Song Stories: The Maccabees: Something Like Happiness

Released in 2015 as a part of their critically acclaimed final album 'Marks to Prove It' "Something Like Happiness is a track that immediately strikes a chord with its soaring melodies and introspective lyrics. While its title might suggest a song focused purely on joy, "Something Like Happiness" delves into the complexity of what happiness really means.

Capturing not only the moments of bliss, but the contradictions and uncertainties that we face in the pursuit of being happy.

The song starts off gently, with a soft, lilting guitar riff that gradually builds momentum. By the time the chorus hits, it bursts into a euphoric, almost cathartic explosion of sound. The contrast between the song’s quiet beginning and the high-energy crescendo mirrors the emotional roller coaster of life itself ups and downs, moments of tranquility followed by bursts of intensity. The band masterfully layers atmospheric guitars with punchy drums, creating a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. It's almost as if the music itself is telling the story of chasing something intangible, elusive, yet always within reach.

It's one of my favourite pieces of music that the band have ever done, the song takes you on a journey , that is constantly changing. 

Lyrically, "Something Like Happiness" speaks to the complexity of human emotion, where happiness is something more than just an end goal. he line "Something like happiness is the way it always feels" suggests that happiness is not a fixed state of being, but more like an ever-shifting experience. The chorus, with its repeated line "And it's fine, to feel like / Something like happiness," feels like an acknowledgment that true happiness might never be fully attained, but that's okay. The song doesn’t promise a permanent state of joy but rather celebrates the little moments

One of the most compelling aspects of the song is its acceptance of life’s imperfections. It touches on the idea that happiness is not a constant, nor does it need to be. There's beauty in the ordinary, in moments that might seem mundane on the surface but hold a deeper sense of contentment.
The song suggests that we don't need to force happiness to fit a certain mold. Happiness can be the quiet contentment of a simple moment or the bittersweet reflection on a time gone by. We can find happiness in the most random and uncertain places. 

It's a song about the journey not the destination, offering a more compassionate and realistic view to the listener.

The song is one of the highlights of the bands final record, a perfect representation of the band. In August 2017  played their final shows, bringing an end to a 14-year journey that had left an indelible mark on the British music scene. The announcement of this breakup came a year the release of their fourth album ''Marks to Prove It'  which featured "Something Like Happiness".

 In a heartfelt statement, the band explained that the decision was mutual and amicable, not the result of internal strife or creative differences. They felt they had achieved what they set out to do, and it was time to move on while they were still creatively fulfilled.

"Something Like Happiness" sounds like the band at their peak, it is a emotionally charged and yet beautiful song. Written, recorded and played by some brilliant musicians. The band played the song as the last song of the main set, at their final shows. With a little help from Marcus Mumford and Mystery Jets.

The perfect ending to what had been an illustrious career. A band who were proud of where they had come from and what they had achieved. They had found their happiness. 

Thank you for reading x