29:
261:
Both versions of "Smiling Faces
Sometimes" deal with the same subject matter, "back-stabbing" friends who do their friends wrong behind their backs ("Smiling faces sometimes...they don't tell the truth...smiling faces tell lies"), but in different ways. The lyrics inform the Listener to not be fooled
827:
272:
album, "Smiling Faces
Sometimes" runs over 12 minutes, most of which is extended instrumental passages without any vocals. This version established the epic, cinematic approach to the group's productions that Whitfield would perfect on subsequent hits like
383:
Virginia "Vee" McDonald, who was the female lead singer in the second incarnation of The
Undisputed Truth (after Brenda Evans and Billie Calvin left in 1973), recorded a solo version of the song in 1990 for
353:"Help Yourself". "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was re-recorded by The Temptations shortly after its release, and this re-recorded version became not only a #1 pop hit, but a three-time
1355:
248:
49:
1058:
1149:
1345:
804:
244:
268:
760:
1340:
1173:
780:
1360:
1051:
937:
889:
748:, with lead vocals by Peter Hoorelbeke. Contains Spanish lyrics at the beginning that are ignored in all transcriptions of the lyrics.
278:
281:" (1973). An edited version was planned as the Temptations' summer 1971 single release, but this plan was dropped when lead vocalist
859:
963:
293:
1350:
682:
1370:
1335:
288:
Whitfield was known for recording dramatically different versions of the same song with different Motown artists, including
285:, frustrated by personnel problems within the group, quit the Temptations and signed a solo deal with Motown in March 1971.
1044:
624:
1375:
1157:
1234:
346:
297:
367:" quotes the lyrics "smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes...(tell lies)" in the refrain near the end of the song.
28:
1031:
469:
305:
262:
by the smile, the handshake, or the pat on the back. The
Temptations' original uses an arrangement similar to a
312:). After Kendricks left The Temptations, an undaunted Whitfield re-recorded the song with his latest protégés,
274:
1003:
1165:
1250:
1330:
1193:
740:
372:
1067:
616:
607:
439:
364:
319:
233:
162:
40:
1365:
589:
485:
580:
341:
Future
Undisputed Truth singles would never make it higher than #63, a position attained by both
1275:
855:
651:
443:
389:
377:
335:
313:
237:
58:
1304:
765:
745:
638:
209:
139:
93:
80:
941:
893:
815:
1309:
686:
678:
664:
571:
282:
229:
221:
151:
1121:
674:
668:
642:
424:
327:
213:
143:
36:
1324:
871:
690:
598:
360:
350:
342:
263:
225:
915:
354:
331:
326:
ranked the resulting single as the #14 song for 1971. It has since been covered by
316:
289:
116:
1019:
785:
623:
In 2024 "Smiling Faces
Sometimes" was sampled in Metro Boomin and Future's song
309:
301:
88:
1025:
385:
205:
133:
702:
Lead and background vocals by Joe Harris, Billie Rae Calvin, and Brenda Joyce
266:
film score to represent feelings of fear and timidness. Included on the 1971
1114:
724:
985:
247:
released by the
Undisputed Truth, and was included on their debut album
1036:
217:
121:
457:
938:"Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 25, 1971"
712:
Released on their self-titled album in 1971 and re-issued in 2007.
578:
In 2013, "Smiling Faces
Sometimes" was featured in the video game
605:
In 2017, "Smiling Faces
Sometimes" was featured in the TV series
992:
1040:
614:
In 2005, "Smiling Faces
Sometimes" was featured in the movie
400:
1227:"You Make Your Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" (1971)
322:. Their version is noted for the line: "Can You Dig It".
188:"You Make Your Own Heaven And Hell Right Here On Earth"
1240:"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1972)
370:
Whitfield later revisited the song for the 1973 album
1246:"Mama, I Got a Brand New Thing (Don't Say No)" (1973)
1297:
1210:
1141:
1020:
List of cover versions of "Smiling Faces Sometimes"
596:In 2019, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was featured in
587:In 2014, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was featured in
161:
149:
131:
115:
99:
87:
76:
68:
56:
46:
35:
21:
828:"Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada"
243:position for the group. "Smiling Faces" was the
1027:The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes
890:"Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 18, 1971"
816:Virginia "Vee" McDonald discography at Disgogs
1052:
232:Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded by
8:
1356:Song recordings produced by Norman Whitfield
916:"Top 100 Hits of 1971/Top 100 Songs of 1971"
602:, Season 1 Episode 1 "Man is First Destiny".
236:the same year, resulting in a number-three
1059:
1045:
1037:
805:Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1971
505:
409:
27:
18:
852:Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990
1290:"I Can't Get Enough of Your Love" (1979)
593:, Season 3 Episode 17 "Flesh and Blood".
