About the song
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”… a timeless classic that truly captures the bittersweet essence of love and heartbreak. This song, brought to life by the incomparable voices of The Platters, has resonated with generations, and for good reason. It’s a beautiful tapestry of melody and lyrics that speaks to the very core of human emotion.
Originally written by Otto Harbach and Jerome Kern for the 1933 musical “Roberta,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” wasn’t a hit right away. It took a few years, and a few different interpretations, for it to truly catch fire. But when The Platters recorded their version in 1958, it became an instant sensation, topping charts around the world and solidifying its place in music history.
What is it about this song that makes it so enduring? Well, for one thing, the melody is simply gorgeous. Kern’s composition is elegant and wistful, with a haunting quality that lingers long after the song has ended. The arrangement, with its lush strings and gentle harmonies, perfectly complements the lead vocals, creating a truly mesmerizing soundscape.
And then there are the lyrics. Harbach’s words paint a vivid picture of love’s illusions and the inevitable pain of disillusionment. Lines like “When your heart’s on fire, you must realize, smoke gets in your eyes” speak to the blinding nature of passion and the way it can cloud our judgment. The song acknowledges the heartache that comes with love, but it also suggests a kind of acceptance, a recognition that these experiences are all part of life’s rich tapestry.
But perhaps the most magical ingredient in this musical concoction is the voice of Tony Williams. His smooth, velvety tenor, full of emotion and nuance, brings the lyrics to life in a way that is both captivating and heartbreaking. The way he delivers lines like “They asked me how I knew, my true love was true, I of course replied, something here inside, cannot be denied” sends shivers down your spine. It’s a masterclass in vocal expression.
The Platters‘ version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” is more than just a song; it’s an experience. It’s a reminder that love, in all its complexity and contradictions, is a universal language that transcends time and culture. So, sit back, close your eyes, and let the music transport you to a place where romance and melancholy intertwine.
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Lyrics
They asked me how I knew my true love was true
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, I, of course replied
“Something here inside cannot be denied”
(Do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do, whoa)
They said, “Someday, you’ll find all who love are blind
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, when your heart’s on fire
You must realize smoke gets in your eyes”
So, I chaffed them, and I gaily laughed
To think they could doubt my love
Yet, today, my love has flown away
I am without my love (without my love)
Now, laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, so I smile and say
“When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes” (smoke gets in your eyes)
Smoke gets in your eyes