"Fake Smile" (stylized in all lowercase) is the fifth track from Ariana Grande's fifth studio album, Thank U, Next.[1] It was released on February 8, 2019 through Republic Records.
Background
Grande confirmed the song via Twitter on December 13, 2018.[2]
The song contains a sample from Wendy Rene’s 1964 song “After Laughter (Come Tears)."[3] The sampled part was teased by Ariana via Instagram on January 25, 2019.[4]
Lyrics
[Intro: Wendy Rene]
After laughter comes tears
After laughter comes tears
[Verse 1]
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]
I can't fake another smile
I can't fake like I'm alright
Ooh, ah (Ooh, ah)
And I won't say I'm feeling fine
After what I been through, I can't lie
Ooh, ah (Ooh, ah)
[Chorus]
Fuck a fake smile, smile
Fuck a fake smile, fake smile
[Verse 2]
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]
I can't fake another smile
I can't fake like I'm alright
Ooh, ah (Ooh, ah)
And I won't say I'm feeling fine
After what I been through, I can't lie
Ooh, ah (Ooh, ah)
[Chorus]
Fuck a fake smile, smile
Fuck a fake smile, fake smile
[Bridge]
If I'm hard, I ain't gon' lie about it
Arms crossed with the attitude, lips bitin'
If I'm hard, I ain't gon' lie about it
Neck roll with the attitude, yeah
If I'm hard, I ain't gon' lie about it
Arms crossed with the attitude, lips bitin'
If I'm hard, I ain't gon' lie about it
Neck roll with the attitude, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
I can't fake another smile (And I can't fake)
I can't fake like I'm alright (No smile)
Ooh, ah (Ooh, ah) (Ooh)
And I won't say I'm feeling fine (I'm feeling fine)
After what I been through, I can't lie
Ooh, ah (Ooh, ah)
[Chorus]
Fuck a fake smile, smile
Fuck a fake smile, fake smile (Yeah)
References
| Thank U, Next | |
|---|---|
| February 8, 2019 • 41:04 • Republic Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | 7 Rings • Bad Idea • Bloodline • Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored • Fake Smile • Ghostin • Imagine • In My Head • Make Up • Monopoly • NASA • Needy • Thank U, Next |
| Unreleased | Brittle • Close Friends • Confused • Could Be Us • Dr Nick • Don't Waste My Time • Hell Yea • Indica • In The Moment • Italliano • Juice • La La Lie • Like That • Made Of These • My Hair • Not Ok • Remember • Something Different • Still On Ur Mind • Tommy P • What Would You |
| Artists | |
| Ariana Grande • Victoria Monét • 2 Chainz | |
| Tour | |
| Sweetener World Tour | |