Smile Like You Mean It

[Intro – spoken; friendly tone that’s immediately wrong] Hi. Oh—relax. It’s just my face. [Verse 1 – smooth, conversational; beat ticks like a metronome] I keep my manners pressed and folded, I keep my voice down low, I say “no worries,” “after you,” like I was raised to glow. I learn the shape of rooms by watching where the eyes all go— Who needs to be adored, who needs to win, who needs to feel in control. I’m never late, I’m never loud, I’m never “that” kind of odd, I’m the easiest little nothing in a sweater, in a nod. And when you talk about your day, I give you sympathy on cue— It’s amazing what a monster can accomplish being pleasant with you. [Pre-Chorus – closer, confidential; the music thins] Don’t look so tense. You’re safe with me. I practice warmth Like it’s choreography. [Chorus – bright hook, ugly meaning; guitars open up] Smile like you mean it, Like you’ve got nothing to hide. Smile like you mean it, Like you’re clean inside. Teeth out, eyes soft, make it believable— Make me feel I picked the right. Smile like you mean it, I love a face that lies. [Verse 2 – playful/unhinged; background “party” sounds warp] I do the small talk, do the weather, do the “how’ve you been?” I do the little laughs at nothing, I do the human thing. I hold the door, I hold the gaze, I hold the line, I hold the grin— And you hand me your whole story like a gift wrapped paper-thin. You’d be surprised how many people beg to be understood, They’ll spill their softest secrets just to hear “you’re doing good.” And I can say it—oh, I can say it like I’m holy, like I’m true— While something in me claps along, applauding what you think you knew. [Pre-Chorus – a smile you can hear; snare rolls like a heartbeat] You want a friend. You want a sign. You want a stranger Who feels “divine.” [Chorus – bigger, more manic] Smile like you mean it, Like you’ve got nothing to hide. Smile like you mean it, Like you’re clean inside. Teeth out, eyes soft, make it believable— Make me feel I picked the right. Smile like you mean it, I love a face that lies. [Bridge – drop to bass pulse; whispered doubles, like thoughts overlapping] I don’t look like a headline. I don’t look like a warning. I look like “nice to meet you.” I look like “thanks for coming.” I look like the man you’d trust with your keys— The one you’d defend at brunch, The one you’d swear “could never,” Because he brought the wine, because he hugged your kids, because he tipped at lunch. [Bridge – rising; voice cracks into a grin] And isn’t it funny? How the world forgives the mask If the mask is polite? If it holds steady under bright lights? If it says “I’m fine” With perfect teeth? [Verse 3 – full tilt; guitars grind, drums tighten] I’m not the shadow in the alley, I’m the smile in the room, I’m the hand on your shoulder saying “hey, you’ll be okay soon.” I’m the calm that people lean on when they’re scared of what’s outside— So they never notice I’m the thing that makes the fear feel justified. I keep my life immaculate, a showroom, not a trace, A spotless little stage-set where I rehearse my normal face. And when the night is over and the laughter’s finally thin, I stand alone in silence and I smile again, again. [Final Chorus – euphoric collapse; vocals stack into a chant] Smile like you mean it, Like you’ve got nothing to hide. Smile like you mean it, Like you’re clean inside. Teeth out, eyes soft, make it believable— Make me feel I picked the right. Smile like you mean it… Hold it. Hold it. Hold it— That’s it. That’s the one I like. [Outro – spoken; soft, almost tender, then empty] Perfect. You look so… safe.