Mars and .Paak co-wrote the song signifying the only song solely written by Silk Sonic. It was produced by Mars while .Paak’s signature drumming style is heard.
Mars: “I had a song that I played for Andy and I said, ‘What do you think about this?’ and he said, ‘It sucks.’ I start singing it again and he gets behind the drums and that’s when the magic happens. So we come up with this hook and these chords and that’s when we start cooking, when everything starts moving in the studio. The song’s starting to sound real good now. I don’t wanna mess it up, so I call Babyface. I only call Face to know if I got something good, you know, ’cause he’ll tell me too, ‘This is wack.’ For all of us to finish that record together, that was one of my favorite experiences on this album.”
- via Apple Music
Put On A Smile
Bruno Mars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take it from your Uncle Bootsy
Ain't no shame beggin' in the rain
Tell her how you really feel
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, mm
I ain't thinkin' about you
I could pretend like I ain't in my feelings
But that ain't true, nah
When I called you out your name
That was my ego, my pride and pain
I should be a movie star, the way I play the part
Like everything's okay
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
All night buyin' shots for everybody
But it's all just an act (yeah)
'Cause I can't have you back (yeah)
Without you, I've been going crazy
Tryna put on a smile (put on a smile)
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
Tryna put on a smile, smile (put on a smile)
Ooh, out here smilin' like a fool
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You (you)
You
You, you, you, you, you
You
If I could turn back the hands on my Rollie, you know I would
I would've spent all my time makin' sure that my baby good
I'm tryin' hard to hide the shame
I know I'm playin' a dangerous game
But since you've been gone, I ain't been the same
There's only so much a man can fake
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
All night buyin' shots for everybody
But it's all just an act (yeah)
'Cause I can't have you back (yeah)
Without you, I've been going crazy
Tryna put on a smile (put on a smile)
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
Tryna put on a smile (put on a smile), baby
Out here smilin' like a fool
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You
You, you
I'm tryna put on a smile (put on a smile)
Oh, whoa, whoa
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin'
(Put on a smile) oh
I'm smilin' like a fool
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
Oh, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You (you)
You
You, you, you, you, you
The song "Put On A Smile" by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic is an emotional piece that unveils the struggles of a man trying to conceal his feelings and pretend to be happy. The chorus is a call to action where the singer admits to trying to put on a smile and fight the tears from crying, but it's still apparent that he's hurting. He talks about trying to forget his love interest, but he realizes that he can't have her back, and he's been going crazy since she left. He acknowledges that he played a part in the breakdown of their relationship, and he's ashamed of what he did. He wishes he could turn back the hands of time and make things right.
The first verse says that he can pretend like he's not thinking about her, but that's not true. He describes himself as a movie star who plays the part of someone who is okay when everything is not. He tries to be the life of the party, but it's all an act, and he can't have her back. He expresses his pain by admitting that he called her out of her name, which was due to his ego, pride, and pain.
The second verse reiterates the same pain and struggle of the singer. He notes that he would've spent all his time making sure his baby (the love interest) was good if he could turn back the hands of time. However, he's trying to hide the shame of his actions, but he knows he's playing a dangerous game. He admits that he hasn't been the same since she left, and there's only so much a man can fake.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, looky here, fellas
Hey guys, listen up
Take it from your Uncle Bootsy
Listen to my advice, I'm like a cool uncle
Ain't no shame beggin' in the rain
It's okay to be vulnerable and express your feelings, even if it's uncomfortable
Tell her how you really feel
Be honest with her about how you feel
I could pretend when I'm out with my friends
I can act like I'm okay and not think about you when I'm with my friends
I ain't thinkin' about you
I'm not really thinking about you
I could pretend like I ain't in my feelings
I can pretend that I'm not emotional
But that ain't true, nah
But that's not the truth, no
When I called you out your name
When I insulted you
That was my ego, my pride and pain
I was trying to protect my ego and pride, even though it hurt me too
I should be a movie star, the way I play the part
I'm really good at pretending that everything is okay
Like everything's okay
Like there's nothing wrong
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
I try to have fun and be the center of attention at parties
All night buyin' shots for everybody
I'm spending lots of money buying drinks for everyone
But it's all just an act (yeah)
But it's all fake
'Cause I can't have you back (yeah)
Because I can't have you back in my life
Without you, I've been going crazy
I've been struggling without you
Tryna put on a smile (put on a smile)
I'm trying to appear happy even though I'm not
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
I'm trying not to cry
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
But deep down, I'm really hurting
Out here smilin' like a fool
I'm smiling even though it's not genuine
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
(When the only thing that's truly worth smiling for)
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
The only thing that brings me true joy is you
If I could turn back the hands on my Rollie, you know I would
If I could turn back time, I would
I would've spent all my time makin' sure that my baby good
I would've focused all my energy on making sure you were happy
I'm tryin' hard to hide the shame
I'm doing my best to not feel ashamed
I know I'm playin' a dangerous game
I'm aware that my actions are risky and could result in me getting hurt
But since you've been gone, I ain't been the same
Since you left, I haven't been myself
There's only so much a man can fake
I can only pretend for so long
I'm smilin' like a fool
I'm pretending like everything is okay, even though it's not
(When the only thing worth smilin' for)
(When the only thing that's truly worth smiling for)
