[Verse 1]
Smiles, I was taught never to smile
I was told the stylish smiles of buffoonery and chicanery and larceny abound
My mom said unless someone sticks you right in front of a camera
A smile is the last thing that you wanna do
Those smiles, those mirthless toothy smiles
[Verse 2]
Smiles, they all smile on TV
The quizmaster with his withered crones
The talk show hosting movie stars and the politician licking feet
The mugger, the rapist, the arsonist lover
All smile out from the news, at one time or another
Those smiles, those garish sickly smiles
[Bridge]
When I was young my mother said to me
Never, ever, let anyone see that you're happy
[Outro]
Smiles, never, ever let them see you smile
They'll always put you down with those smiles
Never, ever let them see you smile
They'll always put you down with your smiles
Never, ever let them see you smile
Don't you know they'll make you go
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
(Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo)
(Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo)
Smiles was written by Lou Reed & Michael Fonfara.
Smiles was produced by Lou Reed & Michael Fonfara.