Your Painted Smile
Roxy Music Lyrics


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Too fast to live
Too young to die
One stolen babe
A certain smile

We never close babe
We dance all night
I'm lost inside babe
Your painted smile

The name of the place
The name of the place
You'll never know babe
The state I'm in

It's a plastic world babe
No tiger skin
Don't talk to me
Your perfume sighs





I'm lost inside babe
Your painted smile

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Roxy Music's song Your Painted Smile describe a world that is too fast-paced, too youthful and too stolen to truly enjoy. The singer muses on the fact that they are lost inside the painted smile of a mysterious woman who is unknowable and unattainable. The singer starts by saying that they are "too fast to live, too young to die," a phrase that emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and how the pursuit of pleasure can lead to an early death. This line sets the thematic tone for the rest of the song, which is about the dangers and joys of living life to the fullest.


The singer describes a dance club where they are lost inside the woman's painted smile. The lyrics suggest that the woman's smile is false, yet beautiful and seductive. The singer further describes the plastic world that they are in, emphasizing the artificial nature of the environment. The name of the place is unknown, hinting at the mystery and intrigue surrounding the woman and her world.


The chorus repeats the lines "I'm lost inside babe, your painted smile," highlighting the singer's obsession with the mysterious woman. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and desire, while also acknowledging the artist's detachment from reality.


Line by Line Meaning

Too fast to live
Living life at a fast pace and taking risks.


Too young to die
Being young and carefree, not worrying about the future or consequences.


One stolen babe
Being with someone who was taken from someone else, possibly involved in infidelity.


A certain smile
A distinct and captivating smile that draws people in.


We never close babe
Party or nightlife that never ends, always open.


We dance all night
Spending the whole night dancing and enjoying the moment.


I'm lost inside babe
Being consumed by someone's charm or presence.


Your painted smile
A fake, artificial smile that conceals someone's true feelings.


The name of the place
Not revealing the location, possibly due to a secret or exclusive nature.


You'll never know babe
Keeping secrets and not revealing everything to another person.


The state I'm in
The emotional or mental state that someone is currently experiencing.


It's a plastic world babe
Referring to a superficial and artificial society that values image over substance.


No tiger skin
Not having a tough exterior, being vulnerable and exposed.


Don't talk to me
Avoiding conversation, possibly due to being overwhelmed or consumed by emotions.


Your perfume sighs
The subtle and alluring scent that someone emits.


I'm lost inside babe
Being so enamored with someone that everything else fades away.


Your painted smile
The facade that someone puts on to hide their true feelings or intentions.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRYAN FERRY

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

@kichitza

Too fast to live
Too young to die
One stolen kiss babe
A certain smile
We never close babe
We dance all night
I'm lost inside
Your painted smile
The name of the place
The name of the place
You'll never know babe
The state i'm in
It's a plastic world babe
No tiger skin
Don't talk to me
(don't talk to me)
Your perfume sighs
I'm lost inside babe
Your painted smile
(painted..)



All comments from YouTube:

@thepancakereviewer

So glad people are gonna be introduced to this song now.
Thanks James Wan.

@attack_zephyr

facts bro I just saw the movie & heard the song & loved it

@AscensionINC-zi1jz

Yh Malignant brought me here such a beautiful chill track.

@aydenvavra2153

Awesome film and song

@meriam9252

Thanks to James Wan movie I get to know this masterpiece by the Bryan Ferry. He’s such a true musician

@Odin230

I thought it was David Bowie at first when I heard it in the movie.

@vitorfernandes651

If you mean malignant. Didn’t like it. But love Bryan ferry and Roxy music. He has even better songs

@cengiztuneygok5650

Hipnotize müzik fantastic Ferry

@Akhil1997.

Maligant 🙂

@user-wb8wy2nk6m

Same here✋didn't like the movie thou, but at least it was imaginative

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