Being Happy

Pharell Williams‘ song ‘Happy‘ is among the 2014 Oscar nominations for Best Song. It’s an upbeat, cheerful little ditty about, guess what, being happy. ‘Cos I’m happy’ sings Mr W ‘like a room without a roof’. Well, Mr Williams, yes, I can see your simile does convey a sense of longed-for freedom and a lack of restrictions. However, ‘to have a roof over one’s head’ is also an expression of desired shelter. Try offering a homeless person ‘a room without a roof’ and see if their faces lights up. I think not.