An Analysis of Happiness

The Pursuit of Happiness is an empathetic theme that speaks to everyone. To one

degree or another every human being is searching on a journey trying to obtain happiness
through different medians. Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi better known as Kid Cudi
captures his journey to happiness excellently with help from musical groups Ratatat and
MGMT. Through Ratatats engrossing beats, MGMTs clever chorus, and Kid Cudis
mysterious and equally luminous verses the listener is taken through a story that could
only be told by the Man on the Moon. When first hearing this song some may mistake it
as just another catchy party song. In actuality after truly listening to Cudis lyrics one
discovers that there are deeper layers that heimplements rhetorically. The music is
complimented by the visual appeal of attractive women, confetti, and a superfluous
amount of alcohol all intertwined with subtle nods to the shallow and unfulfilling aspects
that partying has to offer.
Kid Cudi, a twenty six year old artist from Cleveland, Ohio is one of Hip-Hops
persevering veterans as he continues to separate himself from the stereotypical arrogant
rapper persona with tracks like The Prayer and Solo Dolo. He introduced himself to
the mainstream audience as the lonely stoner in his hit single Day N Night and has
held onto this ego despite the wealth and temptation that come with the lime light. When
he was only eleven years old his Dad lost his life to cancer. With three Grammy
nominations under his belt, Kid Cudi has quite a versatile list of collaborations that range
from features with hip hop kings Snoop Dog and Jay Z to the alternative artist through
Vampire Weekend and Band of Horses.

Cudis ability to transcend genres of music has given him the ability to reel in a diverse
fan group that are not necessarily your typical hip hop enthusiasts. His songs are
becoming exponentially more popular and can be heard blasting out of frat houses or
whistled by a lonely stoner on his way to class. His audience is the American youth,
specifically anyone who feels like they dont belong. This is ironic because this loner
theme has created a huge unified fan base.
Verse 1:
Crush A Bit; Little Bit; Roll It Up; Take A Hit
Feelin Lit Feelin Like 2 Am Summer Night
I Dont Care; Hand On The Wheel; Drivin Drunk; Im Doin My Thing
Rollin The Midwest Side And Out Livin My Life Getting Out Dreams
People Told Me Slow My Road Im Screaming Out Fuck That
Imma Do Just What I Want Lookin Ahead No Turnin Back
If I Fall If I Die Know I Lived It To The Fullest
If I Fall If I Die Know I Lived And Missed Some Bullets

The two verses in this song take the audience down two completely different
trains of thought. The first verse as always Like any first verse it paints the premise for
the rest of the song in this case a deceptively flashy mainstream hit. The confetti clad
ladies pour drinks having the time of their lives as they surround the table that Kid Cudi
resides at. He is the focal point of the shot rapping on a decorated thrown while everyone
else around the table in the room goes into slow motion. He is the only thing in the room
that stays in regular speed. After a brief reference to how he is going to drive inebriated
doing his thing. Referencing his Mid West upbringings and his dedication to dreams

while clearly stating his individuality in lines five and six. He finishes the verse by
assuring the listeners that he has been lucky but is lifting life to its upmost potential. The
closing statements hint at some sort of personal moral integrity of staying true to himself.
It is a simple catchy verse that draws the viewer in. His confidence and swag is
established, as the listener now knows that Kid Cudi is the man based of the fine women,
wine, and flow he raps with.
Chorus:
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be
gold. I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good.
The chorus is sung by the masters of electronic, MGMT. Their melodious hook is
the transition period in the song. From the cocky man who is gonna get it to a deep
haunted dreamer. Drinking, drugs, and acting reckless can appear shiny and appealing,
especially when everyone is desperate to find happiness, but the partying life comes at a
large cost. The last part of his chorus hints at a notion that this pursuit of happiness has
some sort of final destination and that everything will be great once it is obtained. Kid
Cudi sings along with the song as the picture toggles in and out of a very nicely furnished
room full of different people pouring drinks and laughing. The mood is incredibly
lighthearted despite the contradicting darker statements that are repeated in the chorus.
The chorus also utilizes ethos. Fellow star Drake sings along with the chorus even
though his voice is not actually in it. His presence immediately gives Kid Cudis pursuit
magnitude because the smooth incredibly successful artist that women pine over is on the
same journey. It also shows that Kid Cudi enjoys the finer things in life. There is a reason

that smashed cans of natural light arent seen in the place of champagne and wine. His
elite status is evoked through his stylish ray ban glasses and black leather jacket as well.
Without saying a word he utilizes clothing, company, and cosmetics to appeal to his
audience as a stylish classy individual.
Second Verse:
Tell Me What You Know About Dreamin Dreamin
You Dont Really Know About Nothin Nothin
Tell Me What You Know About Them Night Terrors Every Night
5 Am Cold Sweats Wakin Up To The Skies
Tell Me What You Know About Dreams; Dreams
Tell Me What You Know About Night Terrors; Nothin
You Dont Really Care About The Trials Of Tomorrow
Rather Lay Awake In A Path Full Of Sorrow

Kid Cudi takes on a dark persona as he begins rapping again with everyone else in
slow motion surrounded by people yet ultimately sitting alone on a barstool. He is openly
criticizing his audience on their ignorance. It is kind of sad that this song is played at
parties while people prove Cudi right. They are so engrossed and trapped in the
hedonistic illusions of earthly pleasure that they can not contemplate tomorrows trials.
They are not dreamers like Cudi and just remain stagnant in their self-pity. This second
verse does a complete one eighty in comparison to the first verse, showcasing a personal
struggle between two of Cudis conflicting egos.
At the conclusion of the song Kid Cudi repeats the addictive chorus. He holds his

cross chain necklace up and repeats everything that shine aint always golden. This
loaded statement criticizes the promises of finding happiness through wealth and religion.
When he finishes his bottle of wine in the party he smashes the bottle to the ground and
staggers to the bathroom. He goes into the bathroom muttering in the background why
did I drink so much and smoke so much with a tone of clear regret. As the room begins
spinning he closes his eyes and rests his head and back up against the cold tile wall.
He represses tears in this moment of enlightenment and opens his eyes to another
version of himself struggling to get off of the bathroom floor. The listener witnesses his
egos collide as he stares into a mirror and doesnt recognize himself. Eventually he is
forced to put his head down due to shame and confusion. Acknowledging the emptiness
of this scene and the disappointment involved in the end of his night. The song comes full
circle here and touches upon his entire audience. For those searching for a party song
they stop listening long before this point and just hear the drone of the beat over blaring
speakers. This final part is a deep insight to the true artist Cudi is, alone and in a dark
emotional state struggling for happiness amidst the temptations of earthly pleasures.
The diverse messages in this song make the beginning statements intentionally
contradictions of what he discovers. He implements rhetoric masterfully by appealing to
a vast audience at different stages all on the pursuit if happiness. He successfully creates
a song that will stick in the back of the listeners head for some time and when one
finally does find a moment to truly listen they can reflect on the underlying message of
the song. The marketability of this song is unmatched through the catchy beat and
acoustics however it is Kid Cudis internal struggle that makes this song worth reflecting
upon.