Well, I’ve been pacing this room for forty hours
Crawling up the wall and trying not to call
And I saw you walking in a supermarket aisle
I didn’t say a word ’cause you had the biggest smile
And I’ve been thinking of you in the morning times
You woke me up so soft, I forgot the world ain’t kind
I’d pull you in and you’d kiss me through a grin
And you’d say you missed me when you were busy sleeping
But what if I said, happy instead
Is the way that I reckon it should be
And if you’d call, you’d say that you’re okay
And I’d be wishing I was dead
‘Cause you’re happy instead, happy instead
And I’ve been dreaming of the life we woulda had
Happy at times but mostly just mad
Maybe it all worked out, maybe it’d been fine
But every day your smile ain’t showing seems a waste of time
So what if I said, happy instead
Is the way that I reckon it should be
And if you’d call, you’d say that you’re okay
And I’d be wishing I was dead
‘Cause you’re happy instead, happy instead
And it’s been ten years, I haven’t called you once
But you called last night and my child up and jumped
He asked who you were and you did the same
Handed me the phone and I couldn’t recall your name
What if I said, happy instead
Is the way that I reckon I should be
And if you’d call, you’d hear that I was okay
And you’d be wishing you was dead
‘Cause I’m happy instead, happy instead
Oh, I’m happy instead
Happy instead
What if I said, happy instead
Is the way that I reckon I should be
And if you call, you’d hear that I’m okay
And you’d be wishing you was dead
‘Cause I’m happy instead
Bittersweet Reflections on Letting Go
“Happy Instead” by Zach Bryan captures the tender ache of moving on from a lost love. Through vivid storytelling, the lyrics invite listeners into the quiet moments of heartbreak—pacing rooms, haunting memories, and unexpected encounters in everyday places. Bryan’s words reveal the struggle between longing for the past and accepting the happiness of someone you once loved, even when it’s not shared. The song’s refrain, “happy instead,” becomes a mantra for choosing peace over pain, even as nostalgia lingers.
The Weight of Time and Change
The passage of time is keenly felt, with ten years slipping by before a fateful phone call stirs old emotions. The narrative is honest about the difficulty of truly moving on, yet there’s a quiet strength in embracing change and finding contentment. Bryan’s storytelling resonates with anyone who has wondered what might have been, yet recognizes the beauty in letting go.
Song Credits
- Artist: Zach Bryan
- Songwriters: Zach Bryan
- Release Year: 2024