Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Tracks of My Tears

Just watching Smokey Robinson on Elvis Costello's talk show "Spectacle" and I'm reminded of a simple truth. Smokey wrote quite simply the best lyrics of a pop song ever.

People say I'm the life of the party
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
The tracks of my tears..
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


Beat that, Eminem.

2 comments:

C.J. said...

Man, I have heard the Michael McDonald version of that song 100 times, and I could never decipher the lyrics...Thanks for posting. Good work, Jon.

Anonymous said...

I never listened to the lyrics of that song until that scene in Platoon, where the GI's are getting baked and singing Tracks of My Tears. Its an honest and powerful tune.

(Funny, my word verification is "press." First time it ever spelled an actual word.)