Happy Rhodes
Happy Tyler Rhodes (born Kimberley Tyler Rhodes on 9 August 1965) is an American singer, songwriter, and electronic musician with a four-octave vocal range, who has released 11 albums since 1986.
Quotes
[edit]- The first time my brothers saw me, when I was a day or two old and still in the hospital, my brother Mark could not pronounce the name "Kimberley," and I was an especially happy baby, so he decided it would be easier to call me "Happy." From that moment on, my family members never used the name Kimberley. I was forced, however, to use my given name while attending school. As soon as I turned sixteen, my name was legally changed to Happy Tyler Rhodes. As far as I'm concerned, it's the ony name I've ever had. When people ask me if it's my real name, I always say "yes."
- On her lifelong use of the name "Happy", in "The Happy Rhodes Interview" in Homeground #48 (Summer 1993)
- I'm thrilled that people can get something out of my music. I have to attribute that to integrity and honesty. I've found that people aren't really as different as they sometimes seem. We all have joy and tragedy in our lives. So it only follows that if I write something from my heart and stay true to myself, others will easily identify.
- "The Happy Rhodes Interview" in Homeground #48 (Summer 1993)
- I wrote and recorded music for many years, thinking I was only pleasing myself. The fact that so many people have appreciated the music, makes my life incredibly rewarding and full.
- Message at the Happy Rhodes fan Guestbook
Rhodes Volume I (1986)
[edit]Why couldn't someone have patience for me?
Why couldn't someone be wise to my fears?
Tell me why couldn't somebody cry for me
This time?And if I should die, who'll be the first to cry?
- "The First To Cry" - Live performance New Haven, CT (4 April 2003)
- I'll be over your head
Ecto
Now don't be afraid
Ecto
Don't reach out
Ecto
Just be glad that I exist
Ecto- "Ecto"
- When the rain came down, I was older than the earth.
I could die right now, and plan another birth
Anytime I choose.
I am in peace, in love, in harmony,
when the rain comes- "When The Rain Came Down" (bonus track on 1992 CD) - Live performance at The Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA (9 May 1996) - Visually enhanced fan video of same performance
When the rain came down, I was standing in the green
My soul was touched by every tree that my eyes could see
I am in peace, in love, in harmony
when the rain comes
downWhen the rain came down — melded with my tears
When the rain came down — flow away the fears
When the rain came down — bigger than the sea
When the rain came down — then came me.- "When The Rain Came Down"
- Every step I take, I am alive. I am Life.
- "When The Rain Came Down"
I dreamed I was an animal
In a human world;
Now when I hear big sounds
I cry like a little girl.I'm talking about connections
Between here and there;
All things exist at once
Seems more than we can bear.- "All Things (Mia ia io)" - Live performance at The Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA (15 March 1997)
- Tell me all the plans
You have for the great beyond,
Will you be physical again
Or be a cosmic vagabond?- "All Things (Mia ia io)"
- I am transparent
An open book;
There's no choice in the matter
But the breath from my mind
Is living air,
And the notes from my heart
Are what I share.
Words weren't made for cowards.- "Words Weren't Made For Cowards" - album version · World Cafe version
- There's not much to hide behind
We can see for a mile
Without our eyes.
I can see through a smile
To any lie.- "Words Weren't Made For Cowards"
- Do I have to dig? Do I have to prod?
Reach into your chest
And pull your feelings out?
Are you dancing dead?
Or maybe walking toast?
If you feel anything
Be brave
Come forth
Let it show.
Tell me what d'you think of life?
Tell me do you think at all?- "Words Weren't Made For Cowards"
- My time's too short to waste on
Things you say without your brain.
Will you paint works of art
When you speak?
When you open your mouth
Will I weep?- "Words Weren't Made For Cowards"
- As I walk through fire
I am shielded from the flame
Although the guilty parties
Take no blame.
Don't try to tell me there's no
Reason for any moment in time;
Every memory of mine
Those years are lines of
Color on my face.
My past is warpaint.
The past is warpaint.- "Warpaint"
- We are the number one offender
Of specieism and yet
Here we are reaching out for aliens
Looking for our salvation.
