Jaymes Young - Happiest Year [Official Music Video]

In the spirit of honesty, I have to admit that "Happiest Year" has always been a deceiving title. That might seem obvious upon listening to the song, but I haven’t been very open about why it's deceiving.

The writing and recording began amidst one of the darkest places of my life, in 2018. I was completely in hell. I was lost in deep loneliness, depression, and a sense of regret that I had never experienced before. Time was standing still, and the world was moving by without me, day after day. It was such a disorientating labyrinth of emotions for me, and I was completely turned inside out over the pain I was dealing with. I wasn’t eating, sleeping, or taking care of myself. I was exhausted in every way, and mentally so foggy. I isolated myself from everyone for months. It probably wasn’t more than 10 days after I started writing and recording the song that I drove myself to the hospital seeking professional help.
"Happiest Year" is really about the first year of a relationship, before things went sour. I had family and close longtime friends visit me during that first year, who later expressed concerns over my state of bliss. I don’t think I really wanted to see it, because I was too happy in the moment to consider the possibility that I was perhaps embracing a fairy tale with an uncertain ending.

So, it’s actually a pretty backhanded thing for me to say “thank you” like I do in the chorus of the song, because really I’m saying “at least you gave me that first year” haha. There’s both spite and gratitude in that phrase.

Now, in the last year I’ve realized the song has meant something much less petty for those who’ve been listening. I feel humbled by, and I started to embrace that idea even on tour last year. When I was singing it, it started to mean something different, something less burdensome, and something less attached to that dark period in 2018 when nothing in my life seemed to be okay.

In the end, I guess it’s a little strange for me to be releasing a music video for "Happiest Year," but I’m glad for it. I’m so pleased to have created a story with the director, my friend Erik Rojas. This is my favorite video I’ve made so far and I hope the message (albeit dark at face value) is received as a lesson in appreciation for what is given to us, no matter what the circumstance. Lessons about life, and happy times in general, are not always packaged neatly in a box that you get to conveniently open and close when you want.

This description is so much closer to what I originally tried to urge the song was about, and I have to thank my community of fans for reminding me of the bigger picture.

I was practically writhing in pain when this song was written, so it’s quite liberating to see some good coming out of it. Somehow it's come full circle in this music video, which I’m now happy to share with everyone. Thanks for all your continued support, and I hope the song and video can be a form of expression that helps people release some negative energy during the world’s current state of anxiety.

Lyrics:
I’m really on the ropes this time
I’ve been fighting all my life for you
I never should’ve said goodbye
Maybe that’s what stupid people do

Cuz you gave me peace and I wasted it
I’m here to admit that you were my medicine
Oh I couldn’t quit and I’m down on my knees again
Asking for nothing

Thank you for the happiest year of my life
Thank you for the happiest year of my life

Don’t think I could forgive my self
I’m sorry for the ways that I used you
And I could care less right now but you know you hurt me pretty good too
Yeah we made each other bleed and we tasted it

I’m here to admit that you were my medicine
Oh love I couldn’t quit and I’m down on my knees again

Thank you for the happiest year of my life
Thank you for the happiest year of my life

So wake me up when they build that time machine
I want to go back
Wake me up when you were sleeping next to me
Cuz I really loved you

Thank you for the happiest year of my life
Thank you for the happiest year of my life
Thank you for the happiest year of my life
Yeah
Thank you for the happiest year of my life
Thank you for the happiest year of my life

Directed by: Erik Rojas
Cinematography by: Mike Koziel
Produced by: Jon Brewer
First AC: Cole Brewer
Gaffer: Cody J. Cool
Stylist: Ramee Randall
Makeup: Victoria Payne
Hair: Jose Lopez
Editor: Erik Rojas
Colorist: Kinan Chabani

Girl: M.J. Garcia
Elder Jaymes: J.D. Carpenter

Connect with Jaymes Young:


#JaymesYoung #HappiestYear #OfficialMusicVideo

[turtlebutt]

“The worst part of loving someone is when you have to lose them.”

— ‘Elena Gilbert’

[samyakjain]

Unpopular opinion: Tiktok doesn't spoil songs . tiktok helps smaller artists grow.

[flpcapothastoopdsessonz]

My wife of 30 years passed away in April. She was 47. I don’t know wht I’m going to do without her. She kept me strong and let me know things would b ok. We went thru hell and back literally. Now I feel weak and like everything is falling apart. Our kids r grown. I don’t know if I can wait to c her again. I miss her so much. It’s not the same without her. I feel alone.
I love u my fea.. I hope I get to hold u again soon. Thank u for the HAPPIEST YEARS OF MY LIFE. Our love is strong and always will b. We knew each other inside and out. She was my best friend. I don’t think I can ever have tht with anyone else. I’ll b better alone.

[wonderquartz]

Crying in the corner of my bedroom right now.
I miss my mother.

[shattered]

"I didn't realize we were making memories. We were just having fun"

- Winnie Pooh

[Ardintium]

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending"
-C.S. Lewis

[rigiust]

Just Lost my older sister due to a car crash, this song helps me through it all LOVE Savannah RIP Sis Nov 21 2023 Best Sister in my life she was only 18 she had so much ahead of her. ❤❤😢😢💔💔 Thanks To Jaymes Young for this song

[Abcz]

My girlfriend and I broke up a month ago, and it’s as painful tonight as it was the day we broke up. I can relate to the words so much. I didn’t think I would because by the end, we were fighting almost every day. Despite all the fights, the tears, and the sleepless nights, I still miss her so much. I truly hope she’s taking the time to focus on her own journey and becoming the badass bitch that I know she is, and I hope that her life is filled with love, peace, joy, and happiness. 🕊️ Maybe one day, that Time Machine will be built so I can go back to the time she was sleeping next to me.. 🥲

[Stararchiv]

Right now, there are people all over the world who are just like you. They're either lonely, they're missing somebody, they're depressed, they're hurt, they're scarred from the past, they're having personal issues no one knows about, they have secrets you wouldn't believe. They wish, they dream and they hope. And right now, they are sitting here reading these words, and I'm writing this for you so you don't feel alone anymore. Always remember, don't be depressed about the past, don't worry about the future, and just focus on today. If today's not so great don't worry! Tomorrow's a new chance. You are not guilty, you are a Good person. If you are reading this, be sure to share this around to make others feel better. Have a nice day!

[priscillagarcia]

Am battling terminal cancer and I thank my husband of 23 years. Thank you for the happiest years of my life. Just knowing we couldn't grow old together to watch our kids grow up and our grandchildren.

[Nick-wjey]

My ex passed away in November. We broke up in June. I found this song on spotify the night I learned of his death. Crazy thing is that I did something similar earlier that day, but instead of ashes I wrote a goodbye letter and sent it off. This is the first time I'm seeing this music video and just noticed the similarity. The song is beautifully sad and I'm glad I found it because even though our relationship wasn't perfect, I was happy the 2 years we were together. Thank you for those happiest 2 years Areeb🦉

[mjhjjjjjj]

Thank you Jesus for the happiest year of my life

[Beth-]

It’s so strange how one day people can walk into your life, and become something that you didn’t even know you needed.

[azizafourati]

The worst part of life is when the person who gave you the best memories becomes a memory.

[eleanor]

6 years ago I started a friendship with this one boy, we became best of friends and eventually fell in love, he was my first love and still to this day the only guy I've ever truly loved he gave me peace and was definitely my medicine....we are not together anymore but the year I was with him was one of my happiest years ...I miss him most days but I know we can't go back
Thank you for the happiest year of my life Morton

[nikolbirkova]

This music reminds me of the best years of my childhood and I would like to go back and experience everything again 💔

[yanweeh]

"The worse thing is that you know you can't be with that person .. But you still can't stop falling for them"

[phsahar]

I was diagnosed with brain cancer it really affected my family and husband, when I think about him I feel so sad because he has been through a lot I’m thankful for all of the memories we had together

[aurianefrenchgirl]

why is this song so underrated ? this is what we can actually call music.

[thaibinhnguyen]

My wife and I just lost our 13 year old dog Fisher last week. He was the best dog ever. We will miss him dearly and no other dog will ever replace him in our hearts. RIP buddy, we love you...