's what they all keep saying" suggests that others are trying to assure the narrator that they should not blame themself, but this reassurance rings hollow in the face of their overwhelming guilt.

The closing lines repeat the earlier image of drowning in a lake, reinforcing the emotional weight and helplessness experienced by the narrator. The repetition underscores the feeling of being trapped in their grief and inability to move on.

Overall, "Happiness" explores the profound impact of guilt, regret, and the struggles of overcoming loss. It delves into the complex emotions and questions that arise when one is confronted with the weight of their actions and the irreversible consequences that follow.