376:, recorded by Motown's white rock band,
797:
45:
34:
1217:"Save My Love for a Rainy Day" (1971)
569:In 1995, it was featured in the film
220:label. It was originally recorded by
7:
1281:"Let's Go Down to the Disco" (1976)
761:Me 'N Rock 'N Roll Are Here To Stay
83:(Studio A); Detroit, Michigan, 1971
16:1971 single by The Undisputed Truth
296:" (re-recorded as hit records for
290:Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
14:
1346:Songs written by Norman Whitfield
1004:"Joan Osborne How Sweet It Is CD"
876:Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993
294:I Heard It Through the Grapevine
1341:Songs written by Barrett Strong
878:. Record Research. p. 244.
380:, which he produced and wrote.
174:"Save My Love For A Rainy Day"
1:
1262:"Lil' Red Riding Hood" (1974)
1243:"Girl, You're Alright" (1972)
738:Released on their 1973 album
363:' similarly themed 1972 hit "
647:Produced by Norman Whitfield
492:
308:" (re-recorded as a hit for
298:Gladys Knight & the Pips
1271:"Boogie Bump Boogie" (1975)
1259:"I'm a Fool for You" (1974)
1158:Face to Face With the Truth
778:Released on her 2002 album
758:Released on his 1974 album
722:Released on her 1972 album
707:East Of Underground version
1392:
1361:Cashbox number-one singles
1109:Calvin "Dhaak" Stephenson
508:
415:
412:
1268:"Higher Than High" (1975)
1104:Tyrone "Lil Ty" Barkeley
1074:
169:
64:"You Got the Love I Need"
26:
22:"Smiling Faces Sometimes"
1235:Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
1099:Tyrone "Big Ty" Douglas
968:. 1971-12-25. p. 15
697:Undisputed Truth version
347:Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
304:) and the Temptations' "
275:Papa Was a Rolling Stone
1222:Smiling Faces Sometimes
832:Collectionscanada.gc.ca
202:Smiling Faces Sometimes
181:Smiling Faces Sometimes
1351:Psychedelic soul songs
1256:"Help Yourself" (1974)
1094:Virginia "V" McDonald
1022:at SecondHandSongs.com
717:Bobbi Humphrey version
1371:Gordy Records singles
1336:The Temptations songs
1194:Method to the Madness
918:. musicoutfitters.com
673:Background vocals by
1150:The Undisputed Truth
1068:The Undisputed Truth
773:Joan Osborne version
753:David Ruffin version
320:the Undisputed Truth
250:The Undisputed Truth
234:the Undisputed Truth
163:The Undisputed Truth
50:The Undisputed Truth
41:The Undisputed Truth
1230:"What It Is" (1972)
1089:Brenda Joyce Evans
764:, also produced by
744:, also produced by
658:Temptations version
650:Instrumentation by
540:U.S. R&B/Soul (
1376:David Ruffin songs
1287:"Show Time" (1979)
1084:Billie Rae Calvin
944:on October 6, 2016
733:Rare Earth version
581:Grand Theft Auto V
564:In popular culture
245:only Top 40 single
165:singles chronology
1318:
1317:
1284:"Sunshine" (1977)
652:the Funk Brothers
625:We Dont Trust You
560:
559:
553:
552:
497:
496:
390:Motorcity Records
198:
197:
194:
193:
127:
1383:
1305:Norman Whitfield
1298:Related articles
1187:Higher Than High
1061:
1054:
1047:
1038:
1028:
1007:
1001:
995:
983:
977:
976:
974:
973:
960:
954:
953:
951:
949:
940:. Archived from
934:
928:
927:
925:
923:
912:
906:
905:
903:
901:
892:. Archived from
886:
880:
879:
868:
862:
849:
843:
842:
840:
839:
824:
818:
813:
807:
802:
766:Norman Whitfield
746:Norman Whitfield
639:Norman Whitfield
506:
410:
401:
357:winner as well.
210:Norman Whitfield
208:song written by
171:
170:
157:Norman Whitfield
154:
140:Norman Whitfield
136:
125:
111:
110:
106:
94:Psychedelic soul
81:Hitsville U.S.A.
