Smiling Faces Sometimes

SONG Smiling Faces

WRITTEN BY Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong

PERFORMED BY The Temptations, The Undisputed Truth

APPEARS ON Sky’s the Limit (1971), The Undisputed Truth (1971)


I thought about this song after watching some of the discussion on health care and the vote on Senator Baucus’ version of the reform bill on Tuesday. For the last few weeks I backed away from most of the coverage because the rhetoric got a little over the top for me but I have been keeping track of what’s going on. It appears to me that there has been a lot of lies and misinformation from every side designed to throw off the American public from the real issues. The worst part about that is that it’s been done by the people of their own political party. Some Republicans tell their supporters they are fighting for their civil liberties and freedoms and at the same time lobbyists for insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies line their pockets and dictate their actions. Some Democrats are doing the exact same thing except they have to fool their constituents by introducing bills for reform that are missing the key elements to keeping insurance companies honest. In the end we will have both groups together shaking hands on Capital Hill in harmony because big business got what they wanted.

That leads me to the song “Smiling Faces”. It was original recorded by The Temptations in 1971 and then by the Undisputed Truth Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1971(I know most of the songs I write about were recorded before I was born but I can’t help it), Smiling Faces speaks about how some people can appear to be your friend and have your best interest at heart but really have the wrong intentions. I’m sure when Whitfield and Strong wrote the song they were thinking about it from a more personal angle. Fortunately for me I don’t have personal references to go on for this song. In a broader sense I can relate well to the message in the song. Living in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina has opened my eyes and taught me valuable lessons about how some people can appear to be supportive and understanding of your needs and issues one minute and then turn around and plot ways to take advantage of your vulnerable state the next. You have to be careful not to judge too quickly and paint anyone in a positive or negative light.

The Temptations version is over 11 minutes long and features Eddie Kendricks on lead vocals. It was going to be edited down for a single release but he left the group before that could happen. This may be the one instance where I prefer another version of a song over a Temptations’ version because I personally prefer the Undisputed Truth’s version. This song was their shining moment and their only top 40 hit. Both versions sound similar but you can tell the difference in them. Norman Whitfield made a good living recording the same song with different artists at Motown. He wrote “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” that was recorded by The Miracles, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight and The Pips. He also wrote “War” that was recorded by The Temptations and Edwin Starr. I guess if you have a hit then you need to get everything you can out of it.

Lyrics:
Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth uh
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof

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 let me tell you
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth, uh
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
Beware, beware of the handshake
That hides the snake
I'm telling you beware
Beware of the pat on the back
It just might hold you back
Jealousy (jealousy)
Misery (misery)
Envy

I tell you, you can't see behind 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
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes)
(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes)
I'm telling you beware, beware of the handshake
That hides the snake
Listen to me now, beware
Beware of that pat on the back
It just might hold you back
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof

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