Rating: 7.5/10
We’ve been waiting for Cam to deliver us something in the vein of “Burning House” ever since that song came out and showed such promise. There was nothing really like it on her debut album, and “Diane” was really a great single lyrically, but it was bogged down by busy, pop production that rendered it virtually ruined. “Road to Happiness” is the closest thing we’ve yet seen to that beautiful song, acoustic and heartfelt, and it’s this type of song where Cam really shines as an interpreter.
Similar to “Burning House,” there’s not much here in the way of instrumentation; it’s primarily driven by acoustic guitar and keeps the main focus on the lyrics and vocals. Cam sings thoughtfully of the paths we all take looking for that elusive thing known as happiness–“it’s the wild unknown, it’s a ball and chain” seems like such a simple line, but it’s a great showcasing of how we all seek happiness in different ways. Some of us don’t want to be tied down and find joy in freedom, while others find their greatest fulfillment in loving another for the rest of their lives. She asks, “is the future that we’re chasing worth the right nows that we miss, on this road to happiness?” What a question, putting everything into perspective, and what a bleak way to look at things if we’re so caught up in reaching some indeterminate destination that we lose sight of the little joys in life right at our fingertips. It’s a really simple song, much like “Burning House” was, and yet, like that song, the lyrics are deceivingly complex and thought-provoking. Cam is at her best when she’s capturing that beauty in simplicity, and when her voice and lyrics aren’t drowned out by overproduction. As a fan of Cam and her potential, this song is exactly what I’ve been waiting for from her.
Written by: Cam, Tyler Johnson, Hillary Lindsey
Hello Team (Cam, Tyler and Hillary)
I thought that you were painfully honest in your review of Cam’s new release. I actually said “ouch.” I listened to the video and found that she has a beautiful, clear voice that calls to you.
I thought that the solo acoustic guitar was fitting for the vocals and lyrics. A band sound would overwhelm the questions that she is asking. What do you think?
Sincerely
Mercedes Moss
https://impacjazz.org/
https://impacjazz.org/go/songtofeelhappy
Hello, glad to have you on CE and thanks for reading! Yes, I agree that the acoustic production is best for this song and really for Cam in general. She is best when she’s doing songs like this one and “Burning House,” simple, acoustic, stripped down, that allow her voice and lyrics to come to the forefront. Sometimes, such as on the song “Dianne,” she’s been overproduced in the studio by pop producers, and that really doesn’t suit her.