Smiles, I was taught never to smile

I was told the stylish smiles of buffoonery

chicanery and larceny abound



My mom said unless someone sticks you right in front of a camera

A smile is the last thing that you wanna do

Those smiles, those mirthless toothy smiles



Smiles, they all smile on TV

The quizmaster with his withered crones

the talkshow hosting movie stars

the politician licking feet



The mugger, the rapist, the arsonic lover

All smile out from the news, at one time or another

Those smiles, those garish sickly smiles



When I was young my mother said to me:

"Never, ever, let anyone see that you're happy"



Smiles, never, ever let them see you smile

they'll always put you down

With those smiles, never, ever let them see you smile

they'll always put you down

With your smiles, never, ever let them see you smile

don't you know they'll make you go



Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo ...