Fake Smile

### Writers

Y/N, Andrew Wansel, Nathan Perez, Priscilla Renea, Kennedi Lykken, Justin Tranter, Ariana Grande, Joseph W. Frierson, Mary Lou Frierson

## Audio

"**Fake Smile**" (stylized in all lowercase) is the fifth track from Y/N's first studio album and Ariana Grande's fifth studio album, *Thank U, Next*. It released on February 8, 2019, through Republic Records and Dream Records.

Lyrically, the song is about the attack on Ariana's concert in Manchester and the death of her friend Mac Miller, and the emotional toll that these events inflicted upon her. And also talks about the media pressure persecution on artists and how it chock them, always having to make fake smiles always in moments when we didn't want to be there.

A live version of the song is featured on *K Bye For Now (SWT Live)*, which was released on December 23, 2019.

Demo (Pro Tools): ( listen)

## Background

Y/N confirmed the song via Twitter on December 13, 2018.

The song contains a sample from Wendy Rene’s 1964 song "After Laughter (Comes Tears)." The sampled part was teased by Ariana via Instagram on January 25, 2019.

The demo of the song leaked on June 11th, 2023.

## Chart performance

On the week ending February 23, 2019, the song debuted at 26 on the US *Billboard* Hot 100. In the following week, the song dropped to 57, being its last week on the chart.

## Live performances

The song was a regular part of the setlist of Grande's and Y/N's Sweetener World Tour, which began on March 18, 2019.

Ariana Grande - Fake Smile (Sweetener World Tour, Vancouver)
## Lyrics

**[Intro: Wendy Rene]**

*After laughter comes tears*

*After laughter comes tears*

**[Verse 1: Y/N]**

Another night, another party, sayin' hi to everybody

I'm sorry, I start to leave, I gotta leave now

Got somewhere I gotta be now, I'm starving

Can somebody walk me to my car?

If I go alone, I'm not gon' make it very far

I'm happy for the love and all of the above

If I'm being honest, I done been through way too much

**[Pre-Chorus: Y/N]**

I can't fake another smile

I can't fake like I'm alright

Wooo, ah (Woo, ah)

And I won't say I'm feeling fine

After what I been through, I can't lie

Wooo, ah (Wooo, ah)

**[Chorus: Y/N]**

Fuck a fake smile, smile

Fuck a fake smile, fake smile

**[Verse 2: Y/N]**

I read the things they write about me

Hear what they're sayin' on the TV, it's crazy

It's gettin' hard for them to shock me

But every now and then, it's shocking, don't blame me

I know it's the life that I chose

But baby, I'm grateful, I want you to know

I'm happy for the love and all of the above

If I'm being honest, I done been through way too much

**[Pre-Chorus: Y/N]**

I can't fake another smile

I can't fake like I'm alright

Wooo, ah (Wooo, ah)

And I won't say I'm feeling fine

After what I been through, I can't lie

Wooo, ah (Wooo, ah)

**[Chorus: Y/N]**

Fuck a fake smile, smile

Fuck a fake smile, fake smile

**[Bridge: Y/N]**

If I'm hurt, I ain't gon' lie about it

Arms crossed with the attitude, lips pouted

If I'm mad, I ain't gon' lie about it

Neck roll with the attitude, yeah

If I'm hurt, I ain't gon' lie about it

Arms crossed with the attitude, lips pouted

If I'm mad, I ain't gon' lie about it

Neck roll with the attitude, yeah

**[Pre-Chorus: Y/N]**

I can't fake another smile (And I can't fake)

I can't fake like I'm alright (Another smile)

Wooo (Wooo), ah (Wooo, ah) (Wooo)

And I won't say I'm feeling fine (I'm feeling fine)

After what I been through, I can't lie

Wooo (Wooo), ah (Wooo, ah) (Wooo)

**[Chorus: Y/N]**

Fuck a fake smile, smile (Fuck a fake smile, smile)

Fuck a fake smile (Fuck a fake smile), fake smile (smile) (Yeah)

## Navigation

 Released