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for
The only thing that brings me true joy is you
Oh, whoa, whoa
Expressions of pain and heartbreak
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brandon Paak Anderson, Peter Gene Hernandez, Dernst Emile, Kenneth Edmonds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yepthisme9268
Oh, lookie here, fellas
Take it from your Uncle Bootsy
Ain't no shame beggin' in the rain
Tell her how you really feel
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
[Verse 1: Anderson .Paak]
I could pretend when I'm out with my friends
I ain't thinkin' about you
I could pretend like I ain't in my feelings
But that ain't true, nah (Nah)
When I called you out your name
That was my ego, my pride and pain
I should be a movie star
The way I play the part like everything's okay
[Pre-Chorus: Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak]
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
All night, buying shots for everybody
But it's all just an act (Yeah) 'cause I can't have you back (Yeah)
Without you, I've been goin' crazy
[Chorus: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Both]
Tryna put on a smile (Put on a smile)
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
Tryna put on a smile, smile (Put on a smile)
Ooh, out here smilin' like a fool
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You, you, you
You, you, you, you, you
You
[Verse 2: Anderson .Paak]
If I could turn back the hands on my Rollie, you know I would
I would've spent all my time makin' sure that my baby good
I'm tryin' hard to hide the shame
I know I'm playin' a dangerous game
But since you been gone, I ain't been the same
There's only so much a man can fake
[Pre-Chorus: Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak]
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
All night, buying shots for everybody
But it's all just an act (Yeah) 'cause I can't have you back (Yeah)
Without you, I've been goin' crazy
[Chorus: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Both]
Tryna put on a smile (Put on a smile)
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
Tryna put on a smile, smile (Put on a smile)
Baby, out here smilin' like a fool
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby, you're the only thing worth smilin' for
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You, you, you
I'm tryna put on a smile (Put on a smile)
Oh-oh, tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin' (Put on a smile)
I'm smilin' like a fool
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby, you're the only thing worth smilin' for
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Oh, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You, you, you
You, you, you, you, you
@Richardiba
Finally, a ballad! That's what that era was known for. Loved the dramatic strings to start us off. This reminds me of Curtis Mayfield or moreso even Smokey Robinson...this sounds like Motown. This all sounds so familiar, like I could even predict where some of those notes were headed.
Bruno's high note runs are exceedingly beautiful. But that bait-and-switch at 3:26 is heavenly.
Anderson's voice and drum fills bring the old, and mesh well with Bruno's voice which sound new
I'm only sad that they didn't end it on a triumphant note at the end. The conflict remains unresolved, ending in that sad minor chord. Bitter-sweet indeed.
Definitely the best track on the album. Song of the year for me
@adelotb9326
Lyrics😫😫
Intro: Bootsy Collins & Bruno Mars]
Oh, lookie here fellas
Take it from your Uncle Bootsy
Ain't no shame beggin' in the rain
Tell her how you really feel
Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
[Verse 1: Anderson .Paak]
I could pretend when I'm out with my friends
I ain't thinkin' about you
I could pretend like I ain't in my feelings
But that ain't true, nah (Nah)
When I called you out your name
That was my ego, my pride, and pain
I should be a movie star
The way I play the part like everything's okay
[Pre-Chorus: Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak]
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
All night, buying shots for everybody
But it's all just an act (Yeah) 'cause I can't have you back (Yeah)
Without you, I've been goin' crazy
[Chorus: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Both]
Tryna put on a smile (Put on a smile)
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
Tryna put on a smile, smile (Put on a smile)
Ooh, I'm just smilin' like a fool
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You, you, you
You, you, you, you, you
You
[Verse 2: Anderson .Paak]
If I could turn back the hands on my Rollie, you know I would
I would've spent all my time makin' sure that my baby good
I'm tryin' hard to hide the shame
I know I'm playin' a dangerous game
But since you been gone, I ain't been the same
There's only so much a man can fake
[Pre-Chorus: Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak]
Oh, now I try to be the life of the party
All night, buying shots for everybody
But it's all just an act (Yeah) 'cause I can't have you back (Yeah)
Without you, I've been goin' crazy
[Chorus: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Both]
Tryna put on a smile (Put on a smile)
Tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin', dyin'
Tryna put on a smile, smile (Put on a smile)
Ooh, I'm just smilin' like a fool
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You, you, you
I'm tryna put on a smile (Put on a smile)
Oh-oh, tryna fight these tears from cryin'
But Lord knows I'm dyin' (Put on a smile)
I'm smilin' like a fool
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Baby girl, the only thing worth smilin' for
When the only thing worth smilin' for
Oh, the only thing worth smilin' for was
You, you, you
You, you, you, you, you
@Kslurred
This duo,
This song,
The rest of the album,
Puts a whole smile on my face.
@extrm161
https://youtu.be/dUNnQ2kyrQI
⬆️⬆️
@moonknight_99
But this... does put a smile on my face
@loriyang2528
It hits the nerve.
@hetzya
This comment puts a smile on my face 💕
@pulina2909
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmroa1v-dnA ?
@Arctracer43
I feel like more people need to put respect on Anderson Paak's name. This album wouldn't be what it is without him.
@boingotlogabaatlhole4035
#FACTS
@Carbangul
If you guys like this soul 70s sound, I would recommend this song as well, it's a classic and silk sonic fans would love it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpJ0mS5NPlI
@feliciasanders2066
People are giving both their credit so please stop whining. This project wouldn't be what it is without Anderson, Bruno and Dmile on production. I'm a longtime Bruno fan first, but credit goes to all. Stop being annoying .