In 1972 Rickfors joined popular British rock group The Hollies as a replacement for lead singer Allan Clarke who had left to pursue a solo career. Rickfors soon achieved an international hit as his first single with the group The Baby reached no. 26 in the UK as well as charting in various other territories. The band followed up by releasing the album Romany, with one song, Touch, written by Rickfors. This was a transitional period in the band's history and though the group seemed to be winning a new found in respect in the United States their fortunes in the single market were declining.
The group suddenly received an unexpected boost as a single extracted from the group's previous album shot up the American charts. This created a problem as the song featured former singer Allan Clarke's distinctive vocals. The Hollies were now forced to undertake their first major US tour without their signature vocalist. The tour was not a commercial success.
The band then recorded a second album, Out on the Road which featured a major song writing contribution from Rickfors. On both albums and on stage Rickfors also sang, played guitar, bass, congas and keyboard. Out On The Road was effectively shelved, however, only being released in Germany and Spain.
The experiment having seemingly failed, Rickfors departed The Hollies as Allan Clarke rejoined.
In 1975 Rickfors released the first of eleven solo albums. 1988 saw the release of his hugely successful Vingar album. In 1990, he embarked on his first collaboration as part of the Swedish supergroup Grymlings (named after Rickfors' farm).
The Tracks Of My Tears
Mikael Rickfors Lyrics
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Because I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
I need you, need you
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you, need you
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
In Mikael Rickfors's song The Tracks Of My Tears, the singer appears to be the life of the party, cracking jokes and laughing heartily. But within, the singer is broken and crying. The lyrics suggest that the singer is wearing a mask of happiness, but his true feelings are evident in his eyes. The reference to "the tracks of my tears" reveals the depth of sadness that the singer is enduring. The singer croons about his need for a lost love, and how he has tried to replace her with attractive alternatives but to no avail. The last stanza speaks of how the singer is pretending to be happy with his painted-on smile, but inside, hope fades as he continues to see his love with someone else.
One interpretation of this song is that it is about trying to move on from a lost love. Despite outward expressions of joy, the singer cannot shake the pain of his broken heart, and his attempts to seek solace in other companions result only in beauty that is skin deep. The title of the song and the reference to "the tracks of my tears" are fitting because they underscore the degree to which the singer's sadness has affected him.
Line by Line Meaning
People say I'm the life of the party
People think I'm a fun, outgoing person who is the center of attention at social gatherings
Because I tell a joke or two
I use humor as a way of connecting with others and hiding my true emotions
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Even though I may appear happy on the outside, I am really feeling sad and depressed inside
Deep inside I'm blue
I am feeling deeply unhappy
So take a good look at my face
If you really pay attention to my expressions and body language, you can see the truth about my emotions
You'll see my smile looks out of place
My smile doesn't really match what I'm feeling inside
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
If you examine me more closely, you can see the evidence of my sadness and pain
I need you, need you
I am feeling a strong sense of longing and dependency on you
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
Even if you see me with another girl, it doesn't mean I'm really over you or that I'm truly happy
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
Other people I'm with are just temporary, because I know deep down that you are the only one I truly want
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
I am pretending to be happy and carefree on the outside, but really I am losing hope and feeling like a fool since you broke up with me
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you
My smile is a mask I wear to hide my true feelings since we broke up
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN WILLIAM BRAGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind