The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
When you first left me
I was wanting more
But you were fucking that girl next door
What'd you do that for? (What'd you do that for?)
When you first left me
I didn't know what to say
I've never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little wine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean jack (it don't mean jack)
No, it don't mean jack (no, it don't mean jack)
I couldn't stop laughing
No, I just couldn't help myself
See, you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little wine and a moan
It's only because you're feeling alone
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
At first, when I see you cry (I see you cry)
Yeah, it makes me smile (makes me smile)
Yeah, it makes me smile (it makes me smile)
At worst, I feel bad for a while (feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (but then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)
I was wanting more
But you were fucking that girl next door
What'd you do that for? (What'd you do that for?)
When you first left me
I didn't know what to say
I've never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little wine and a moan
And it's only because you're feeling alone
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean jack (it don't mean jack)
No, it don't mean jack (no, it don't mean jack)
I couldn't stop laughing
No, I just couldn't help myself
See, you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell
I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end
Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little wine and a moan
It's only because you're feeling alone
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
At first, when I see you cry
Yeah, it makes me smile
Yeah, it makes me smile
At worst, I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile
At first, when I see you cry (I see you cry)
Yeah, it makes me smile (makes me smile)
Yeah, it makes me smile (it makes me smile)
At worst, I feel bad for a while (feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (but then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)
Lyrics submitted by skacore_dude
Smile Lyrics as written by Iyiola Babatunde Babalola Darren Emilio Lewis
Lyrics © PREMIERE MUSIC GROUP, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Just heard this song on XFM this morning & it's alright. It's about a girl who's got a guilty pleasure of seeing a guy upset (& it makes her smile). The breakup was so bad for her, now that she's over it & he's crying over something, it's like he's getting what he deserves/he's feeling hurt like she had to.
Her vocals kinda remind me of Corrine Bailey Rae (when CBR sings with a British accent) & when she raps (on another song) it's a little like Lady Soverein (if I had to compare). Really she just sounds like most young British female's when she speaks - even me sometimes.
Other commenters have said this before me, but just to reiterate, if you don't like her music then don't why the hell are you even on this lyrics page in the first place? It is pathetic that you are so ignorant as to continually argue over a song. Get over yourself. Yeah, the song's pretty sadistic, so what? She expressing how she feels, that's kinda the point in writing music. Some of you have claimed that she has some sort of "obligation to society." No, she doesn't, you ignoramus. Technically, her only obligation is to sing, but she writes her lyrics too because she wants to express herself. The only musical artists, if any, that have an obligation to society are the ones that pay to have someone else write their lyrics for them because they're too damn stupid to think of their own. Anyway, the point is, she's a music artist. She can sing about whatever she wants. If you're so concerned about setting good examples, got find the lyrics to one of Lil' Wayne's songs and bash his lyrics for being "unjust."
She is beautiful with a beautiful personality and I love how she dresses, she is very chic!
This song means that, "If you cheat on me, you're gonna regret it!". Lily Allen is trying to say.
this song is awesome.
on the chorus it goes...
at first when I see you cry all i do is smile all i do is smile at first i feel bad for a while but then i just smile i just smile
yer!! haha (good song)
Oops.. i posted it on the wrong page... doh
Yet slagging off people from under privaleged backrounds who have made something of their lives.. Is a good thing?
Yet slagging off people from under privaleged backrounds who have made something of their lives.. Is a good thing?
I don't think she's being shallow....I mean, yeah it's not deep, but she's just saying how she got her own back on an ex, and how it makes her happy, just cos he hurt her so much. It's nothin to do with 'youth culture' or her class if you ask me. I don't think it should be taken too seriously.