Credits- The Miracles:
Smokey Robinson - lead vocals, co-writer, producer
Marv Tarplin - guitar, co-writer
Claudette Rogers Robinson - background vocals
Pete Moore - background vocals, co-writer,vocal arranger
Ronnie White - background vocals
Bobby Rogers - background vocals
Other Credits
Written by William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr., Warren "Pete" Moore, and Marvin "Marv" Tarplin of The Miracles
Produced by William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr.
Other Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Lyrics:
People say I'm the life of the party
'Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughin' loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
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)
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seemin' like I'm havin' fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
So take a good look at my face, uh-huh
You see my smile (looks out of place)
Yeah, look a little bit closer
It's easy to trace, oh the tracks of my tears
Oh-ho-ho-ho I need you (need you)
Need you (need you)
Hey hey -yeah
(Outside) i'm masquerading
(Inside) all my hope is fading
(Im just a clown) ooo-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, uh-huh
You see my smile looks (out of place)
Yeah, just look closer it's easy (to trace)
Oh, the tracks of my tears
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Take a good look at (my face)
Ooo, yeah you see my smile (looks out of place)
Look a little bit closer (it's easy to trace)
Yeah, the tracks of my tears, oh yeah
FADES-
Baby, take a good look
Other uses: It was featured in a memorable scene in the 1986 Vietnam war film Platoon.
