Happy And Humble — Pharrell Reveals The Moment That Shifted His Perspective
Pharrell Williams was a hot topic during his time, and his newest documentary will help showcase this.
Pharrell Williams, the infamous singer of his hit song "Happy," spoke out about how he wasn't always humble, but how his career, fame, and the popularity of his songs helped to humble him as a creator.
His very first credit was earned on "Rump Shaker," which was released in 1992 and became a top pop song that screamed Pharrell, as it had a hot beat and made people want to dance, much like his other music.
Before he made and sang his own music, he helped many other artists land their top songs, such as "Drop It Like It's Hot." He even assisted Ariana Grande in winning her first Grammy and helped Jay-Z achieve his first No. 1 song. It's clear that Pharrell was riding high even before he started making his own music and truly getting his name out there.
With this, Pharrell spoke about how he wasn't always humble and how his songs blowing up actually helped to humble him. He's worked with popular artists like SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, and Daft Punk.
There's been a lot that has changed his life as he's grown into a famous singer and a household name, but he's giving credit to three different songs that truly changed his entire perspective. So, let's dive into more of what Pharrell had to say about how his career humbled him.
Pharrell has done more than just music, as he's been recently seen in the fashion world as well.
Pharrell Williams has credited Daft Punk’s "Get Lucky," Robin Thicke’s "Blurred Lines," and "Happy" for helping to humble him in his career. He spoke about what he thought of writing a song for someone else and how it actually changed his life.
“When I was 40 and I had three No. 1 records in a year, all of them were commissions. With ‘Get Lucky,’ the Robots (aka Daft Punk) asked me to write a song. I’m thinking I’m writing a song for somebody else to sing, and if I had written it for myself, it probably wouldn’t have been as big because I would have written for my ego,” he said.
“When that sh*t blew up, I was like, ‘Whoa! OK, hold on.’ And that humbled me.”
AB+DMIt's clear that Williams didn't even realize just how much these songs would propel his career.
“I’m getting all this adoration from it, and I’m like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.’ At this point in my life, just so you understand, before ‘Get Lucky’ or ‘Blurred Lines,’ I’m thinking, ‘Oh, OK, I’ve had my peak,’” he said. Pharrell mentioned that he originally wrote "Happy" for CeeLo Green, but it was rejected by his record label, so Pharrell took it over.
He spoke about how he felt when the record exploded.
“When that record exploded, it was like, ‘OK, I didn’t wake up one day deciding that I wanted to make a song about an emotion. It was conditioned. At that point, I’m crying because I’m like, ‘OK, God, what’s going on?’ Because my reality was always, ‘I wrote this song. I produced this song.
‘I sold this many records. I sold this. I sold that.’ It was me, me, me, me. Those three No. 1 songs [written for and in collaboration with others] enlightened me that there are so many other factors.’”
AB+DMPharrell Williams wasn't exactly fond of creating a documentary of himself, but doing it this way made sense to him.
Pharrell stated that he didn't want to do a documentary, especially not in the regular way that people tend to do them. The producers told him that he could create the documentary however he wanted, and he knew that doing it this way, using LEGO, would be the best approach for him.
He said that watching "Piece by Piece," his documentary, was great because he was able to take himself out of it and realize that it's not really him in the movie. He can relate to it this way and connect with it.
LEGOThe Power of Humility in Success
Humility plays a significant role in personal and professional success, according to Tony Robbins, a renowned life coach. He emphasizes that recognizing one’s limitations fosters growth and openness to learning. This mindset can be crucial, especially for celebrities like Pharrell Williams, who often face immense pressure and scrutiny.
Robbins suggests that by embracing humility, individuals can adapt better to changing circumstances, which is essential in the fast-paced entertainment industry. He encourages aspiring artists to seek feedback and remain teachable, which ultimately leads to sustained success and personal fulfillment.
Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading researcher in happiness studies, highlights that gratitude can significantly enhance our overall well-being. In her research, she outlines how expressing gratitude daily can lead to increased happiness and improved relationships.
For artists like Pharrell, practicing gratitude not only nurtures personal connections but also enhances creativity. She recommends keeping a gratitude journal, where one notes down three things they’re thankful for each day. This simple, actionable method can shift focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant, fostering a more positive outlook on life.
Pharrell Williams is a household name at this point, and although his career started well before his popular song "Happy" took off, many are still appreciating him. We would have never imagined he wasn't humble, but the fame truly allowed him to be humble and revealed his calling in the industry.
He went from a success focused on himself to realizing that being humble is the true way to success.
Pharrell Williams' journey from fame to humility offers valuable lessons for anyone navigating the complexities of life and career. Insights from experts like Dr. Daniel Goleman emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence in understanding one's feelings and relationships. Goleman suggests that developing self-awareness can help individuals manage their emotions better, making them more resilient in the face of challenges.
Combining this with practices like gratitude and continuous learning can create a robust framework for personal growth. As we look to the future, embracing these principles can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
