Make Me Smile
Harley Lyrics
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And pulled the rebel to the floor
You spoilt the game, no matter what you say
For only metal, what a bore!
Blue eyes, blue eyes
How come you tell so many lies?
Or do what you want, running wild
There's nothing left, all gone and run away
Maybe you'll tarry for a while
It's just a test, a game for us to play
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Resist, resist
It's from yourself, you have to hide, oh
Come up and see me to make me smile, oh
Or do what you want, running wild
There ain't no more, you've taken everything
From my belief in Mother Earth
Can you ignore my faith in everything
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Away, away
And don't say maybe you'll try
To come up and see me to make me smile
Or do what you want just running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Come up and see me
The opening lines of Harley's song Make Me Smile suggest a past relationship where the subject has been destructive - breaking every code and spoiling the game. The song is directed toward a blue-eyed lover, who for the singer, has been dishonest, hence the rhetorical question: "Blue eyes, blue eyes, how come you tell so many lies?" Despite the deceit, the singer still yearns for the subject's company, indicating that the individual is either too stubborn to let go of their lover or still harbors deep feelings for them. The chorus serves as an invitation - "Come up and see me, make me smile" - and as the song progresses, we see the singer become vulnerable, hinting that they're tired of the game and that there's nothing left - their relationship has taken everything from them. The song ends with the subject being urged to show up and make a move, or do what they want, running wild.
One of the interesting facts about the song is that it is not actually called "Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile)." Its actual title is "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" but is commonly referred to as "Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile)" due to how frequently the chorus line's sentiment is referenced in conversation. Another interesting fact is that Steve Harley apparently wrote the song about his former bandmate, who left their group, Cockney Rebel, to launch a solo career. This version of the song, with its upbeat piano opening, was recorded immediately before Harley himself left the music industry to pursue a career in journalism. Additionally, "Make Me Smile" has been covered by multiple artists in various musical genres over the years, including Erasure, Duran Duran, and Robbie Williams.
The chords for the song are as follows:
Intro: Eb, F, Bb, F, Bb, C, F
Verse: Eb, F, Bb, F, Bb, C, F
Chorus: Bb, Eb, Bb, F, C, F
Line by Line Meaning
You've done it all, you've broken every code
You have accomplished everything and have gone against all moral codes
And pulled the rebel to the floor
You have suppressed the rebellion
You spoilt the game, no matter what you say
You ruined everything, despite your justifications
For only metal, what a bore!
Your motivations are only materialistic and unexciting
Blue eyes, blue eyes
Identifier for the one addressed to
How come you tell so many lies?
Questioning the untruthfulness of the addressee
Come up and see me, make me smile
Suggesting that interacting with the addressee has a positive effect on the singer
Or do what you want, running wild
The addressee is free to act however they please
There's nothing left, all gone and run away
The situation is hopeless, everything has been lost or taken away
Maybe you'll tarry for a while
The addressee may stay for a brief time
It's just a test, a game for us to play
The situation is a challenge or a competition to be played by both parties
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Whether the artist wins or loses, it is difficult to find joy in the situation
Resist, resist
Encouragement for the addressee to resist something
It's from yourself, you have to hide, oh
The thing that requires resistance is inside the addressee, and must be hidden from others
Come up and see me to make me smile, oh
The singer desires the presence of the addressee to bring them happiness
Or do what you want, running wild
The addressee is still free to act how they please
There ain't no more, you've taken everything
Everything has been taken, there is nothing left
From my belief in Mother Earth
The singer's beliefs in nature have been affected
Can you ignore my faith in everything
Asking the addressee to disregard the things the singer believes in
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
The artist understands the true value of faith
Away, away
Urging the addressee to leave
And don't say maybe you'll try
Asking for a clear commitment to stay or leave
To come up and see me to make me smile
Repeating the desire for the addressee's presence to bring happiness
Or do what you want just running wild
Final affirmation that the addressee is free to act as they please
Come up and see me, make me smile
Repeating the request for the addressee's presence to bring happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Harley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bbathoorn
I just heard the sad news that Steve has passed away. For 49 years now, a smile appears on my face when I hear this beautiful song. It will always make me smile.
@drusuth5915
And me too.
@tonymccarty1334
Me too 😢
@brubeker12
My sons birth song
@phillipbonner9944
A sad day Rest in Peace Steve Harley 😢
@doraldeddy1836
Steve RIP. Having this played at my funeral! Just a great song from my younger years, and it makes me smile❤
@williamsanderson4743
RIP Steve Harley. This song brings back great memories.
@williamsanderson4743
@@GhostOfJohnLennon69 You're wrong on all counts. I bought this single when I was 16. I'm also a Lennon fan. But not a fan of people who hide behind his name anonymously!
@antoniosilvestro9045
Great performer. 😢 Sad news. RIP 🙏
@sitcorocket
Agree..great performer and instantly recognisable voice.rip you legend 😢