Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
J. Kern 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"

Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say

"When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of J. Kern's song "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" can be interpreted as a message about the pain and confusion that comes with the end of a passionate love affair. The singer describes being challenged by others about how they can possibly know that their love is true. The answer, according to the singer, lies in the feeling inside that cannot be denied. However, the friends caution that eventually, all people in love become blind to reality.

Despite these warnings, the singer insists that their love is real and would not fade away. But as time passes, the once-bright flame of passion fizzles out, and the reality sets in that love is not forever. The song's key phrase "Smoke gets in your eyes" is a metaphor for the confusion and disillusionment that arises when love ends. The singer acknowledges that they are putting on a brave face for their friends but are struggling to hide their tears.

The mournful tone of the song has made it a classic, with its poignant message of how love can fade away, even when it burns bright. It is an eloquent and timeless reminder of the pain that can come from the end of a romance.

Line by Line Meaning

They asked me how I knew my true love was true
Someone asked me how I knew that my love was genuine

I of course replied
And I answered confidently

"Something here inside cannot be denied"
"I feel it deep inside my heart and soul and cannot ignore it"

They said "someday you'll find
Others said that someday I'll understand

All who love are blind"
"Everyone in love is blind"

When your heart's on fire
When you're passionately in love

You must realize
You need to understand that

Smoke gets in your eyes
It can cloud your judgment and make it hard to see clearly

So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
So I teased them and laughed it off merrily

To think they could doubt my love
Because I couldn't believe that anyone could question my love

Yet today my love has flown away
But now my love has left me

I am without my love
And I feel alone and incomplete

Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
Friends who once laughed at my confident love now mock my sadness

So I smile and say
But I try to put up a positive front

"When a lovely flame dies
"When a beautiful passion ends

Smoke gets in your eyes"
It can be so painful and overwhelming that it's hard to see clearly

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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