Lou Reed - Smiles Lyrics

Smiles, I was taught never to smile
I was told the stylish smiles of buffoonery
And chicanery and larceny abound

My mom said, "Unless someone sticks you right in front of a camera
A smile is a last thing that you wanna do"
Those smiles, those mirthless toothy smiles

Smiles, they all smile on TV
The quiz master with his withered crones
The talk show hosting movie stars and the politician licking feet

The mugger, the rapist, the arsenic 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