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"Fake Smile" (stylized in all lowercase) is the fifth track from Ariana Grande's fifth studio album, Thank U, Next.[2] It released on February 8, 2019, through Republic Records. A live version of the song is featured on K Bye For Now (SWT Live), which was released on December 23, 2019.

Background[]

Grande confirmed the song via Twitter on December 13, 2018.[3]

Lyrically, the song is about the attack on her concert in Manchester and the death of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, and the emotional toll that these events inflicted upon her.[4] This song also talks about the media pressure persecution on artists and how it chock them, always having to make fake smiles always in moments when we didn't want to be there.

The song contains a sample from Wendy Rene’s 1964 song "After Laughter (Comes Tears)."[5] The sampled part was teased by Ariana via Instagram on January 25, 2019.[6]

The full sessions was leaked on October 13, 2021, alongside "In My Head" and "Imagine" sessions.

Audio[]

  • Reference Mix Demo - (Unreleased Icon listen)

Chart performance[]

On the week ending February 23, 2019, the song debuted at 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7] In the following week, the song dropped to 57, being its last week on the chart.

Live performances[]

The song was a regular part of the setlist of Grande's Sweetener World Tour, which began on March 18, 2019.

Lyrics[]

[Intro: Wendy Rene]
After laughter comes tears
After laughter comes tears

[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
Another night, another party, sayin' hi to everybody
I'm sorry, I start to leave, I gotta leave now
Got somewhere I gotta be now, I'm starving
Can somebody walk me to my car?
If I go alone, I'm not gon' make it very far
I'm happy for the love and all of the above
If I'm being honest, I done been through way too much

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
I can't fake another smile
I can't fake like I'm alright
Wooo, ah (Woo, ah)
And I won't say I'm feeling fine
After what I been through, I can't lie
Wooo, ah (Wooo, ah)

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Fuck a fake smile, smile
Fuck a fake smile, fake smile

[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
I read the things they write about me
Hear what they're sayin' on the TV, it's crazy
It's gettin' hard for them to shock me
But every now and then, it's shocking, don't blame me
I know it's the life that I chose
But baby, I'm grateful, I want you to know
I'm happy for the love and all of the above
If I'm being honest, I done been through way too much

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
I can't fake another smile
I can't fake like I'm alright
Wooo, ah (Wooo, ah)
And I won't say I'm feeling fine
After what I been through, I can't lie
Wooo, ah (Wooo, ah)

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Fuck a fake smile, smile
Fuck a fake smile, fake smile

[Bridge: Ariana Grande]
If I'm hurt, I ain't gon' lie about it
Arms crossed with the attitude, lips pouted
If I'm mad, I ain't gon' lie about it
Neck roll with the attitude, yeah
If I'm hurt, I ain't gon' lie about it
Arms crossed with the attitude, lips pouted
If I'm mad, I ain't gon' lie about it
Neck roll with the attitude, yeah

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
I can't fake another smile (And I can't fake)
I can't fake like I'm alright (Another smile)
Wooo (Wooo), ah (Wooo, ah) (Wooo)
And I won't say I'm feeling fine (I'm feeling fine)
After what I been through, I can't lie
Wooo (Wooo), ah (Wooo, ah) (Wooo)

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Fuck a fake smile, smile (Fuck a fake smile, smile)
Fuck a fake smile (Fuck a fake smile), fake smile (smile) (Yeah)

References[]

Thank U, Next
February 8, 2019 • 41:04 • Republic Records
Songs
Released 7 RingsBad IdeaBloodlineBreak Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm BoredFake SmileGhostinImagineIn My HeadMake UpMonopolyNASANeedyThank U, Next
Unreleased BrittleClose FriendsConfusedCould Be UsDr NickDon't Waste My TimeHow I Look On YouHell YeaIndicaIn The MomentItallianoJuiceLa La LieLike ThatMade Of TheseMy HairNot OkRememberSomething DifferentStill On Ur MindTommy PWhat Would You
Artists
Ariana GrandeVictoria Monét2 Chainz
Tour
Sweetener World Tour
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