Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Brian Ferry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
Oo--oo--oh I of course replied
"Something here inside
Cannot be denied"

They said someday you'll find
All who love are blind

Oo--oo--oh 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
Oo--oo-oh So I smile and say
"When a lovely flame dies

Smoke gets in your eyes"
....Smoke gets in your eyes....

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brian Ferry's song "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" are a reflection of the agony of lost love. The song begins with Ferry being questioned by his friends about how he knew his true love was true. Ferry answers them by stating that there is something inside of him that cannot be denied. Next, his friends tell him that someday he will find out that all those who love are blind. When his heart is burning with love, he must realize that smoke gets in his eyes, and it's tough to see things clearly.

Initially, Ferry mocks his friends by saying that they have doubts about his love. However, fate has a way of playing games, and now his love has flown away. Without his love, Ferry is emotionally shattered, and his laughing friends tease him about the tears he cannot hide. Ferry smiles through his pain and tells them that when a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes. Smoke here refers to the cloud of illusions, the lies, the hurtful words, and the memories that blur our vision and cloud our judgment.

Throughout the song, Ferry uses a metaphorical language that conveys the pain and disappointment he feels. The tune also features a haunting melody that matches the theme of the song, adding to the poignancy of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

They asked me how I knew
They inquired about how I came to know

My true love was true
That my love was honest and real

Oo--oo--oh I of course replied
I confidently answered

"Something here inside
"It's a feeling within me

Cannot be denied"
That can't be contradicted or rejected

They said someday you'll find
They opined that eventually I'll come to realize

All who love are blind
That emotions can impair one's better judgment

Oo--oo--oh When your heart's on fire
When they're passionately in love

You must realize
They need to recognize

Smoke gets in your eyes
That this passion can cloud their judgement

So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
I mocked their doubts about my love and laughed happily