Smile
Lily Allen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you first left me
I was wanting more
But you were fucking that girl next door
What'd you do that for? (What'd you do that for?)

When you first left me
I didn't know what to say
I've never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little wine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone

At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean jack (it don't mean jack)
No, it don't mean jack (no, it don't mean jack)

I couldn't stop laughing
No, I just couldn't help myself
See, you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little wine and a moan
It's only because you're feeling alone

At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la

At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

At first, when I see you cry (I see you cry)
Yeah, it makes me smile (makes me smile)
Yeah, it makes me smile (it makes me smile)
At worst, I feel bad for a while (feel bad for a while)




But then I just smile (but then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lily Allen's "Smile" describe the aftermath of a broken relationship in which the singer's ex-partner cheated on her with their neighbor. Initially devastated by the betrayal, the singer finds solace in the support of her friends and in time, discovers a newfound sense of independence and happiness. When her ex attempts to win her back, she brushes him off with dismissive laughter, secure in the knowledge that she is better off without him.


The refrain of the song, "At first when I see you cry, yeah it makes me smile," may seem callous at first glance, but upon closer examination, it reveals a number of emotions. The singer is not necessarily taking pleasure in her ex's pain but may be experiencing a sense of validation that he is experiencing the same kind of hurt that he inflicted upon her. Additionally, his tears may be a reminder to her of how far she has come since their split and the resilience she has developed.


Overall, "Smile" is a song about resilience and self-discovery, and the lyrics reveal the process of moving on from heartbreak, finding strength in oneself, and ultimately finding happiness.


Line by Line Meaning

When you first left me
The beginning of the breakup when the singer was still unsure how to react


I was wanting more
The singer was still emotionally invested and wanted the relationship to continue


But you were fucking that girl next door
The singer discovered their former partner was unfaithful and cheating on them with someone else


What'd you do that for? (What'd you do that for?)
The artist is exasperated with their former partner's actions and is questioning why they cheated


When you first left me
The artist repeats the line to emphasize how lost they were at the beginning of the breakup


I didn't know what to say
The singer was at a loss for words and unsure how to react to the sudden breakup


I've never been on my own that way
The singer has never been single and independent before and is still adjusting


Just sat by myself all day
The artist spent a lot of time alone and isolated after the breakup


I was so lost back then
The artist reiterates how emotionally lost they were during the early stages of the breakup


But with a little help from my friends
The artist turned to their close friends for support and comfort during this difficult time


I found the light in the tunnel at the end
The singer eventually found hope and positivity after going through the difficult breakup


Now you're calling me up on the phone
The former partner is trying to reach out and reconnect with the artist


So you can have a little wine and a moan
The former partner just wants to vent their emotions and problems to the singer


And it's only because you're feeling alone
The singer knows the former partner is only reaching out because they are lonely and want emotional support


At first, when I see you cry
When the singer witnesses the former partner crying


Yeah, it makes me smile
The artist feels a sense of satisfaction or vindication seeing their former partner receive some emotional turmoil for once


At worst, I feel bad for a while
The artist may feel some empathy or sadness in response to their former partner's crying, but not for long


But then I just smile
The singer quickly shifts back to feeling satisfied or pleased


I go ahead and smile
The singer doesn't hold back from expressing their satisfaction with their former partner's emotional state


Whenever you see me
Whenever the artist and their former partner cross paths


You say that you want me back (want me back)
The former partner expresses a desire to reconcile and rekindle the relationship


And I tell you it don't mean jack (it don't mean jack)
The artist dismisses the former partner's desire to get back together and rejects the idea


I couldn't stop laughing
The singer laughs in response to their former partner's failed attempt to reconcile


No, I just couldn't help myself
The artist's laughter is uncontrollable and instinctive


See, you messed up my mental health
The former partner's previous actions caused the singer emotional distress or trauma


I was quite unwell
The singer experienced significant negative effects as a result of their former partner's actions


La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
The repeated refrain serves as a sort of 'sing-song' response to the negative events in the song




Lyrics © PREMIERE MUSIC GROUP, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Darren Emilio Lewis, Iyiola Babatunde Babalola, Lily Rose Beatrice Allen, Donat Roy Jackie Mittoo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@inyomouth_

