"Uncertain Smile" as written by and Matt Johnson....
Peeling the skin back from my eyes I felt surprised
That the time on the clock was the time I usually retired
To the place where I cleared my head of you
But just for today I think I lie here and dream of you
I've got you under my skin where the rain can't get in
But if the sweat pours out, just shout
I'll try to swim and pull you out
A howling wind that blows the litter as the rain flows
As street lamps pour orange colored shapes, through your windows
A broken soul stares from a pair of watering eyes
Uncertain emotions force an uncertain smile
I've got you under my skin where the rain can't get in
But if the sweat pours out, just shout
I'll try to swim and pull you out
That the time on the clock was the time I usually retired
To the place where I cleared my head of you
But just for today I think I lie here and dream of you
I've got you under my skin where the rain can't get in
But if the sweat pours out, just shout
I'll try to swim and pull you out
A howling wind that blows the litter as the rain flows
As street lamps pour orange colored shapes, through your windows
A broken soul stares from a pair of watering eyes
Uncertain emotions force an uncertain smile
I've got you under my skin where the rain can't get in
But if the sweat pours out, just shout
I'll try to swim and pull you out
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totally amazing. the line "A broken soul, Stares from a pair of watering eyes. Uncertain emotions force an uncertain smile" really speaks to me. i feel like every song on the album relates to all parts of my life
as for the exact meaning of this song, im really not sure haha, but im guessing its about letting a parter get close to you, and letting them "under your skin", yet still being uncertain about it all, as in afraid of being hurt
Back in 1982, I was exposed to the more synth-oriented 12" mix first, which I fell in love with. Image my surprise when a yr. later (in '83) I bought "Soul Mining" & heard the piano-based version instead; however, after a few listens, I really caught on to it (as well as the rest of the album--another favorite of mine is "Perfect").
A week or two ago, as I was going through some old mixtapes of mine, I found that older 12" version--how weird was that?!? I guess I must have taped it off the radio along with a few other tracks & forgot to jot down the song title on the tape cover. Mind you, this was way back in '85 so now I am happily bouncing away to something approx. 29 yrs. old!!!
"Oh what a perfect day...to think about my silly world..."
From "Perfect" by The The (Matt Johnson)--definitely appropo in this particular situation!
I think this song is about an unrequited love that the narrator hopes will become requited.
The object of his love is uncertain of her feelings, hence the title.
the first verse: ordinarily he tries to put her out of his mind, but he must actively try to do that every day, and must look at the clock to remind himself. On this one occasion, though, he indulges himself to dream of her.
The chorus is about how she's gotten under his skin, and he is ready to swoop to her rescue wheneever she shouts for help.
The second verse is about how he perceives her as a broken soul, perhaps because of her uncertainty of her feeling, and perhaps in need of his rescue.
This part- "I've got you under my skin where the rain can't get in
But if the sweat pours out
Just shout
I'll try to swim and pull you out " - makes me feel like the song is a personal guardian angel, willing to help when things get hectic.