"Crazy" - which was their first single - debuted at #1 on the British pop charts on April 2, 2006. It was the first #1 UK single to be obtained solely through Internet downloads. The success of the single in the UK was due largely to its use in a promotional trailer for Radio 1 across all of the BBC TV channels prior to the single's release. 'Crazy' stayed at #1 for almost 9 weeks.
The buzz for "Crazy" helped generate a lot of press coverage of their debut album, St. Elsewhere, which was released on May 9, 2006.
The album is seen as a cross-over between hip-hop, rock and soul. Both artists have previously been known to have a quirky experimental side, moving between different genres of music.
Producer DJ Danger Mouse began his career doing remixes of indie rock artists like Neutral Milk Hotel and downbeat instrumental music under the 'Pelican City' alias. He later went on to emphasize more hip-hop production: most notably his The Grey Album, a remix of Black Album, with samples exclusively from The White Album; 2005's Dangerdoom collaboration with MF Doom; and, most recently, the double platinum Demon Days.
Gnarls Barkley singer Cee Lo Green started out in the classic Southern rap group Goodie Mob, but later developed a unique funk-inspired soulful style of singing which developed on his solo albums.
Their new album The Odd Couple was released March 18, 2008.
Smiley Faces
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
@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!
@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.