“Joy of My Life” is a song about how happy one man’s love makes him feel.
This is a cover of the John Fogerty song of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame that he recorded in 1997. The title takes the phrase “love of my life” and shifts the meaning slightly while adding an extra layer of happiness on top.
Of the writing process of the lyrics, Fogerty said, “A few years ago I did write a song for Juile after let’s see well I’ve been married thirty-one years and this was about six years into it.”
This song is about one man who is head over heels in love, so much so that he claims that he is “the luckiest man alive.” From start to finish, the lyrics are sentimental, sincere and from the heart. The content of the lyrics, the melody and the overall tone of the song are beautifully complemented by country singer Stapleton’s signature smokey tone.
Chris Stapleton didn’t write it?
Although at first glance, many fans don’t realize that Stapleton didn’t write this song, it’s actually a cover of a well-known artist’s work. John Fogerty may be somewhat better known from his involvement in the band that he fronted, but he also had a prolific solo career that followed. This track originally came out on the album Blue Moon Swamp. The song made its appearance on Stapleton’s album, Starting Over, in 2020.
Lyrical Analysis
These lyrics are fairly straightforward but not without their hidden gems. The first verse’s opening stanza:
“I tiptoed in the room / I know you got to have your rest / She says, ‘Come lay beside me’ / ‘I been waitin’ since you left'”
He’s trying his best not to disturb his love, but even though he is as quiet as can be, she can still sense him in the room. She wants him near her, and she expresses how much she has missed him.
“She’s sweet to me / Must be the luckiest man alive / Did I tell you, baby / You are the joy of my life?”
Her kindness towards him doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s so grateful that he makes an extraordinary claim: His feelings towards her make him feel so strongly that, out of all the men in the world, he thinks he’s the luckiest. Or at least, he feels that way strongly enough to think it to himself here. He wonders if he’s ever expressed this sentiment to his lover, that she is the central source of joy in his existence.
“First time that I saw you, mmm / You took my breath away / I might not get to Heaven / But I walked with the angels that day”
Although the narrator is uncertain of his own Salvation, he feels like he got a taste of it when he first laid eyes on his love. He was deeply moved and felt like he’d been transported to heaven.
“She takes me by the hand”
This line likely goes beyond physical handholding. Rather, he’s saying that she’s there by his side in life and is there to guide him.
“Some may have their riches / Some may have their worldly things / As long as I have you / I’ll treasure each and every day”
Because of how strongly he feels about his love, he doesn’t have to worry about earthly possessions. He has all the riches he needs as long as he’s with her.
Lyrics
I tiptoed in the room
I know you got to have your rest
She says, “Come lay beside me
I been waitin’ since you left”
She’s sweet to me
Must be the luckiest man alive
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
First time that I saw you
Mmm, you took my breath away
I might not get to Heaven
But I walked with the angels that day
She takes me by the hand
I am the luckiest man alive
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
Some may have their riches
Some may have their worldly things
As long as I have you
I’ll treasure each and every day
Just take me by the hand
I am the luckiest man alive
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John C. Fogerty
Joy of My Life lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
