Released: June 23, 1965
Songwriter: Warren “Pete” Moore Marv Tarplin Smokey Robinson
Producer: Smokey Robinson
{Intro}
[Verse 1]
People say I'm the life of the party
'Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
[Chorus]
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you (need you)
Need you (need you)
[Verse 2]
Since you left me, if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute, she's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
[Chorus]
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
Look a little bit closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you (need you)
Need you (need you)
(Outside) I'm masquerading
(Inside) my hope is fading
Just a clown, oh yeah, since you put me down
My smile is my make up I wear since my break up with you
Baby, take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
Yeah, just look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
Take a good look at my face
Ooh yeah, you'll see my smile looks out of place
Look a little bit closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
{outro}
[Verse 1]
People say I'm the life of the party
'Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
[Chorus]
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you (need you)
Need you (need you)
[Verse 2]
Since you left me, if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute, she's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
[Chorus]
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
Look a little bit closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you (need you)
Need you (need you)
(Outside) I'm masquerading
(Inside) my hope is fading
Just a clown, oh yeah, since you put me down
My smile is my make up I wear since my break up with you
Baby, take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
Yeah, just look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
Take a good look at my face
Ooh yeah, you'll see my smile looks out of place
Look a little bit closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
{outro}
more tracks from the album
The 35th Anniversary Collection
- Bad Girl
- That’s the Way I Feel
- Come Spy With Me
- I’ve Been Good to You
- I Care About Detroit
- Determination
- Oh Be My Love
- Save Me
- You Never Miss a Good Thing
- Satisfaction
- Who’s Lovin’ You
- After All
- Shop Around (national version)
- A Love She Can Count On
- That’s What Love Is Made Of
- One Heartbeat
- Quiet Storm
- Sweet Harmony
- Being with You
- Happy Landing
- I Gotta Thing For You
- It
- He Don’t Care About Me
- If Your Mother Only Knew
- You Only Build Me Up to Tear Me Down
- I Cry
- All I Want Is You
- I Had To Cry
- The Day You Take One (You Have To Take The Other)
- I’m Stuck On You
- What Love Has Joined Together
- The Composer
- The Feeling Is So Fine
- Whatever Makes You Happy
- Heartbreak Road
- You’re So Fine and Sweet
- All That’s Good
- Crazy About the La La La
- It’s a Good Feeling
- Once I Got to Know You (Couldn’t Help But Love You)
- Here I Go Again (Live)
- The Tears of a Clown
- You Must Be Love
- (You Can’t Let the Boy Overpower) The Man in You
- I Don’t Blame You at All
- Abraham, Martin and John
- Going to a Go-Go
- Choosey Beggar
- The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
- Here I Go Again
- A Fork in the Road
- Doggone Right
- I Second That Emotion
- Ooo Baby Baby
- Cruisin’
- The Tracks of My Tears
- My Business, Your Pleasure
- Promise Me
- There’s A Sad Story Here
- You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
- After You Put Back the Pieces (I’ll Still Have a Broken Heart)
- Point It Out
- My Girl Has Gone
- Mighty Good Lovin’
- Baby Don’t You Go
- (You Can) Depend on Me
- Just to See Her
- Ain’t It Baby
- What’s So Good About Goodbye
- Broken Hearted
- I Like It Like That
- Way Over There
- Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues
- When the Words From Your Heart Get Caught Up in Your Throat
- More Love
- Baby, Baby Don’t Cry
- Special Occasion
- Yester Love
- If You Can Want
- Shop Around (Regional Version)
- Got a Job
- I’ll Try Something New
From the albums
- Going to a Go-Go (1965)
- Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (1968)
- Anthology (1974)
- The Big Chill (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1983)
- The 35th Anniversary Collection (1994)
- Music From and Inspired by The Big Chill: Deluxe Edition (1998)
- Capital Gold Soul Legends (2003)
- The Complete Motown Singles | Vol. 5: 1965 (2006)
- Last Holiday (Music From the Motion Picture) (2006)
- Greatest Ever Love: The Definitive Collection (2006)
- Platoon and Songs from the Era (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2009)
- Hitsville: The Making of Motown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack from the Showtime Documentary Fi (2019)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles popular songs
- The Tears of a Clown
- Ooo Baby Baby
- The Tracks of My Tears
- I Second That Emotion
- Much Better Off
- A Fork in the Road
- My Business, Your Pleasure
- My Love Is Your Love (Forever)
- Promise Me
- There’s A Sad Story Here
- Yes, No, Maybe So
- I’m on the Outside (Looking in)
- Doggone Right
- You Must Be Love
- I Don’t Blame You at All
- Abraham, Martin and John
- Going to a Go-Go
- Choosey Beggar
- It’s Christmas Time
- My Girl
- The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
- Here I Go Again
- Point It Out (single version) (Mono)
- After You Put Back the Pieces (I’ll Still Have a Broken Heart)