Lyrics: When you first left me
I was wanting more
But you were fucking that girl next door
What'd you do that for? (What'd you do that for?)
When you first left me
I didn't know what to say
I've never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean jack (it don't mean jack)
No, it don't mean jack (no, it don't mean jack)
I couldn't stop laughing
No, I just couldn't help myself
See, you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
It's only because you're feeling alone
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
At first, when I see you cry (I see you cry)
Yeah, it makes me smile (makes me smile)
Yeah, it makes me smile (it makes me smile)
At worst, I feel bad for a while (feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (but then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)



@novalux4452

WTF, there are a lot of British singers who sound British rather than American.
Amy Winehouse
Adele
David Bowie
Elton John
Elvis Costello
Liam Gallagher (oasis)
Matt Bellamy (Muse)
Joe strummer (the Clash)
Johnny Rotten (sex pistols)
Morrissey (the smiths)
Sting (the police)
Damon albarn (Blur)



@theharshtruthoutthere

@@pink_addict
lets analyse the nonsense /lies many amongst you believe in:
lie: schools are of use (fact. schools keep slavery alive and stands for dumbing down the population of mankind)
lie: moon and mars landings, (fact: even masons know they cannot leave)
lie: news channels share truth (fact: these are for politic propaganda)
lie: money has a value of its own (fact: it is just a tool of this world, which value has been agreed upon world wide)
lie: NASA lies (globe and all....) (fact: NASA stands for to deceive) - you havn´t searched - have you?
lie: the lgbtq++++ propaganda (fact: it is a part of masonry depopulation agenda, 500 000 000 souls, thats their goal.)
lie: Evolution and the dinosaurs. (fact: mankind is not hybrid kind)
to keep stating that there was an evolution, then we ain´t humans, we aint then mankind, we are then hybrids.
Lie: holidays (xmas, halloween, new year eve and so on) (fact: PAGAN HOLIDAYS, to praise BAAL, the god of this world)
lie: U.F.Os (fact: they are demons/evil spirits in high places, against whom we fight daily = spiritual warfare)
lie: rules and laws rule the world (fact: signs and symbols of masonry do)

10 lies, should i go on?



@alexw8432

LYRICS

When you first left me, I was wanting more
But you were fucking that girl next door
What'cha do that for?

When you first left me
I didnt know what to say
I've never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it's only because you are feeling alone


At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile


Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back
And I tell you it don't mean jack
No it don't mean jack

I couldn't stop laughing
No, I just couldn't help myself
See, you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone


At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la

At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile



@Pride317

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When you first left me
I was wanting more
But you were fucking that girl next door
What'cha do that for? (What'cha do that for?)
When you first left me
I didn't know what to say (Say)
I never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day

[Pre-Chorus]
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found a light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone

[Chorus]
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

[Verse 2]
Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (Want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean jack (It don't mean jack)
No, it don't mean jack (No, it don't mean jack)
I couldn't stop laughing
No, I just couldn't help myself (Help myself)
See, you messed up my mental health (Mental health)
I was quite unwell

[Pre-Chorus]
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found a light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone

[Chorus]
At first, when I see you cry (When I see you cry)
Yeah, it makes me smile (It makes me smile)
Yeah, it makes me smile (Yeah, it makes me smile)
At worst, I feel bad for a while (I feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (But then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)

[Bridge]
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la

[Chorus]
At first, when I see you cry (When I see you cry)
Yeah, it makes me smile (It makes me smile)
Yeah, it makes me smile (It makes me smile)
At worst, I feel bad for a while (I feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (But then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile
I go ahead and smile



All comments from YouTube:

@lilyallen

At worst I feel bad for a while But then I just smile I go ahead and smile La la la

@---kp1dp

I'm sorry what how does this only have 4 likes

@lovendor

maybe this comment was hidden for a while???? surprising

@morgan2193

she probably just pinned it 0:

@MelquiadesMariana

Lily Allen I Love this music ♡

@tariqdickens9809

Lily Allen I don't know if you're gonna read this, but I'm constantly impressed with your honesty and self reflection. And your banging melodies :D

506 More Replies...

@ZicoTops

I vividly remember the love I had for this song as a kid, beautiful music 💜

@hkzmin

sisi ya a la chingada

@francinacendra8754

OMG Zico Tops!!!
Me encantan tus videos!!

@lukitauwu8206

Buena zico

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