61:
31:
19:
1391:
1390:
1386:
1385:
1384:
1382:
1381:
1380:
1321:
1320:
1319:
1314:
1310:The Temptations
1293:
1276:You + Me = Love
1251:Law of the Land
1206:
1166:Law of the Land
1137:
1133:Lloyd Williams
1128:Melvin Stewart
1070:
1065:
1026:
1016:
1011:
1010:
1002:
998:
984:
980:
971:
969:
962:
961:
957:
947:
945:
936:
935:
931:
921:
919:
914:
913:
909:
899:
897:
896:on June 7, 2015
888:
887:
883:
870:
869:
865:
850:
846:
837:
835:
826:
825:
821:
814:
810:
803:
799:
794:
781:How Sweet It Is
775:
755:
735:
719:
709:
699:
687:Eddie Kendricks
679:Melvin Franklin
665:Eddie Kendricks
663:Lead vocals by
660:
634:
572:Dead Presidents
566:
561:
549:
504:
502:Year-end charts
417:
408:
398:
283:Eddie Kendricks
269:Sky's the Limit
259:
222:the Temptations
189:
184:
175:
150:
142:
132:
124:
108:
104:
103:
57:
47:from the album
17:
12:
11:
5:
1389:
1387:
1379:
1378:
1373:
1368:
1363:
1358:
1353:
1348:
1343:
1338:
1333:
1323:
1322:
1316:
1315:
1313:
1312:
1307:
1301:
1299:
1295:
1294:
1292:
1291:
1288:
1285:
1282:
1279:
1272:
1269:
1266:
1263:
1260:
1257:
1254:
1247:
1244:
1241:
1238:
1231:
1228:
1225:
1218:
1214:
1212:
1208:
1207:
1205:
1204:
1198:
1190:
1184:
1178:
1170:
1162:
1154:
1145:
1143:
1139:
1138:
1136:
1135:
1130:
1125:
1118:
1111:
1106:
1101:
1096:
1091:
1086:
1081:
1075:
1072:
1071:
1066:
1064:
1063:
1056:
1049:
1041:
1035:
1034:
1023:
1015:
1014:External links
1012:
1009:
1008:
996:
978:
955:
929:
907:
881:
872:Whitburn, Joel
863:
844:
819:
808:
796:
795:
793:
790:
789:
788:
774:
771:
770:
769:
754:
751:
750:
749:
734:
731:
730:
729:
718:
715:
714:
713:
708:
705:
704:
703:
698:
695:
694:
693:
675:Dennis Edwards
671:
669:Dennis Edwards
659:
656:
655:
654:
648:
645:
643:Barrett Strong
633:
630:
629:
628:
621:
612:
603:
594:
585:
576:
565:
562:
558:
557:
551:
550:
547:
545:
537:
536:
533:
526:
525:
522:
514:
513:
510:
503:
500:
498:
495:
494:
491:
481:
480:
477:
470:Easy Listening
465:
464:
461:
450:
449:
446:
434:
433:
430:
420:
419:
414:
407:
404:
399:
397:
394:
338:, and others.
328:Bobbi Humphrey
277:" (1972) and "
258:
255:
214:Barrett Strong
196:
195:
192:
191:
186:
177:
167:
166:
159:
158:
155:
147:
146:
144:Barrett Strong
137:
129:
128:
119:
113:
112:
101:
97:
96:
91:
85:
84:
78:
74:
73:
70:
66:
65:
62:
54:
53:
44:
43:
33:
32:
24:
23:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1388:
1377:
1374:
1372:
1369:
1367:
1364:
1362:
1359:
1357:
1354:
1352:
1349:
1347:
1344:
1342:
1339:
1337:
1334:
1332:
1329:
1328:
1326:
1311:
1308:
1306:
1303:
1302:
1300:
1296:
1289:
1286:
1283:
1280:
1277:
1273:
1270:
1267:
1265:"UFOs" (1975)
1264:
1261:
1258:
1255:
1252:
1248:
1245:
1242:
1239:
1236:
1232:
1229:
1226:
1223:
1219:
1216:
1215:
1213:
1209:
1202:
1199:
1196:
1195:
1191:
1188:
1185:
1182:
1179:
1176:
1175:
1174:Down to Earth
1171:
1168:
1167:
1163:
1160:
1159:
1155:
1152:
1151:
1147:
1146:
1144:
1142:Studio albums
1140:
1134:
1131:
1129:
1126:
1124:
1123:
1119:
1117:
1116:
1112:
1110:
1107:
1105:
1102:
1100:
1097:
1095:
1092:
1090:
1087:
1085:
1082:
1080:
1077:
1076:
1073:
1069:
1062:
1057:
1055:
1050:
1048:
1043:
1042:
1039:
1033:
1029:
1024:
1021:
1018:
1017:
1013:
1006:, CD Universe
1005:
1000:
997:
994:
990:
988:
987:American Soul
982:
979:
967:
966:
959:
956:
943:
939:
933:
930:
917:
911:
908:
895:
891:
885:
882:
877:
873:
867:
864:
861:
860:0-89820-089-X
857:
853:
848:
845:
833:
829:
823:
820:
817:
812:
809:
806:
801:
798:
791:
787:
783:
782:
777:
776:
772:
767:
763:
762:
757:
756:
752:
747:
743:
