The Zombies disbanded. In the early 70's, Blunstone re-emerged as a solo act, and scored several major hits. The music featured rhythm guitar now and ranged from string arranged melodies, to rock, to American folk. The Zombies were never far away; for instance, "Andorra", written by co-Zombies Rod Argent and White, is a remake of "Time of the Season".
"One Year" was his first solo album.
In the late 70's Colin lent his voice to The Alan Parsons Project, a logical progression from his solo work, as can be heard in a song such as "Old and Wise".
Colin is currently touring and recording again with Rod Argent, another founder member of the Zombies, performing both new material and hits from their joint and solo careers.
Tracks Of My Tears
Colin Blunstone Lyrics
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Because I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
I need you, need you
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you, need you
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
In Colin Blunstone's song Tracks Of My Tears, the singer appears to be a happy-go-lucky person on the surface, always telling jokes and being the life of the party but he is actually struggling with heartbreak and sadness. The song tells us that although he is smiling and laughing, deep inside he is feeling blue, and this is something that is hard for him to conceal. He sings about the tracks of his tears, indicating that despite his best efforts to mask his unhappiness, it is still evident in his tears.
The singer admits that he needs the person who left him back in his life, and that any other girl he might be seen with is just a substitute. He describes the girl as being cute, but not the one he wants to be with permanently. His happiness is just superficial and temporary with any other girl because in reality, he only wants to be with his former lover.
The final verse acknowledges that he has been hurt by his former lover, and despite his clownish facade, his hope for happiness is diminishing. He wears his smile like makeup, and although it may look okay from a distance, upon closer examination, we can see the tracks of his tears. The song ends on a sad note, with the singer trapped in his pain and longing for someone who left him.
Line by Line Meaning
People say I'm the life of the party
Others see me as a fun-loving person who brings the energy to the party
Because I tell a joke or two
My ability to tell humorous stories reinforces this perception
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
But beneath my cheerful exterior, my true emotions remain hidden
Deep inside I'm blue
I'm actually feeling sad and depressed internally
So take a good look at my face
If you observe me carefully,
You'll see my smile looks out of place
you'll immediately notice that my smile doesn't match my true state of mind
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
In fact, if you examine my face more closely,
The tracks of my tears
you can see the remnants of the tears that I've cried
I need you, need you
Since I long for your return
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
In case you happen to spot me with another lady after our breakup,
Seeming like I'm having fun
It might seem like I'm enjoying myself,
Although she may be cute
even though the girl is charming,
She's just a substitute
she's only serving as a temporary replacement
Because you're the permanent one
because deep down I know that you're the only one I truly want
Outside I'm masquerading
To the outside world, I'm deceiving everyone
Inside my hope is fading
But inwardly, my optimism is rapidly dwindling
Just a clown oh yeah
I feel like a foolish jester
Since you put me down
Ever since you broke up with me
My smile is my make up
I'm relying on a false smile to mask the pain I feel inside
I wear since my break up with you
ever since we broke up
So take a good look at my face
If you look closely at my expression
You'll see my smile looks out of place
You'll see that I'm not genuinely happy
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
If you examine my face closely
The tracks of my tears
You'll see the emotional pain that I'm still grappling with
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN WILLIAM BRAGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind