"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.
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.[3]
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.[4]
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]
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 is 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
- ↑ Review: Ariana Grande Moves on in Spectacular Style With ‘Thank U, Next’
- ↑ Post by Sweetener on Instagram
- ↑ Ariana Grande: I’ve been through hell
- ↑ Twitter - Ariana Grande - yes
- ↑ Ariana's new registered songs
- ↑ "Fake Smile" intro – Snippet
- ↑ Ariana Grande Breaks Record For Most Simultaneous Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 Hits by a Female Artist
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 |