Behind every great unearthed treasure there's always a good story, and this… Read Full Bio ↴Behind every great unearthed treasure there's always a good story, and this debut release from the newly established Wax Poetics label is no exception. In fact, the story is rather more intriguing than most and even more so once you've listened to the record in its entirety. To listen to the album sans-story what you hear is some absolutely prime quality US funk music, low down, dirty and immaculately performed - yeah they're covers of stone-cold classics (from Curtis Mayfield, Tito Puente, George Clinton and more) but the way they are executed simply needs to be heard to be believed. Then you read that it was recorded back in 1971 by US army servicemen stationed in Germany? You really couldn't make this up, the cd itself has actually been pressed from a single copy of the original LP which was acquired from the US military and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's surprised by this. It's just not the sort of thing you expect to hear, and let me tell you it's well worth hearing, and hearing loud at that. Crate diggers, break archaeologists, rare groove collectors and simply any of you hunting for something a little different should check this record without delay, it's one of the most unexpected gems you'll hear this year.

Smiling Faces
East Of Underground Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Smiling faces
Sometimes
Pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces
Show no traces
Of the evil that lurked within

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes

(they dont tell the truth)
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies
(and I've got proof)

Truth is in the eyes
And the eyes dont lie
And then remember
Smiling's just a frown turned upside down
My friends

I'm telling you

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
(they dont tell the truth)
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies
(and I've got you)

(Beware)
Beware of the handshake that hides the snake
(Beware)
Beware of the pat on the back,
It just might hold you back
You see jealousy (jealousy), misery (misery), envy (envy)
You can't be

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
(they dont tell the truth)
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies
(and I've got proof)

Cuz you know where it's coming from
Don't let the handshakes and smiles fool you
Don't take my advice I'm only tryin to school you

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
(they dont tell the truth)
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies
(and I've got proof)

Your enemy
No; do you no harm
Cuz you know where he's coming from
Don't let the depth and power fool you
Don't take my advice I'm only tryin to school you

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
(they dont tell the truth)
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies
(and I've got you)

The impossible test
is to figure out which of the smiles is a mask

Think about it
Think about it
Think about it

The impossible test
Is to figure out which of the smiles is a mask

Think about it
Think about it
Think about it

The impossible test
Is to figure out which of the smiles is a mask

Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it
Think about it

Think about it
Think about it

Overall Meaning

The song "Smiling Faces" by East Of Underground is a cautionary tale about the duplicity of people who pretend to be friends but harbor evil intentions. The lyrics describe how smiling faces can conceal the darkness that lurks within, and how they can lie and deceive. The song advises the listener to be wary of the handshakes and pats on the back that hide snakes and wolves, and to be on guard against jealousy, envy, and misery. Despite the upbeat and catchy melody, the message of the song is serious and thought-provoking, reminding us that not everything is as it seems, and that appearances can be deceiving.

The lyrics of "Smiling Faces" are based on the idea that facial expressions can be misleading and that the truth lies in the eyes. The song warns the listener that smiling faces can sometimes be fake and that they don't necessarily convey truth or honesty. The line "smiling's just a frown turned upside down" suggests that smiling can be a way of hiding negative emotions or intentions. The song also emphasizes the importance of being aware of people's true motives and avoiding those who may cause harm. Through its clever wordplay and catchy chorus, "Smiling Faces" reminds us to be careful whom we trust and to always remain vigilant.

Line by Line Meaning

Smiling faces
People who smile and appear friendly

Sometimes
On certain occasions

Pretend to be your friend
Act as if they are your friend

Smiling faces
People who smile and appear friendly

Show no traces
Do not display any characteristics

Of the evil that lurked within
Of the bad intentions hidden inside them

Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
People who smile and appear friendly on certain occasions

(they don't tell the truth)
Are not truthful

Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies
People who smile and appear friendly often lie

(and I've got proof)
I have evidence of this

Truth is in the eyes
The truth can be seen in someone's eyes

And the eyes don't lie
Eyes are incapable of deception

And then remember
Keep in mind

Smiling's just a frown turned upside down
A smile can easily be a mask for something negative

My friends
People I am addressing

I'm telling you
I am informing you

(Beware)
Be cautious and alert

Beware of the handshake that hides the snake
Be cautious of people who appear friendly, but have negative intentions

(Beware)
Be cautious and alert

Beware of the pat on the back,
Be cautious of insincere compliments

It just might hold you back
It might hinder your progress

You see jealousy (jealousy), misery (misery), envy (envy)
Negative emotions like envy, jealousy, and misery

You can't be
You cannot become

Your enemy
Your adversary or opponent

No; do you no harm
Does not harm you

Cuz you know where he's coming from
Because you know what their intentions are

Don't let the depth and power fool you
Do not be deceived by their authority or dominance

Don't take my advice I'm only tryin to school you
You do not have to listen to me, I am just trying to teach you

The impossible test
A test that cannot be passed

is to figure out which of the smiles is a mask
Which of the friendly appearances is fake

Think about it
Consider this carefully

(and I've got you)
I have caught you doing something negative

Contributed by Isaac Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@91kermit

3y↑5

Stuck in my head currently. I love music like this.

@niktemadur

11y↑9

You see, this is why I believe we live in a full blown musical Renaissance. "Yet another amazing version of the song". We can hear angles of 1971 most people didn't to hear in 1971.