Close Reading

In the music videos by Kid Cudi the song “Pursuit of Happiness” entwines the audience’s emotions within its tone, imagery and voice that resonates throughout the song. A somber feeling of contentment and a longing for happiness develops as the song progresses and one lyric in particular conveys a message that seems to be common in popular culture. Cudi’s outlook on life becomes apparent in the lyrics, “If I fall, if I die, I know I lived it to the fullest. If I fall, if I die, I know I lived it missing bullets.” The two lines express a rebellious attitude and determination to pursue what he wants despite cultural norms that establish right from wrong. Within these lyrics Kid Cudi shows a realization of the fact that his lifestyle has risks. He parties, drinks, smokes and wouldn’t exactly qualify for perfect role model status. However, he understands this and although people in his life have tried to shoot down his socially unacceptable lifestyle, he remains true to himself and is willing to accept the consequences that might follow. This realization comes through with a somber tone. The thought of falling or death seems to haunt him as he searches to find what truly makes him happy. Death seems to go hand in hand with a carpe diem mentality because if one treats every day like it is their last then life takes on a level of finality. The repetition of the first half of the lyric may suggest that his attempt to, “live his life to the fullest” and be-all-he-can-be, may take more than one try. This would fit with the idea of being in “pursuit of happiness” instead of simply “happiness.” In conclusion, this lyric shows a rebellious nature that is popular in modern society and a realization that life should be lived to the fullest regardless of the social implications or risks; or in Shakespeare’s words, “above all else, to thine own self be true.”