Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Harry Belafonte Lyrics


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They asked me how I knew my true love was true
I of course replied "something here inside cannot be denied"
They said "someday you'll find all who love are blind"
When your heart's on fire, you must realize smoke gets in your eyes
So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed to think they could doubt my love
Yet today my love has flown away, I am without my love

Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say "when a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes"

(Smoke gets in your eyes, smoke gets in your eyes)





Smoke gets in your eyes

Overall Meaning

The song "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by Harry Belafonte is a ballad about the experience of falling in love, and then losing that love. The lyrics begin with the singer being asked how they knew their love was true, and they reply that they simply feel something inside that cannot be denied. However, they are warned that love can blind a person, and that when their heart is on fire, they must realize that smoke gets in their eyes. The metaphor of smoke is used to represent the confusion and disillusionment of losing someone you love.


Despite the warning, the singer dismisses any doubts about their love and instead chaffs the naysayers. However, as time passes, their love has flown away and they are left without it. Their laughing friends now make fun of them, and they struggle to hide their tears. The singer then explains that when a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes. These lyrics reveal the painful reality of losing someone you love and the difficulty of moving on.


Overall, Harry Belafonte's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is a poignant ballad that captures the emotional journey of love and loss. The imagery of smoke symbolizes the confusion and grief of losing someone, while the lyrics offer a reminder that even though a flame may burn bright, it can be extinguished all too quickly.


Line by Line Meaning

They asked me how I knew my true love was true
Someone asked how I could be sure my love was real.


I of course replied "something here inside cannot be denied"
I said that I could feel it deep down, and that feeling couldn't be ignored.


They said "someday you'll find all who love are blind"
The people I was talking to warned me that love can make people overlook flaws or see things that aren't there.


When your heart's on fire, you must realize smoke gets in your eyes
When you're deeply in love, it can be hard to see clearly, just like smoke can make it hard to see.


So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed to think they could doubt my love
I joked around and laughed at the idea that anyone would question the strength of my love.


Yet today my love has flown away, I am without my love
But now, my love has left me and I feel lost and alone.


Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
My friends that were once laughing with me now make fun of me when I cry.


So I smile and say "when a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes"
So, to brush off their teasing, I put on a brave face and say that when love ends, it can be hard to see things clearly because of the smoke in your eyes.


(Smoke gets in your eyes, smoke gets in your eyes)
(The chorus repeats the idea that smoke can cloud your vision, which can be applied to love and relationships.)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIKO OHASHI (PKA HUSSY R), LADY JOHN DOUGLAS SCOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mynxi Me

Beautiful.

Marlg


Hello,
Thanks for posting these. I just wanted ask, are you sure the Zoot Sims tracks are on this EP? I've only ever found that the Caypso tracks listed on the cover are the only songs on that EP. The two Zoot tracks appear on a 12" comp that came out in 1960 called "Folk Songs with Harry Belafonte and Calypso with The Islanders". The Islanders tracks are the ones from the Ballads EP you've posted the image of. I'm asking because I've been searching for any other tracks recorded during that session with the Zoot Quintet besides the two on the LP. Do you know if there were any others recorded? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks again!

60otaku4

You're welcome, Marig-san!!
As you say, Zoot Sims tracks are not included on this EP.
I only used this EP cover of the same period in 1949 Jubilee recordings of Harry Belafonte...
Otaku4 (^_^:)

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