Smoke gets in your eyes
Bob Lawrence Lyrics
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I of course replied "something here inside cannot be denied"
They said "someday you'll find all who love are blind"
When your heart's on fire, you must realize smoke gets in your eyes
So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed to think they could doubt my love
Yet today my love has flown away, I am without my love
Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
(Smoke gets in your eyes, smoke gets in your eyes)
Smoke gets in your eyes
Bob Lawrence's song, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, deals with the theme of love, and how it can be confusing and often leads to heartbreak. The lyrics begin with the singer being asked how they knew their true love was genuine. The singer responds by stating that they have a feeling inside that cannot be denied. However, their friends warn them that love can blind people. When their heart is in a state of flame, they need to be aware that smoke will get into their eyes, causing a blurring of their vision.
The second verse demonstrates how life can take an unexpected turn, leading to heartache. The singer previously boasted to their friends about their love but now find themselves alone as their love has flown away. Their friends laugh at them while they try to hide their tears. The singer accepts their fate and tells their friends that when a beautiful flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes.
Bob Lawrence has illustrated through this song that love is not always easy, and people should be aware of the potential outcome. Love can be a beautiful thing, but it can also cause pain and confusion. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes portrays the message that people should be cautious when they fall in love, as heartbreak is always a possibility.
Line by Line Meaning
They asked me how I knew my true love was true
Someone asked for Bob's confirmation about the authenticity of his love.
I of course replied "something here inside cannot be denied"
Bob replied that he has feelings that can't be suppressed or ignored.
They said "someday you'll find all who love are blind"
They warned Bob that love can sometimes make you ignore certain flaws or realities.
When your heart's on fire, you must realize smoke gets in your eyes
Bob believes that love can sometimes be overwhelming and blocking the truth.
So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed to think they could doubt my love
Bob laughed off the idea that his love is not genuine.
Yet today my love has flown away, I am without my love
Bob's love has left him, and he is now alone.
Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
Bob's friends now laugh at his misery and he can't hold back his tears.
So I smile and say "when a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes"
Bob remains optimistic in front of his friends by suggesting that sometimes after a beautiful love story ends, all we're left with is the reminder of the smoke that once surrounded it.
(Smoke gets in your eyes, smoke gets in your eyes)
This refrain repeats the idea that love can make us blind to the truth, and the smoke is what's left when love fades away.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dictionary Pictionary
I love how upbeat the original and this one is, it's the way it's meant to be.
BoBu
You can really hear that 30's style in it, less obvious drums, more flowing harmony sections with many strings. It reminds me of things Al Bowlly did around this era and already around '27. It really shows the evolution of music over time and both the 20's and 30's have such a wonderfully unique style in their own way. Really special.
Dictionary Pictionary
@BoBu Yeah, the band really did used to get together in those days.50's onwards the small groups took over. These guys played like an army.
BoBu
@Dictionary Pictionary Beatifully said
David Todora
I really thought originally that this song came out in the 50’s. Of course I was wrong. This 1934 version is evidence of its age, as I was born in the mid 60’s, I really like this era of music. It was greatness, in its highest form.
Harry Minot
Bob Lawrence takes vibrato to the stratosphere!
chrisz78
A well-schooled voice in the good old tradition going all the way back to the Italian belcanto of Händel's and Mozart's days. The sluggish, whiny slow tremolo so often heard since the 1930s is usually a sign of the voice not being produced naturally and effortlessly, it reeks of vocal abuse and lack of musical talent. I came here after hearing another of Lawrence's records because that one had been such a surprise - I had expected another anemic, ill-trained, wobbly, forgettable "crooner" of the Bowlly/Crosby type and found an actual SINGER. Beautiful!
Jim Hilliker
I love it.
M&M
Wooooaaaaa beautiful ,👍♥️♥️🌹
Jason N Stegall
Of course, The Platters (and Fred Astaire) brought me here.