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Manuel Flores

Professor Batty

English 102

18 September 2019

Chasing Euphoria

The standard way of thinking about music has it that it brings joy, excitement, and overall

a feel-good vibe to those listening. That, though, isn’t always the case. Titles of songs, such as

Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” would have people believe it’s a song about having a good

time and partying. Even the lyrics could indicate such things, but I tend to see it in a different

manner. I believe the song goes deeper than what most might think of it as.

So, if the song isn’t simply about partying and enjoying life, then what else could it

possibly be saying? The lyrics right at the start “Crush a bit, little bit/roll it up, take a hit/ feeling

lit, feeling right” (Lines 1-3), seem to suggest Cudi is simply enjoying himself, getting high, and

chilling. Or is he? I don’t see it as something so simple. He goes on to say “2 a.m., Summer

night, I don’t care/ Hands on the wheel/ driving drunk, I’m doing my thang” (4-6). For most

people, driving drunk isn’t something you brag about and advertise to the world, but to someone

who has nothing to lose it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. This song is coming from the

perspective of a mind that isn’t in its proper state, which takes me to the next point.

After listening to the song multiple times, I came to the realization that this song is

indeed not a party anthem, but rather a depression anthem in a way. Not that it glorifies

depression or what comes with it, but rather addresses what people, including Cudi himself, do to

cope with the struggles. Indulging in drugs seems to be the reoccurring theme throughout the

song and how it helps Cudi to forget his troubles. Unfortunately, this “solution” comes at a cost
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which is described in the following line: “Tell me what you know about the night terrors every

night/5 a.m. cold sweat, waking up to the sky” (25-26). As a result of the drug usage, Cudi finds

himself having trouble sleeping and relaxing when he’s not on drugs. Personally, I feel like this

speaks to lots of people who simply try and get by in life doing whatever it takes to feel just a

sliver of happiness. Unfortunately, short term solutions such as drug and alcohol abuse only lead

to more pain, loneliness, and bitterness. For Cudi, along with many others, the drugs are not just

a want in order to obtain happiness; at this point, it’s a need. He questions his decisions at the

end of the song “Why did I drink so much and smoke so much, oh” (52), knowing his decisions

are foolish but finding it hard to find other options regardless.

By now, it seems clear that Cudi’s mind is in a dark place and while drug and alcohol

abuse seem to be one way to escape, denial seems to be another. He comes off as so desperate to

be happy that it’s as if he kids himself into thinking he just needs that one thing in life that he’s

missing in order to be alright. “I’m on the pursuit of happiness and I know/ Everything that

shines ain’t always gonna be gold/I’ll be fine once I get it, I’ll be good” (17-19). He treats this

“one thing” like gold at the end of the rainbow. Even with his own denial, he still understands

that even his own thought that one thing will make him happy is not entirely true saying

“Everything that shines ain’t always gonna be gold” (18). He knows that should he reach what he

thinks he desperately needs; it might not be what he’s making it out to be. That same line could

also be in reference to the drugs and alcohol. Just because they give that short term feeling of

euphoria doesn’t mean it’s actually helping him; it’s quite the opposite, actually.

From an opposing point of view, the song could simply come off as a glorification of

alcohol and drug usage. A song about a man who enjoys being drugged out of his mind and

simply partying all day. It is fair given the lyrics and the way he brags about driving drunk and
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doing his “thang”. This is definitely possible, and it’s also understandable to draw that

conclusion just from looking at the lyrics. That’s the beauty of music, though. It’s not just about

the lyrics; it’s about the combination of the lyrics paired with the slow melody and quiet,

somewhat monotone voice. The guitar riffs and slow beat all come together and create something

much more meaningful than if it were just the lyrics alone. Cudi reflects on his life and how he

has chosen to deal with it, which could be a voice for many others who have gone down the same

path. You can almost feel his sorrow, almost; but you just have to settle for the goosebumps it

gives you instead. “You don’t really care about the trials of tomorrow/rather lay awake in the bed

full of sorrow” (29-30). He takes an introspective look into his lifestyle and the choices made to

continue his deteriorating cycle on his way to “happiness”. All these different elements put

together make it hard to believe that this is a “get wasted” anthem that means nothing other than

get drunk, get high, and have fun. That’s not the feeling the song puts out.

In conclusion, music should make you feel something. That “something” will not always

be pure joy, but that’s okay. Music should help you relate in more than just way; if you’re sad, it

feels good to listen to a song and know you’re not the only one. If you’re angry, it feels great to

listen to music that can calm you down and relax you. In this case, Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of

Happiness” let’s people know that they’re not the only ones who have gone down the road of

self-destruction looking for a way to peace. It goes way deeper than just drugs and alcohol and

partying. Even to those who refuse to dissect music can just listen to the song and agree on its

greatness. I think that’s what makes this song poetic; the ability to make anyone feel something

when listening. Happiness or relatability, at the end of the day the song welcomes all.
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Works Cited

Mescudi, Scott. Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare). Man On the Moon: The End of Day,

GOOD Music, 2009, Track 13. iTunes, https://music.apple.com/us/album/pursuit-of-happiness-

nightmare-feat-mgmt-ratatat/1440744775?i=1440745399.
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Appendix A

1.Crush a bit, little bit

2.Roll it up, take a hit

3.Feeling lit, feeling right

4.2 A-M, summer night, I don't care

5.Hand on the wheel

6.Driving drunk I'm doing my thang

7.Rolling in the Midwest side now

8.Living my life, getting our dreams

9.People told me slow my roll

10.I'm screaming out fuck that

11.I'm a do just what I want

12.Looking ahead no turning back

13.If I fall if I die

14.Know I lived it to the fullest

15.If I fall if I die

16.Know I lived and missed some bullets

17.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

18.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

19.I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

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20.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

21.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

22.I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

23.Tell me what you know about dreamin' (dreamin')

24.You ain't really know about nothin' (nothin')

25.Tell me what you know about the night terrors every night

26.5 A-M cold sweats, waking up to the sky

27.Tell me what you know about dreams (dreams)

28.Tell me what you know about night terrors nothin'

29.You don't really care about the trials of tomorrow

30.Rather lay awake in the bed full of sorrow

31.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

32.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

33.I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

34.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

35.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

36.I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

37.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

38.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

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39.I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

40.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

41.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

42.I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know

43.Everything that's shine ain't always gonna be gold (hey)

I'll be fine once I get it, get it in, I'll be good

44.Pursuit of happiness

45.Yeah, I'm a get it, I'll be, good

46.Ugh

47.Oh man

48.Oh alright

49.Oh, room is spinning, room is spinning

50.Pat, Zule, where, oh fuck

51.Oh my God

52.Why did I drink so much and smoke so much oh