05 Smiley Faces
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics


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But what did you do
What did you say
Oh did you walk or did you run away
Where are you know
Where have you been
Did you go alone or did you find a friend

I need to know this
'Coz I noticed I'm just smiling
How can the sun
Have any fun
Feeling free

And I can tell you know how hard this life can be
But you keep on smiling for me

So what went right
What went wrong
Was it a story or was it a song
Was it over night
Or did it take you long
Was knowing your weakness what made you strong

For all the above
Oh how I love to see you smiling
An oh yeah
Take a little pain just in case

You need something want to embrace
To help you put on a smiley face
Face
Smiley face

Don't you go off into the new day without getting down
Here's a summary of something you get sad about
Say for instance my girlfriend she, bugs me all the time
But the irony of it all is that she loves me all the time
Oh see

I believe
Whenever I see you smiling
'Coz excuse me
But it's easily one of the hardest things to do
Your worries and fears become your friends




And they end up smiling at you
Put on a smiley face

Overall Meaning

In Gnarls Barkley's song Smiley Faces, the singer is questioning the whereabouts and actions of an individual, trying to understand whether they walked or ran away, whether they went alone or with a friend, and where they have been. They are smiling throughout, insinuated by the repetition of the phrase "smiling faces," showing some sort of neglect towards the missing individual. The song examines the idea of forced happiness and the struggle of maintaining a positive outlook even when dealing with the hardships of life. The chorus, “I can tell you know how hard this life can be, but keep on smiling for me” is a plea to keep the appearance of happiness up for the benefit of others.


The lyrics explore the paradox of trying to hide emotional pain by wearing a smile, perceived by the singer as a difficult thing to do. It also suggests that it may be necessary to embrace pain, implying that in order to put on a "smiley face” one can't ignore life’s challenges but have to embrace them. The "smiley face" is an outward portrayal of an attitude that comes from making it through the hard times and learning to acknowledge them rather than ignore them.


Line by Line Meaning

But what did you do
What actions did you take


What did you say
What words did you express


Oh did you walk or did you run away
Did you leave calmly, or in haste


Where are you know
Where are you currently located


Where have you been
Where have you recently travelled


Did you go alone or did you find a friend
Did you venture alone or with another person


I need to know this
I am curious and seeking answers


'Coz I noticed I'm just smiling
Because I have noticed my own smile


How can the sun
How is it possible for the sun


Have any fun
To feel enjoyment


Feeling free
By being unrestrained


And I can tell you know how hard this life can be
And I can tell that you understand the difficulty of life


But you keep on smiling for me
But you continue to smile for my sake


So what went right
What happened that was favorable


What went wrong
What happened that was unfavorable


Was it a story or was it a song
Was it an experience or was it a creation


Was it over night
Did it happen quickly


Or did it take you long
Did it take a while to happen


Was knowing your weakness what made you strong
Did recognizing your flaws contribute to your resilience


For all the above
In consideration of the aforementioned


Oh how I love to see you smiling
Oh how much I admire your smile


An oh yeah
Oh, and also


Take a little pain just in case
Expect to experience some discomfort


You need something want to embrace
You desire something to hold onto


To help you put on a smiley face
To assist with acquiring a happy disposition


Face
Face


Smiley face
Happy face


Don't you go off into the new day without getting down
Don't start the day without reflecting on your emotions


Here's a summary of something you get sad about
Here's a reminder of a situation that makes you upset


Say for instance my girlfriend she, bugs me all the time
For example, my girlfriend irritates me frequently


But the irony of it all is that she loves me all the time
But paradoxically, she continues to love me consistently


Oh see
Oh, I understand


I believe
I trust


Whenever I see you smiling
Whenever I observe your joyful expression


'Coz excuse me
Because pardon me


But it's easily one of the hardest things to do
But displaying a smile is a challenging action


Your worries and fears become your friends
Your anxiety and apprehension are ever-present companions


And they end up smiling at you
And they too seem to be grinning at you


Put on a smiley face
Don a cheerful expression




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN JOSEPH BURTON, THOMAS CALLAWAY, THOMAS DECARLO CALLAWAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@radhagovindaplayers613

This one of the most underrated album in the last 25 years.

@burrellhill

And the whole thing was good

@I_I_I_1992

True Indeed

@clientele732

But I’m glad tho bc when u run n2 somebody who knows how great gnarls Barkley was it’s like your immediately best friends and you wanna share a meal and/or road trip with them

@penthousep23

@@clientele732 💯

@Enfamousse

Actual HISTORICAL FACT. shoulda won a Grammy in every genre!

5 More Replies...

@chet732003

"Your worries and fears become your friends and they end up smiling at you". Classic line

@jinjxmusic

Hadn't listened to this song in a few years and that lyric still gives me chills.

@dalyoneaston8830

St. Elsewhere was a masterpiece. I can still listen to it from beginning to end without interruption.

@typhoonwave5834

Same, this whole album got me through allot.

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