Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Pursuit of Happiness” by Lissie
“Pursuit of Happiness” is a track off of Lissie’s second studio album, Catching a Tiger. The song was released in 2010 and has gone on to become one of her most successful singles to date.
The upbeat tempo and entrancing lyrics of “Pursuit of Happiness” fight against a much deeper, sorrowful message throughout. The main themes center around loss, heartache, and pain. The narrator is desperate to find comfort and refuge in someone, anyone, but is unable to make connection and instead has to find solace in the pursuit of happiness.
The chorus reflects how hard it can be to stay hopeful when all one feels is despair – “I can’t stop / Til I reach the other side / Way out of the depths of doubt / The pursuit of happiness.” Here, Lissie beautifully captures the struggle to keep trying in the face of adversity.
As the song continues, the narrator reflects on the passing of time – “This same or any different day / The hours pass I will have my say.” The mention of passing time and persistent trying indicate that the narrator is resilient, even if hope is growing thin. Her determination to keep going is further reinforced in the bridge – “It don’t matter little I may feel / I have to make it real / Fight my way through it”.
Although the narrator is facing hardship, her resilience shines through the song. Her unwavering pursuit of happiness, despite her sadness, is both touching and inspiring. Her refusal to give up and her determination to keep pressing on serve as a call to action for us to practice perseverance and find gratitude in the little things.