Pity our emptiness
Save our souls.- "Save Our Souls" - Live performance at The Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA (15 March 1997)
- Come on down and see our
Zoos and refugee camps
Ain't it worth your time?
Pity our emptiness
Save our souls.- "Save Our Souls"
- He is broken, far from free
Words were spoken, 'tween him and me:
"I had friends, yes, I was admired
I'm so old now, feel so tired."
Well he walks to the gate and he looks behind
at life in rewind
And wishes he had known these things
while still alive.- "Temporary And Eternal" - Live performance, later used on the compilation album The Keep (16 May 1995)
- "I can see the purpose now and all I've learned
All the roads and where they've turned
I can see, I can see everything, the total truth
I'm ready for another youth."
Going to fly- "Temporary And Eternal"
Building the Colossus (1994)
[edit]With all the confidence I have
It seems I could go forever
But forever has no rest-stops
And my endurance sometimes failsHold me, hold me, hold me in your arms
Can you tell me how I'm gonna make it- "Hold Me" - Live performance at the Tin Angel (10 May 1996)
Many Worlds Are Born Tonight (1998)
[edit]- If you stare into a flame
You'll get an eye full of energy
If you write your nightscapades
You'll get a dawn full of promises- "Many Worlds Are Born Tonight" - Live performance at The Tin Angel (24 July 1999)
- Turn the lights down for a while
And have a rock with the solitude
Many worlds are born tonight
Because the needy is everyone.- "Many Worlds Are Born Tonight"
I wish I could promise I'll
Be there when you dream
I wish that when you spoke to me
I'd know what you meanBut you can't bring me comfort
By filling up my eyes
They don't stay dry
Hard as I try
Can't figure why
Made I this choice- "If Wishes Were Horses, How Beggars Would Ride" - Live performance (29 June 1999)
- Where're you going Ra?
Take me with you Ra...
You're such a busy God
I wish you could stay
I only want to play and play
But you're such a busy god
and I'm such a mortal Ra- "Ra Is A Busy God" - Live performance at New Haven, CT (4 April 2003)
- Oh, even the leaves laugh
As you spin and tumble through
We explode in color
All for your honor- "Ra Is A Busy God"
- Even the leaves laugh
'cause they have what I have
Reach from the best tree
So he can see me
And with your face
With your face comes laughter
And with your touch
And with your touch comes joy.- "Ra Is A Busy God"
- That I am one and many is at the heart of my dis-ease
Yet I am one and many- "One And Many"
- I am skilled now, at casting iron
To make a hardened bed for my heavy world- "One And Many"
- Can't stop flinching, everything is lethal
Looking for a hero to get me outta this
Can't stop flinching, tell me that you're ok
Looking for approval and one last kiss.- "One And Many"
- I want to go wherever you go because
all the colors are brighter there
and there is more magic in the air
wherever you go, here and hereafter.- "Here And Hereafter" - Live performance, Santa Cruz, CA (9 June 2001)
She walked down the aisle with all eyes on her and she glowed
Someone chose her above all other women they had known
I can only wonder what it must be like to be
so perfect in a lover's eyes, the only one they seeWell, it’s never been me, the chosen one
It’s never been me
If ever I see a chosen one I feel ugly
Everybody sees me as a solitary entity
but I long to be important to somebodyIt's a love of fairy tales that drives this guilty wish
To walk serenely in front of family to collect my kiss
and though this notion is as flawed as any I have learned
I'd like to think that like the others, it's something I deserve- "Chosen One"
- When the moon comes up, I go down
For the first time
There’s a garden deep, deep in my heart
But it’s blossomed for the last time- "Fall"
External links
[edit]- Happy Rhodes - an authorized fansite
- Authorized Facebook page
- Happy Rhodes on YouTube
- Authorized song samples · interviews & rarities · live concert clips by song
- Ectophiles' Guide to Happy Rhodes
- Ecto fansite
- MySpace fan page authorized by Rhodes
- Profile at Auntiesocialmusic.com
- Discocraphy at Rhodesongs (streaming audio)
- Rhodeshows - A fan site listing Happy's performances
- Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music
- Profile with the Security Project