You're a fraud and you know it
But it's too good to throw it all away
Anyone would do the same
You've got 'em going
And you're careful not to show it
Sometimes you even fool yourself a bit
It's like magic
But it's always been a smoke and mirrors game
Anyone would do the same

So now that you've arrived well you wonder
What is it that you've done to make the grade
And should you do the same?
(Is that too easy?)
Are you only trying to please them
(Will they see then?)
You're desperate to deliver
Anything that could give you
A sense of reassurance
When you look in the mirror

Such highs and lows
You put on quite a show
All these highs and lows
And you're never really sure
What you do it for
Well do you even want to know?
You put on quite a show

(Mother)
Are you watching?
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)

You're a fraud and you know it
And every night and day you take the stage
And it always entertains
You're giving pleasure
And that's admirable, you tell yourself
And so you'd gladly sell yourself
To others

(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?
(Mother)
Are you watching?

Such highs and lows
You put on quite a show
All these highs and lows
And you're never really sure
What you do it for
Well do you even want to know?
Yeah you put on quite a show


Lyrics submitted by liquidsky

Smoke and Mirrors Lyrics as written by Walter Andre De Backer

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Smoke & Mirrors song meanings
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    General Comment

    Alright guys, I'm going to give you my opinion of what the song means. It reminds me of my ex girlfriend. There are people out there that have mental problems and disorders of certain kinds, and this song explores an example of an individual like this.

    "You're a fraud and you know it But it's too good to throw it all away Anyone would do the same You've got 'em going And you're careful not to show it Sometimes you even fool yourself a bit It's like magic But it's always been a smoke and mirrors game Anyone would do the same"

    Basically this is saying this individual (in my opinion, a female or ex g/f) puts on a "Show", being one person, but acting like another, like split personalities. The person is a "fake" or "fraud". They're a fraud. It's a smoke & mirrors game means that this person is putting on a front, working magic to get what they want, they are selfish.

    "So now that you've arrived, well, you wonder - What is it that you've done to make the grade? And should you do the same? (Is that too easy?) Are you only trying to please them? Will they see then- You're desperate to deliver Anything that could give you A sense of reassurance When you look in the mirror"

    The making the grade part is meant to come off as sarcastic, meaning this person really hasn't accomplished anything. Pleasing people is mentioned in here as well, which is self explanatory. They will do anything, even act out of desperation to make themselves feel better at the end of the day, they are insecure.

    "Such highs and lows You put on quite a show All these highs and lows And you're never really sure What you do it for Well do you even want to know? You put on quite a show"

    High and lows refers to how inconsistent this person is with their life, whether emotions, relationships or career. This person is unsure about why they do what they do, but at the same time you wonder if they do it on purpose, to put on a show. Ultimately, this person, deep down does not have a purpose for what they do, no excuse for their actions.

    "You're a fraud and you know it And every night and day you take the stage And it always entertains You're giving pleasure And that's admirable you tell yourself And so you gladly sell yourself To others Mother Are you watching?"

    This is saying that the person puts on a show, like an entertainer, both physically and mentally. Playing mind games with people, while also selling herself or her body to get what she wants, no matter the consequences. "Mother, are you watching?" has stumped me, but my best guess is that he's asking the person's mother if she is watching how crazy and psychotic this person is, the one she raised.

    That's my opinion, any comments are welcome.

    wwilliams23on March 05, 2012   Link

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