History
The group's music and unusual costuming (large Afros and white makeup) typified the then-popular trend of "psychedelic soul". A number of their singles became minor hits, and many of them were also songs for Whitfield's main act The Temptations, among them "You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Their single Top 40 hit in the United States was the ominous "Smiling Faces Sometimes", also originally recorded by The Temptations, which hit #3 on the US pop charts in 1971.
The Undisputed Truth, along with Rose Royce and Willie Hutch, followed Whitfield during his exodus from Motown to set up Whitfield Records in 1975. At this time, Calvin and Joyce left the group, and Harris was joined by new members Taka Boom, Tyrone "Lil Ty" Barkley, and Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson. The group's costuming and style changed as well, becoming even more unusual and Funkadelic-influenced. However, the group had little success at the new label, and faded into obscurity after two more albums, although they charted in the UK in 1977 (#43) with the disco single "You + Me = Love" from the album Method to the Madness.
(from the Wikipedia Page)
Smiling Faces
The Undisputed Truth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces
Of the evil that lurks within (can you dig it?)
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
Let me tell you
The truth is in the eyes 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend
So, hear me when I'm saying
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes, yeah
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
(Beware) beware of the handshake
That hides the snake (can you dig it, can you dig it?)
I'm a-tellin' you beware of the pat on the back
It just might hold you back
Jealousy,(jealousy) misery (misery) envy (envy)
I tell you you can't see behind
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
Hey, they don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
Hey, your enemy won't do you no harm
(Rap on) 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice, I'm only tryin' to school ya
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
The Undisputed Truth's song Smiling Faces Sometimes is about the dangers of fake people and the importance of being able to recognize them. The lyrics warn us that smiling faces are not always sincere; they often pretend to be our friend while actually being evil and negative. The song stresses that a person's real character can be seen in their eyes, which never lie, and that we must be careful of who we trust. The chorus is a repetition of the words "Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes, yeah/They don't tell the truth/Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof."
The lyrics explain that we should never let our guard down, even when people appear to be friendly and supportive. The song warns us to beware of handshakes that conceal snakes, of back pats that could hold us back, and of jealousy, envy and misery that we cannot always see behind. The song advises us to listen carefully to the words people say, but also to look beyond their words and observe their actions and behaviors. The song ends with the message that our enemies won't do us any harm if we know where they are coming from and don't allow their smiles to fool us.
Line by Line Meaning
Smiling faces sometimes
People may smile, but that does not necessarily mean they are genuine.
Pretend to be your friend
People might act friendly towards you to gain something from you.
Smiling faces show no traces
People who smile can hide their true feelings or intentions.
Of the evil that lurks within (can you dig it?)
There might be an underlying motive that is not evident at first sight.
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
People who smile might not always be authentic.
They don't tell the truth
People who smile might be lying.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
There are instances where people pretend to be friendly but have ulterior motives.
Oh, oh, yeah
A statement of certainty.
Let me tell you
I want to share my wisdom with you.
The truth is in the eyes 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen
The eyes can reveal someone's true intention.
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend
A smile can be deceitful and hide one's true feelings.
So, hear me when I'm saying
Pay attention to what I am saying.
They don't tell the truth
The singer is reaffirming that not every person who smiles is honest.
Beware of the handshake
Be cautious of those who shake your hand.
That hides the snake (can you dig it, can you dig it?)
Some people who appear friendly might have malicious intentions.
I'm a-tellin' you beware of the pat on the back
Be wary of individuals who appear supportive but might be holding you back.
It just might hold you back
A seemingly harmless gesture can have negative consequences.
Jealousy, (jealousy) misery (misery) envy (envy)
Negative emotions can cause people to behave in deceptive ways.
I tell you you can't see behind
The singer is emphasizing that someone's true intentions might not be evident.
Hey, they don't tell the truth
The artist is reminding the listener that people who smile might lie.
Hey, your enemy won't do you no harm
An enemy who is honest about their intentions is less harmful than a false friend.
(Rap on) 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from
Knowing someone's true intentions will allow you to anticipate their actions.
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Be careful not to be fooled by fake friendliness.
Take my advice, I'm only tryin' to school ya
The artist is offering advice to the listener to be cautious of fake friends.
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
The singer is reiterating that not every person who smiles is trustworthy.
They don't tell the truth
The singer is emphasizing that some people who smile might lie.
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
The singer is warning the listener that there are people who pretend to be friendly but have bad intentions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kristyjoneill94
Andre Toppin Jr
Nice ! Why Not Put All that Power , TO ACTION TO HELP US TO TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS OL WORLD OF OURS !
DONT SAY THIS CAN'T BE DONE , BECAUSE THATS HORSE SHIT !!! WE NEVER IN 1000 YEARS WOULD HAVE GUESSED THIS , THIS LITTLE THING OF OURS , IS WHAT OUR CALLING WOULD BE ??? OR THAT WE WOULD BE THE GROUND BREAKER'S , OR BE DA FIRST TO GO INTO UNCHARTED TERTORY IN THIS MANNER ???
WE HOPEFULLY ARE MAKENING & DIFFERENCE , WITH FAITH ( I AM. )
THE WAY WILL APPEAR ,
THE LAST SONG HAS NOT BEEN SUNG ,
THE LAST THOUGHT HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED
MOST GREAT IDEAS ARE BECAUSE OF A MISTAKE ACCIDENT BRAIN TRAMA A ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING THATS BEEN RITE IN FRONT OF YOU FOR YEARS , OR EVEN EONS REVEALES IT SELF TO YOU FOR A FLEETING MOMENT !!!
CAPTURE IT QUICKLY BEFORE IT vanishes (( RITE IT DOWN !!! ) YOU ONLY HAVE ONE FLEETING CHANCE !!!
@LA-ox2rk
there ya go
Smiling faces sometimes
Pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces
Of the evil that lurks within (can you dig it?)
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
Oh, oh, yeah
Let me tell you
The truth is in the eyes 'cause the eyes don't lie, amen
Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend
So, hear me when I'm saying
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes, yeah
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
(Beware) beware of the handshake
That hides the snake (can you dig it, can you dig it?)
I'm a-tellin' you beware of the pat on the back
It just might hold you back
Jealousy, (jealousy) misery (misery) envy (envy)
I tell you you can't see behind
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
Hey, they don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
Hey, your enemy won't do you no harm
(Rap on) 'cause you'll know where he's comin' from
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice, I'm only tryin' to school ya
Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
@rojonottahoe1539
It's 2023 and this song is still as relevant as it first was spun.
@Lilrocknine
Mannnnnnnnn na Fr 💯💯💯💯 @lilrocknine
@MC32595
it’ll always be relevant
@tanazinn8484
👍
@kariepetroski7286
2023 😢 people are even worse today and I have proof
@327JohnnySS
It has been happening since man has been walking upright. That is thee Undesputed Truth in more ways than uno.
@bobthebear1246
They really don't make songs like this anymore. So wonderful, so profound, so wise...and rather sobering.
@MrHeaven33
And they never will because today artist really don't understand music because today's artists it's all about loud music back then you could hear the words to the song.
@aishamarquez211
@@MrHeaven33isn’t the music industry just great now 😂😂😂😂 dumbing down everything everyone is naked on stage …
@tonyynotrome4524
@@MrHeaven33q😂qa