Tears On My Pillow
Denzil & Pat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

People say I'm the life of the party
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

The tracks of my tears
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Tears On My Pillow" by Denzil & Pat delve into the emotional turmoil hidden behind a cheerful facade. The singer is often seen as the life of the party, known for their ability to entertain with jokes and laughter. However, beneath the surface, they are burdened with deep sadness and longing. Their smile and joviality seem out of place because they are merely a mask, concealing the tracks of tears on their face.

The singer emphasizes that if one were to scrutinize their face more closely, it would become evident that their smile does not truly reflect their inner emotions. The tracks of tears are metaphorical evidence of their pain and sorrow. The lyrics convey a longing for someone who has left them, and the singer admits that being with another person may seem like fun on the outside, but deep down, that new companion is only a temporary substitute. The person they truly need and want is the one who left, their permanent connection.

Throughout the song, the singer reveals that they are pretending to be happy when they are actually fading on the inside. They use their smile as a form of makeup, masking the pain they have been carrying since the breakup. The lyrics depict a sense of vulnerability and the struggle to move on, showing that the singer is still deeply affected by the loss, despite their attempts to appear otherwise.

Overall, "Tears On My Pillow" captures the internal conflict between the external projection of happiness and the profound sadness hidden beneath. It speaks to the difficulties of trying to move on from a lost love and the enduring pain that lingers even when wearing a smile.

Line by Line Meaning

People say I'm the life of the party
Others perceive me as the center of attention and source of entertainment

Because I tell a joke or two
This is due to my ability to bring humor through my storytelling

Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Despite my outward appearance of joy and cheerfulness

Deep inside I'm blue
Internally, I'm filled with sadness and melancholy

So take a good look at my face
If you observe closely my expression

You'll see my smile looks out of place
You will notice that my smile seems forced and inconsistent

If you look closer, it's easy to trace
Upon closer examination, it becomes evident

The tracks of my tears
The visible signs of my sorrow and emotional pain

I need you, need you
I yearn for your presence and support

Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Since you departed, if you observe me in the company of another woman

Seeming like I'm having fun
It may appear as if I'm enjoying myself

Although she may be cute
Even though she may possess attractiveness

She's just a substitute
She is merely a temporary replacement

Because you're the permanent one
Since you are the one meant to be by my side permanently

Outside I'm masquerading
Externally, I am pretending and putting on a façade

Inside my hope is fading
Internally, my optimism and belief are diminishing

Just a clown oh yeah
I am nothing but a foolish entertainer

Since you put me down
Since you rejected and emotionally hurt me

My smile is my make up
My smile acts as a disguise or camouflage

I wear since my break up with you
I wear it as a shield following our separation

So take a good look at my face
Observe my expression closely

You'll see my smile looks out of place
You will see that my forced smile does not fit the situation

If you look closer, it's easy to trace
Upon closer examination, it becomes evident

The tracks of my tears
The visible signs of my sorrow and emotional pain

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Iricom US Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, William Robinson Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS