Pursuit of Happiness (song)

"Pursuit of Happiness" is a song by American musician Kid Cudi, respectively featuring production and vocals from American electronic rock duo Ratatat and American neo-psychedelic act MGMT. The song was officially released on September 15, 2009 as the third single from Cudi's debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009).

"Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)"
Single by Kid Cudi featuring MGMT and Ratatat
from the album Man on the Moon: The End of Day
ReleasedJanuary 25, 2010
Recorded2009
Genre
Length4:55 (album version)
4:03 (radio edit)
6:13 (Steve Aoki Remix)
6:20 (acoustic version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ratatat
Kid Cudi singles chronology
"Make Her Say"
(2009)		 "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)"
(2010)		 "Memories"
(2010)
MGMT singles chronology
"Kids"
(2009)		 "Pursuit of Happiness"
(2010)		 "Flash Delirium"
(2010)
Ratatat singles chronology
"Mirando"
(2009)		 "Pursuit of Happiness"
(2010)		 "Party with Children"
(2010)
Music video
Slow party version on YouTube
Music video
Megaforce version on YouTube
Audio sample
"Pursuit of Happiness"
  • file
  • help

The meaning of the song is often misconstrued with being about the positive side of a carefree lifestyle, when rather it tells a dark tale of drinking and driving as well as the regret and pain associated with drug abuse and how it leads to escapism.[1][2]

The song was certified diamond (10 million units) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in December 2022.[3]

Background and release

On the album, the track is titled "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)", following the album's dream sequence. The final version of the song was premiered on September 4, 2009, on the DJ Semtex BBC Radio 1 show.[4]

In 2021, Kid Cudi released an acoustic version of the song, which originally premiered on Amazon’s Prime Day Show.[5] The song was included on an extended play (EP) titled Prime Day Show x Kid Cudi, issued exclusively on Amazon Music, on June 17, 2021.[6]

The original song was later included on Cudi’s first greatest hits album The Boy Who Flew to the Moon, Vol. 1 (2022).

Music and lyrics

Luke Hinz of HotNewHipHop wrote "'Pursuit of Happiness' is a melancholic return to self-examination from the perspective of an addict looking for their next hit. The happiness of the track is fleeting, confined within the limits of each high; it's a glimpse into a search that seemingly will never come to an end. Cudi understands that the happiness of each addiction is only temporary and ultimately unsatisfactory, yet he can't manage to break free of the cycle that always seems to end in failure."[7]

Steve Aoki Remix

Upon the song's release, American electro house DJ Steve Aoki, produced a remix of "Pursuit of Happiness", which went on to become as popular as the original and became a staple at Aoki's concerts. Steve Aoki released his remix on December 5, 2009.[8][9] In 2012, the remix was heavily featured in the trailers for the comedy film Project X and was later included on the film's soundtrack. On May 1, 2012, an "Extended Steve Aoki Remix" was released via digital distribution, such as iTunes and Amazon.com.[10] Also in May 2012, Kid Cudi received a nomination for Best Song from a Movie at the MTV Movie Awards, for the Steve Aoki remix to "Pursuit of Happiness", being used in Project X.[11]

Reception

Emma Silvers of SF Weekly called the song a "self-aware 2009 party anthem — or chronicle of a person's thinking as they veer into a drunk and drugged out downward spiral, depending on how you spin it — is a pretty lonely song to begin with."[12]

Chart performance

"Pursuit of Happiness" debuted and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 59 on the week ending October 3, 2009. The following week, it fell 41 spots to number 100. The song re-entered at number 95 on the week ending January 8, 2011. As of March 2013, it sold over 2,000,000 downloads since its release.[13] The song originally peaked at number 137 on the UK Singles Chart, but it re-entered the chart in 2012 attaining a new peak of 72 and entered for the first time on the Irish Singles Chart, peaking at 24. In 2012, it has also charted for the first time in Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

Music videos

The first music video released, directed by Brody Baker and produced by Josh Hartnett, displays Kid Cudi at a party. While everyone is having a good time, the whole party goes into a slow-motion state. Ratatat does not appear in the video, however MGMT member Ben Goldwasser does make an appearance. Other cameo appearances include Cudi's then GOOD Music label-mate Consequence, actor Jake Hoffman along with fellow rappers Johnny Polygon and Drake.

The second music video released, directed by Megaforce, shows Kid Cudi waking up and interacting with a swiveling couch, and a party scene. The members of Ratatat are featured.

