Happy Rhodes

thumb|right|Every step I take, I am alive. I am Life. 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 thumb|right|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 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) 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) Ecto (1987) thumb|right|I'll be over your head Ecto thumb|right|I am in peace, in love, in harmony when the rain comes down. thumb|right|When the rain came down — then came me. 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" Warpaint (1991) thumb|right|I'm talking about connections Between here and there; All things exist at once Seems more than we can bear. thumb|right|Words weren't made for cowards. thumb|right|If you feel anything Be brave Come forth Let it show. thumb|right|My time's too short to waste on Things you say without your brain. thumb|right|My past is warpaint. The past is warpaint. 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" Equipoise (1993) thumb|right|Here we are reaching out for aliens Looking for our salvation. Pity our emptiness Save our souls. thumb|right|Well he walks to the gate and he looks behind at life in rewind And wishes he had known these things while still alive. 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) With all the confidence I have It seems I could go forever But forever has no rest-stops And my endurance sometimes fails Hold 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) thumb|right|With your face comes laughter And with your touch And with your touch comes joy. 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 mean But 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" Find Me (2007) thumb|right| That I am one and many is at the heart of my dis-ease Yet I am one and many… thumb|right|I am skilled now, at casting iron To make a hardened bed for my heavy world … 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 see Well, it’s never been me, the chosen one It’s never been me If ever I see a chosen one I feel ugly "Chosen One" - Live performance at The Tin Angel, Philadelphia PA (29 January 2005) Everybody sees me as a solitary entity but I long to be important to somebody It'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 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 Category:Guitarists from the United States Category:Women guitarists Category:Keyboardists Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:Alternative rock singers Category:Singer-songwriters from the United States Category:Women singers from the United States Category:People from New York (state)