Fake Smile

Neon lights paint the lonely street tonight Another Friday, but the feeling's not right Got my best dress on, my heels clickin' loud Lost in the rhythm, lost in the crowd See your reflection in a shop window pane Tryna convince myself it's not the same old game But the laughter echoes, a hollow, empty sound And I'm just searching for solid ground. They're all caught up in the glitter and the gleam Living out some manufactured, perfect dream But beneath the surface, I know what's true A fragile heart, a mask I put on for you. Yeah, this fake smile, it's a work of art A masterpiece of hiding what tears me apart It's the best performance, the most convincing lie A silent scream beneath a cloudless sky So I'll raise my glass, I'll play the part so well Trapped in this gilded, self-imposed hell With this fake smile, I'm gonna get through the night Hoping for morning, and a brand new light. Remember when we used to talk for hours on end? Every whispered secret, a bond that would transcend Now the silence screams louder than any fight Just polite exchanges, dimming every light I see the question in your eyes, a silent plea "Are you really happy?" and I just can't agree So I turn away, and adjust my painted face Another step further, in this lonely race. They're all caught up in the glitter and the gleam Living out some manufactured, perfect dream But beneath the surface, I know what's true A fragile heart, a mask I put on for you. Oh, this fake smile, it's a subtle disguise A flicker of emotion behind these tired eyes It's the strongest weapon, the most effective shield A battlefield of feelings, where the truth is concealed So I'll nod my head, I'll pretend I understand Reaching out for comfort, but finding no helping hand With this fake smile, I'm gonna make it through the night Praying for solace, and a moment of true delight. Maybe one day, the mask will finally crack And all the vulnerability will flood right back Maybe one day, I won't have to pretend That this broken heart is something I can mend. But for now, the show must go on, the lights must stay bright And I'll keep on smiling, with all of my might. The music fades, the crowd begins to thin Another night is ending, where do I begin To shed this persona, this carefully crafted shell To face the quiet whispers, and break this potent spell? The city sleeps, but my mind races on Replaying every moment, from dusk until the dawn Of a brand new day, where the struggle will resume Another chance to hide away, in this beautiful gloom. They're all caught up in the glitter and the gleam Living out some manufactured, perfect dream But beneath the surface, I know what's true A fragile heart, a mask I put on for you. And this fake smile, it's a constant endeavor A desperate attempt to feel something real, forever It's the final act, the applause that I despise As the curtain falls on all these clever lies So I'll walk away, with the echoes in my head Leaving behind the words that were left unsaid With this fake smile, I'll face the coming light Hoping for freedom, and a genuine goodnight. Fake smile... fade away... Just a little longer... till a brighter day. Fake smile... can't you see... The real me... longs to be... free.