Covers and influence

In February 2010, Los Angeles-based electro-pop folk trio Barbara, released a cover version of the song.[14] In early 2010, Australian alternative rock band Cloud Control, covered "Pursuit of Happiness", on multiple occasions throughout their concert tours, which received high praise.[15][16]

In 2010, American folk-rock singer Lissie, began covering the song live in concert.[17] Her cover earned praise from Kid Cudi, who posted the video on his official website, commenting that Lissie did a "great job" and that it was "just really beautiful and extremely flattering."[17] She included the cover on her extended play/cover album, Covered Up with Flowers (2011).[18] In 2012, Los Angeles-based rapper Schoolboy Q, sampled Lissie's cover version, for his song "Hands on the Wheel", taken from his album Habits & Contradictions (2012). In June 2014, Kid Cudi and Lissie performed the song together for the very first time at Le Divan du Monde in Paris, France.[19][20][21]

In 2013, American rock band Nebraska Jones, also released a cover of "Pursuit of Happiness".[22] In 2014, San Francisco-based indie dream pop musician Katie Day, released a cover version of "Pursuit of Happiness", where she played all the parts solo, supporting her melancholy sing-song with thick layers of drums, synth, piano, and eventually strings (each via keyboard).[12]

In September 2017, American rapper KYLE, covered "Pursuit of Happiness", saying he chose to cover the song because it's one of his favorites and it helped him through a dark part of his life: "That song just got me just through a lot of tough times. I think Kid Cudi has this special gift to make music that can pick somebody off from a super dark place and put them in this happy, awesome, positive Pikachu filled place. And I always aspire to do the same thing. It almost taught me like why even I became a rapper in the first place."[23]

Live performances

The song made its US television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman on September 11, 2009. Cudi later performed the song on September 23, 2009, on Jimmy Kimmel Live.[24] On April 9, 2022, Cudi performed a medley of "Stars in the Sky" (the lead single for the soundtrack to the film Sonic the Hedgehog 2) and "Pursuit of Happiness" at the 35th Annual Kids' Choice Awards for the first time.[25][26]

In other media

In 2012, the remix produced by Steve Aoki was featured in the trailers for the comedy film Project X and was later included on the film's soundtrack.

In 2016, American singer Lissie's cover version of the song was used for Nike's Unlimited Pursuit campaign, featuring American athletes Serena Williams and Simone Biles.[27]

In 2020, the original song was heavily featured in a trailer for the Judd Apatow film The King of Staten Island, and was also included in the film.[28]

In 2021, the song was used as part of the Montreal Canadiens pregame show as part of the playoff's montage.

In 2023, Apple TV's Shrinking, utilized "Pursuit of Happiness" for the show's official teaser.[2]

The Toronto Maple Leafs currently use the Steve Aoki remix as their goal song, having done so since the 2023–24 season. However, this was dropped after one game due to complaints about lyrics relating to drunk driving.[29]

Track listing
  • Digital download[30]
  1. Pursuit of Happiness (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 3:21
  • CD Single (United Kingdom)[31]
  1. Pursuit of Happiness (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 3:21
  • Digital download (Remix)[32]
  1. Pursuit of Happiness (Extended Steve Aoki Remix) (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 6:13
  • International EP[33]
  1. Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 4:55
  2. Pursuit of Happiness (Benny Benassi Remix) [Extended] (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 5:28
  3. Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix) [Extended] (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 6:13
  4. Pursuit of Happiness (Sandy Vee Remix) [Extended] (featuring MGMT & Ratatat) — 5:26

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[54] Platinum 70,000^
Belgium (BEA)[55] Gold 15,000*
Germany (BVMI)[56] Gold 150,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[57] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[59] Diamond 10,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
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  2. "Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" Navigates Emotional Highs and Lows". 27 January 2023.
  3. "Kid Cudi's Breakout Song 'Pursuit of Happiness' Earned Diamond Status". UPROXX. 2022-12-17. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  4. BBC - 1Xtra - Semtex Kid Cudi on BBC Radio 1Xtra with DJ Semtex.
  5. "Listen to Kid Cudi's Amazing Acoustic Version of "Pursuit of Happiness"". 28 July 2021.
  6. "Archived copy". music.amazon.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Kid Cudi's "Man on the Moon: The End Of Day" Influenced A Generation". HotNewHipHop. April 10, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  8. "Kid Cudi - "Pursuit Of Happiness" (Steve Aoki Remix)". Pigeons & Planes.
  9. "Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix)". The Chuckness.
  10. "Pursuit of Happiness (Extended Steve Aoki Remix) feat. MGMT & Ratatat - Single by Kid Cudi". iTunes Store. Apple. January 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  11. "2012 MTV Movie Awards Winners: The Full List". MTV News.
  12. Silvers, Emma (December 16, 2014). "Watch Katie Day's Hauntingly Pretty Cover of Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness"". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  13. Grein, Paul (March 6, 2013). "Week Ending March 3, 2013. Songs: Is The Right Song #1?". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
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  16. "Like a Version: Cloud Control - Pursuit of Happiness | triple j Media". Abc.net.au. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  17. "The Wonderful Lissie's Cover of Pursuit of Happiness". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  18. Monger, James. "Covered Up with Flowers > Overview". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  19. "Watch Kid Cudi and Lissie Perform 'Pursuit of Happiness' Together - MTV". MTV News.
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