The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes lyrics
rate meSmiling 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, Lord, yeah.
Let me tell ya, 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 sayin',
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes,
Hey, 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-telling you,
(Beware), 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,
'Cause you'll know where he's coming from,
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya,
Take my advice I'm only try' 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...)
[Written by: Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield
Performed by: The Undisputed Truth
Produced by: Norman Whitfield
Appears on: The Undisputed Truth-1971, The Best of the Undisputed
Truth-1977 & 1991, Soul Hits of the '70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind!, Vols.
1-2 (Various Artists)-1995 , Milestones: The Best of the Undisputed
Truth-1995, The Collection-2002, Smiling Faces: The Best of Undisputed
Truth-2003, Smiling Faces (EP Single)-2008, et al.]
A version of this song was originally recorded by The Temptations in
1971. Producer Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded (different
version) by The Undisputed Truth the same year, resulting in a
number-three Billboard Hot 100 position for the group. Both versions of
"Smiling Faces Sometimes," deal with the same subject matter,
"back-stabbing" friends who do their friends wrong behind their backs, but
in different ways. The Temptations' original uses an arrangement similar
to a haunted house film score to represent feelings of fear and timidness
and on their 1971, Sky's the Limit, album, the song runs over 12 minutes,
most of which is extended instrumental passages without any vocals. Other
covers: Bobbi Humphrey, Joan Osborne, The Tamlins, Vee, Rare Earth, et
al.]
Lead vocals by Joe Harris, second & backup/harmony vocals by Brenda
Joyce and backup/harmony vocals by Billie Rae Calvin. Instrumentation by
The Funk Brothers.]
Norman Whitfield was known for recording dramatically different
versions of the same song with different Motown artists. Examples include,
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles', "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," was
re-recorded as hit records for both Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Marvin
Gaye. Also, "War," by the Temptations was re-recorded as a hit for Edwin
Starr.]
