1.) BRAHMAN is a Japanese alternative punk band with four members; Kohki-Gu… Read Full Bio ↴1.) BRAHMAN is a Japanese alternative punk band with four members; Kohki-Guitar, Makoto-Bass, Ronzi-Drums and Toshi-Low-Vocals. As their sanskrit name suggests, they bring asian influences to the Western punk genre. They ventured to the US in 2005, following the success in Japan of their album A Forlorn Hope.

2.) Progressive, slightly pop, band from 1971. Released one album.

3.) Brahman is the oldest known persona of Joshua Hamilton, better known as Lil Darkie. The Brahman alias is a reference to the Hindu term of the same name. Originally active from 2016, the Brahman persona is still used for features on tracks under the Lil Darkie persona and in 2021, Darkie began to make new music under this persona, like for example "invisibility cloak" and "iamsuicidal".

Plastic Smile
BRAHMAN Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

EYES ARE COLD AS ICE
JUST WHEN I'M IN MY SHELL
WEEPING OUT
FOR GRIEFGOING FAINT.

EYES ARE COLD AS ICE
JUST WHEN I'M IN MY SHELL
I'M WEEPING OUT FOR GRIEF,

SOON GETS GOING FAINT.
IT'S SO HARD FOR ME
TO STAND THET THROBBING PAIN
INTO MY FLESH AND VEIN.
LIKE HARDSHIPS
I MUST GO THROUGH.
THERE'S NOTHING
BUT PLASTIC SMILE.
THERE'S NOTHING
BUT PLASTIC SMILE.
THERE'S NOTHING
BUT PRACTICED SMILE
AND I'M ONE FEEBLE STEREOTYPE.
AFFECTION WITH NO REASON,
TREMBLING END IN VEIN.
I'M A STRANGER IN A HAZE
CLOSING IN MY GAZE.
NATIVE NEEDINESS
AND BULLSHIT DAY TO DAY
STABLE DISCORDS CLANG.
I CAN'T HEEP SINKING INTO...
THERE'S NOTHING
BUT PLASTIC SMILE.
THERE'S NOTHING
BUT PLASTIC SMILE.
THERE'S NOTHING
BUT PRACTICED SMILE
AND I'M ONE FEEBLE STEREOTYPE.

DEEP BLINDED NETHER LIFE IS
WHAT I WANT.
YOU CAST ANOTHER VIEW
ON A WINDING ROAD.
DEEP BLINDED NETHER LIFE IS
WHAT I WANT.

YOU CAST ANOTHER VIEW
ON A WINDING ROAD ROAD.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Plastic Smile" by BRAHMAN describe the feeling of being trapped in a society that values conformity and superficial appearances over true emotions and authenticity. The singer describes their eyes as "cold as ice" when they retreat into their own shell, overwhelmed by grief and pain. They weep for the hardships they must endure, and yet are expected to put on a "practiced smile" and act like everything is okay. They feel like a "feeble stereotype" in a world that values shallow displays of affection and stable appearances over true connection and understanding.

The singer describes feeling like a "stranger in a haze" as they navigate through a world of "native neediness" and "bullshit day to day". They feel like they are sinking deeper and deeper into a life of artificiality and phoniness, unable to break free from the expectations of those around them. The chorus repeats the theme that there is "nothing but plastic smile" in this world, and that the singer is tired of being a "practiced" and conformist part of it.

Overall, the lyrics to "Plastic Smile" are a poignant critique of a society that values surface-level appearances over genuine emotion and connection. The singer's words convey a sense of frustration and weariness at the pressure to fit into a mold, and a longing for a deeper, more authentic existence. It is a powerful statement on the importance of being true to oneself and resisting the pressure to conform to societal norms.

Line by Line Meaning

EYES ARE COLD AS ICE
My eyes show no emotion

JUST WHEN I'M IN MY SHELL
Only when I'm alone

WEEPING OUT
I cry

FOR GRIEF
Because of my sadness

GOING FAINT.
I feel weak

IT'S SO HARD FOR ME
I struggle

TO STAND THE THROBBING PAIN
To endure the pain inside

INTO MY FLESH AND VEIN.
In my body and blood

LIKE HARDSHIPS I MUST GO THROUGH.
Just like my difficult experiences

THERE'S NOTHING BUT PLASTIC SMILE.
I fake my emotions

THERE'S NOTHING BUT PRACTICED SMILE
I rehearse my facade