Happyland
Seizing Joy Amid Tragedy
Lyrics
It was on a summer night, she says, a year ago today
Reflecting on a summer night a year ago
Packed, the place was packed
The venue was crowded
The chicos lookin' for some play
Guys looking for romantic or sexual encounters
He wore a satin shirt and said a prayer to Yemayá
A man wearing a special shirt, praying to Yemayá (Yoruba deity)
And he was calm and handsome
The man was calm and attractive
As they squeezed through to the bar
Squeezing through to the bar
The girls were in tight dresses, just like sweets in cellophane
Girls dressed provocatively
Everyone was there
A general sense of a lively gathering
Sabrosón from Spanish Harlem
Sabrosón from Spanish Harlem (possibly a person's name)
And luz from Camaguey
Luz from Camaguey (possibly a person's name)
In her hand a single rose, and in her mouth a razorblade
A girl with a rose and a razorblade in her mouth
Hot, the place was hot
The venue was hot and overcrowded
Too many people to be safe
Unsafe due to excessive people
Who cared
Emphasizing the carefree attitude despite risks
It was our night
Celebrating their night
Watch us seize the day
Expressing seizing the day and enjoying it
And dance it all away...
Dancing away the troubles
Bailamos, esa noche, bailamos
We danced, that night, we danced
In Happyland
Specifically in Happyland
It was on a summer night, she says - yes, it was a year ago
Repeating the setting from a year ago
Hot, the place was hot
Hot and crowded venue again
but where else were they gonna go
No alternative places to go
And then she heard the screams
Hearing screams and seeing smoke
And saw the smoke come down
Describing the tragic turn of events
And then it really turned into the hottest club in town
Turning tragedy into the hottest club due to fire
She remembers all the firetrucks
Recalling firetrucks arriving
And that maldito TV crew
Disliking the TV crew covering the incident
And he, he didn't make it
Acknowledging someone didn't survive
So, "mi amor, this song's for you"
Dedicating the song to the deceased
She's got red shoes on her feet
Describing a woman with red shoes and a smile
A nd a red smile on her face
Indicating an upbeat appearance despite tragedy
And people say she's loca, to go back into that place
People consider her crazy to return to the place
Who cared
Reiterating the carefree attitude despite adversity
This is my night
Emphasizing individual ownership of the night
Watch me seize the day
Expressing the determination to seize the day
And dance it all away...
Dancing away troubles despite challenges
Bailaré, esta noche, bailaré
I will dance, tonight, I will dance
In Happyland
Repeating the setting, dancing in Happyland
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