742:
737:
736:
732:
727:
726:
721:
720:
716:
711:
710:
706:
701:
700:
696:
692:
691:Otis Williams
688:
684:
683:Paul Williams
680:
676:
672:
670:
666:
662:
661:
657:
653:
649:
646:
644:
640:
636:
635:
631:
626:
622:
619:
618:
617:Four Brothers
613:
610:
609:
604:
601:
600:
599:American Soul
595:
592:
591:
586:
584:
582:
577:
574:
573:
568:
567:
563:
556:
546:
543:
539:
538:
534:
532:
528:
527:
523:
520:
516:
515:
511:
509:Chart (1971)
507:
501:
499:
489:
488:
483:
482:
478:
475:
471:
467:
466:
462:
459:
456:
452:
451:
447:
445:
442:
441:
436:
435:
431:
428:
427:
422:
421:
413:Chart (1971)
411:
406:Weekly charts
405:
403:
402:
396:Chart history
395:
393:
391:
387:
381:
379:
375:
374:
368:
366:
365:Back Stabbers
362:
358:
356:
352:
348:
344:
339:
337:
333:
329:
325:
321:
318:
315:
311:
307:
303:
299:
295:
291:
286:
284:
280:
276:
271:
270:
265:
264:haunted house
256:
254:
252:
251:
246:
242:
240:
235:
231:
227:
223:
219:
215:
211:
207:
203:
187:
182:
178:
173:
172:
168:
164:
160:
156:
153:
148:
145:
141:
138:
135:
134:Songwriter(s)
130:
123:
120:
118:
114:
102:
98:
95:
92:
90:
86:
82:
79:
75:
71:
67:
63:
60:
55:
52:
51:
42:
38:
30:
25:
20:
1331:1971 singles
1221:
1200:
1192:
1186:
1181:Cosmic Truth
1180:
1172:
1164:
1156:
1148:
1132:
1127:
1122:Marcy Thomas
1120:
1113:
1108:
1103:
1098:
1093:
1088:
1083:
1078:
999:
986:
981:
970:. Retrieved
964:
958:
948:December 10,
946:. Retrieved
942:the original
932:
920:. Retrieved
910:
900:December 10,
898:. Retrieved
894:the original
884:
875:
866:
851:
847:
836:. Retrieved
834:. 1971-09-18
831:
822:
811:
800:
779:
759:
739:
723:
615:
606:
597:
588:
579:
570:
554:
541:
530:
518:
486:
473:
454:
438:
429:Top Singles
425:
382:
371:
369:
359:
355:Grammy Award
340:
332:Joan Osborne
323:
287:
267:
260:
249:
238:
201:
199:
180:
72:May 13, 1971
48:
1079:Joe Harris
786:Isaac Hayes
637:Written by
314:psychedelic
310:Edwin Starr
302:Marvin Gaye
279:Masterpiece
152:Producer(s)
1366:1971 songs
1325:Categories
972:2016-10-03
922:1 December
838:2017-04-04
792:References
386:Ian Levine
378:Rare Earth
361:The O'Jays
336:Rare Earth
1115:Taka Boom
989:TV series
965:Billboard
725:Dig This!
632:Personnel
542:Billboard
521:Hot 100
519:Billboard
474:Billboard
455:Billboard
440:Billboard
418:position
392:project.
324:Billboard
239:Billboard
1278:" (1976)
1253:" (1973)
1237:" (1972)
1224:" (1971)
874:(1993).
608:Snowfall
531:Cash Box
490:Top 100
487:Cash Box
388:and his
257:Overview
230:Producer
216:for the
77:Recorded
69:Released
1211:Singles
1201:Smokin'
1032:YouTube
590:Scandal
458:R&B
444:Hot 100
423:Canada
241:Hot 100
204:" is a
190:(1971)
185:(1971)
176:(1971)
1203:(1979)
1197:(1976)
1189:(1975)
1183:(1975)
1177:(1974)
1169:(1973)
1161:(1972)
1153:(1971)
858:
689:, and
555:
460:/Soul
351:1974's
349:" and
343:1972's
300:, and
218:Motown
126:G 7108
100:Length
59:B-side
37:Single
784:with
529:U.S.
517:U.S.
512:Rank
484:U.S.
468:U.S.
453:U.S.
437:U.S.
122:Gordy
117:Label
89:Genre
993:IMDb
950:2017
924:2017
902:2017
856:ISBN
667:and
641:and
416:Peak
317:trio
226:1971
212:and
206:soul
1030:on
991:at
535:19
524:14
479:34
426:RPM
306:War
292:' "
224:in
39:by
1327::
854:-
830:.
741:Ma
685:,
681:,
677:,
548:17
544:)
493:1
476:)
463:2
448:3
432:6
373:Ma
334:,
330:,
253:.
228:.
183:"
109:16
1274:"
1249:"
1233:"
1220:"
1060:e
1053:t
1046:v
975:.
952:.
926:.
904:.
841:.
768:.
728:.
627:.
620:.
611:.
583:.
575:.
472:(
345:"
273:"
200:"
179:"
107::
105:3
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
