The hit songs "Do It Baby" and Love Machine (written by Billy Griffin & Pete Moore) were performed by Billy Griffin as the lead singer after the departure of original founder member Smokey Robinson.
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16Tracks Of My Tears
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles 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
The lyrics of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles’ “Tracks of My Tears” describe a man who appears to be the life of the party, telling jokes and laughing loudly. However, deep down he feels sad and lonely since his significant other left him. He tries to hide his pain and pretend to have fun with other girls, but they are just a substitute for the one he really loves. He is using his smile and humor as his coping mechanism after the heartbreak. This is a classic love song that tells a story of a man who is trying to hide his pain behind his mask, but the “tracks of his tears” reveal the real emotions he is trying to keep hidden.
The metaphors used in the song compare the man’s smile to make-up he wears to conceal his heartbreak. However, if you take a closer look at his face, you can easily trace the tracks of his tears. The song is both sad and uplifting as it portrays the emotional pain one can go through after a breakup, but also encourages people to appreciate what they have before it’s gone. Smokey Robinson, who wrote the song, has referred to it as one of his favorites because of the universal theme of hiding emotions and heartbreak behind a bright smile.
Line by Line Meaning
People say I'm the life of the party
People see me as the center of the attention at gatherings
Because I tell a joke or two
My ability to amuse others is what creates this image of me
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
I might appear to be genuinely happy on the surface
Deep inside I'm blue
But deep inside, I am feeling really sad
So take a good look at my face
If you look at me closely
You'll see my smile looks out of place
You'll notice that my smile doesn't match my true feelings
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
With closer observation, you can follow
The tracks of my tears
The evidence of my sorrow
I need you, need you
I have a strong desire for your presence and affection
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
If you happen to see me with someone else after you left me
Seeming like I'm having fun
It might appear to you that I'm enjoying myself
Although she may be cute
Even if the girl is pretty
She's just a substitute
She's just a temporary replacement
Because you're the permanent one
Because you're the one I really want to be with
Outside I'm masquerading
In public, I pretend to be someone else
Inside my hope is fading
But inside, I'm losing hope
Just a clown oh yeah
I'm only a performer, entertaining others at my own expense
Since you put me down
Since you rejected me
My smile is my make up
I rely on my smile to cover up my pain
I wear since my break up with you
I wear it since you broke up with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind