The Tracks Of My Tears
The Jackson 5 And Johnny Lyrics


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People say I'm the life of the party
'Cause 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 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)

I need you (Need you)

If you see me with another girl
Acting like I'm having fun
Uh now she may be cute but she's a substitute
Because, girl, you're the permanent one

Well, take a good look at my face
You see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears

Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break-up with you

Baby, baby take a good look at my face
You see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears

Baby, baby, baby take a good look at my face
You know my smile looks out of place




If you look closer it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Jackson 5 and Johnny feat. Michael Jackson's song The Tracks Of My Tears tell a story about a man who seems to be enjoying life, making people laugh, and having a good time. But behind the mask of happiness, he is struggling with the heartbreak caused by losing his love. The repeated line "take a good look at my face" emphasizes that what we see on the surface may not always reflect what is happening internally. The track of his tears that he's trying to suppress and hide from the world is the pain he feels after his breakup.


When he's out with another girl, though she may be cute, she's just a stand-in for the one who is "the permanent one." He is wearing his smile as make-up to conceal the sadness that came with the breakup. The lyrics get deeper when he admits to being "just a clown" since the breakup, clearly feeling the pain of losing the one he loved. The message of the song is that sometimes we are quick to judge people by their exterior without fully understanding what's happening in their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

People say I'm the life of the party
I am known to be the center of the fun and laughter


'Cause I tell a joke or two
As a way to keep the party going, I am always cracking jokes


Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Even though I may appear outwardly happy, I am not truly feeling that way


Deep inside I'm blue
Internally, I am feeling down and depressed


So take a good look at my face
If you were to examine my facial expressions closely,


You see my smile looks out of place
You would notice that my smile does not match my true emotions


If you look closer it's easy to trace
Looking more intently, it would be simple to identify


The tracks of my tears
The signs of my sadness and despair


I need you (Need you)
I am expressing my urgent desire for your presence and love


If you see me with another girl
In the event that you catch me with another woman


Acting like I'm having fun
And it seems like I'm having a great time


Uh now she may be cute but she's a substitute
Know that she is just a temporary fill-in, even if she is attractive


Because, girl, you're the permanent one
I want you to know that you are the one I really want to be with forever


Outside I'm masquerading
On the surface, I am putting on a facade


Inside my hope is fading
Internally, I am losing my optimism and positivity


Just a clown since you put me down
Ever since you left me, I have felt like a fool


My smile is my make up
To cover up my pain and hurt, I have been relying on my fake smile


I wear since my break-up with you
Because of our separation, I have been wearing this disguise


Baby, baby take a good look at my face
Sweetheart, examine my expressions carefully


You see my smile looks out of place
You'll see that my smile does not match my true emotions


If you look closer it's easy to trace
With a closer examination, it would be simple to identify


The tracks of my tears
The signs of my heartbreak and sorrow


Baby, baby, baby take a good look at my face
Sweetheart, I am begging you to examine my facial expressions


You know my smile looks out of place
You are aware that my smile does not match my true feelings


If you look closer it's easy to trace
Indeed, with closer inspection, the signs of my pain would be obvious


The tracks of my tears
The telltale signs of my sadness and mourning




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Iricom US Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, William Robinson Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@NIGEHOOD2

The earliest recording of Michael Jackson and the J5 any of you have ever heard and 9 years later .... I’m the first to comment. Y’all still sleep. This only has less than 1000 views.

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