The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Brian Molko :
Don't stare at your face with your nose out of place
At the wrinkles where zits used to be
And remember that smiling uses less muscles
And frowning just makes you look ugly
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world will smile with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Jane Birkin :
Don't mess with your man when he's selling you grams
He would kill you for less and then smile
And don't curse at a whore as you open the door
Cos' your service wont be with a smile
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
And smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Brian Molko :
Don't sneer at your doctor or Gamble and proctor
Cos' they're just pawns in the game
Jane Birkin :
The perfect prescription is one that you're given
It's filled out in Jesus' name
Brian Molko :
Don't be scared of your preacher cos' hes just a leech
He's too busy cruising your ass
Jane Birkin :
There's a verse in the Bible
That says we're all liable
For everything that comes to pass
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
So smile, smile
Smile, smile
Smile, smile
Don't stare at your face with your nose out of place
At the wrinkles where zits used to be
And remember that smiling uses less muscles
And frowning just makes you look ugly
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world will smile with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Jane Birkin :
Don't mess with your man when he's selling you grams
He would kill you for less and then smile
And don't curse at a whore as you open the door
Cos' your service wont be with a smile
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
And smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
Brian Molko :
Don't sneer at your doctor or Gamble and proctor
Cos' they're just pawns in the game
Jane Birkin :
The perfect prescription is one that you're given
It's filled out in Jesus' name
Brian Molko :
Don't be scared of your preacher cos' hes just a leech
He's too busy cruising your ass
Jane Birkin :
There's a verse in the Bible
That says we're all liable
For everything that comes to pass
Brian Molko & Jane Birkin :
So smile, smile
And the whole world smiles with you
So smile, Baby, smile
If the whole world just had a clue
So smile, smile
Smile, smile
Smile, smile
Lyrics submitted by cobiatic
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Great version of a great song,
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