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The The — Uncertain Smile
Album: Soul Mining
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 498









Released: 1987
Length: 6:37
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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'll 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 blows the litter as the rain flows,
As street lamps pour orange colored shapes through your window,
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.
Comments (47)add comment
Why have i never heard this before?!
That piano is killer!
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 SmackDaddy wrote:
Lazy8 wrote:
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
That's because you obviously don't know squat about The The. Matt Johnson has more soul and integrity than 99% of the "artists" that get airplay anywhere. Try limiting your comments to something you have real knowledge of.
 
bitch slapped!
Posted 3 years ago by walkerpub    [ Reply ]
Errr, wow! Only ever heard the boring pop single before today, but love this. Great piano playing!! 8
Posted 4 years ago by SnapDragon66    [ Reply ]
Kindred synth and vocal sounds with early O.M.D. 
Posted 4 years ago by firefly6    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
and wanting to be able to play like that. 

Well, I can announce that after over 30 years. . . I still can't. 
 
Honesty really is the best policy. Keep trying, though; you're probably closer than you think.
Posted 4 years ago by gmichaelt    [ Reply ]
 bevandmarkb763 wrote:
Love this song, a great album. Johnny Marr guitar I think and jools Holland piano. got to see them play it live in a small venue. superb
 
Don't think Johny was with the band when this was recorded, he joined later after The Smiths disbanded. However you are 100% correct when you say it is Superb!
Posted 4 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
Love this song, a great album. Johnny Marr guitar I think and jools Holland piano. got to see them play it live in a small venue. superb
Posted 4 years ago by bevandmarkb763    [ Reply ]
Great piano!!
Posted 4 years ago by aciaccia451    [ Reply ]
When this came out I remember repeatedly putting the needle back to Jools Holland's piano solo and wanting to be able to play like that. 

Well, I can announce that after over 30 years. . . I still can't.  

10
Posted 5 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
JOOOOOLS 
Posted 5 years ago by laverdakeith    [ Reply ]
I remember scanning through vinyl albums in the "Record Bar" and coming across this. I bought it for the cover alone. I had no idea it would remain a favorite from that day forward. 
Posted 5 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 Lemonhead wrote:
Jools Holland on piano. SO GOOD
AWESOME still - after all these years,{#Bananapiano} 
 
Yeah, nice one Jools.  I still enjoy his New Year's Eve show, although I naively believed till recently that it was actually recorded live on the Eve...
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Jools Holland on piano. SO GOOD
AWESOME still - after all these years,{#Bananapiano} 
Posted 8 years ago by Lemonhead    [ Reply ]
 stevematic wrote:
weasel of WHFS fame?
 
I remember Weasel!  He can still be heard on the air on WTMD. 

Finding out about 'HFS in the 80's was a milestone in my life.  Hearing this song is like time travel....
Posted 9 years ago by dingusbother    [ Reply ]
Hmm...not too crazy about this song, but I LOVE his follow up album INFECTED. A real gem.
Posted 12 years ago by metod    [ Reply ]
ha ha phoenix wrote:
I wish I could play The The piano!
Posted 16 years ago by linz_bobinz    [ Reply ]
Wow. What a horrible song.
Posted 16 years ago by agnes    [ Reply ]
ahhhhh my youth! The The was integral to my teen self.
Posted 16 years ago by linz_bobinz    [ Reply ]
I wish I could play The The piano!
Posted 16 years ago by phoenix    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
Peeling the skin back from my eyes, I felt suprised 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'll 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 blows the litter as the rain flows, As street lamps pour orange colored shapes through your window, 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. Then that godlike piano kicks in, and you have a master piece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
weasel of WHFS fame? fretman wrote:
As Weasel used to say, "spelled 't-h-e, t-h-e'."
Posted 16 years ago by stevematic    [ Reply ]
Great stuff. Still.
Posted 16 years ago by Billy360    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
How about 1983?
Posted 16 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
That's because you obviously don't know squat about The The. Matt Johnson has more soul and integrity than 99% of the "artists" that get airplay anywhere. Try limiting your comments to something you have real knowledge of.
Posted 16 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Memories, Memories. Still a classic, great to hear.
Posted 16 years ago by andycollingridge    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
couldn't agree more ...
Posted 17 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
Lazy8 wrote:
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
I agree. Love the keyboard though ...
Posted 17 years ago by jamm    [ Reply ]
Good Stuff!
Posted 17 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
This brings back some memories. Very innovative, when it came out! They were 'new wave' back then.
Posted 17 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
Excellent band, excellent song.
Posted 17 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
FAY wrote:
Jools Holland (Squeeze) on the keyboard
Strange, I thought I was the only one who knew that little piece of trivia. Good on ya.
Posted 17 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
Soul Mining was for a time was THE album for me... I can clearly remember wearing it out Thanks for this Bill ... makes me remember a time when I was much younger
Posted 17 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Thank you for playing this I am having sucky day, and this just brightend me up.
Posted 17 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
Sounds like an 80's drum machine beat to me
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
An 8.
Posted 17 years ago by SchizoidMan    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
all time favorite song, i think he wrote it as a teenager, when i saw them live the marimba solo was replaced with a keyboard that was a wind instrument.
Posted 17 years ago by jpm9678    [ Reply ]
Until the keyboard solo this felt like 1982: a dippy band name and soulless music. Don't think it was worth wading thru the rest of the song for that, tho.
Posted 17 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
sharkartist wrote:
I love the extended piano solo at the end. It just goes and goes to the point where I wonder if the engineer hadn't faded him out, that he might still be in there playing today!
LOL! Very true and knowing Jools.... he would :
Posted 17 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
Nice instrumental break...groovin'
Posted 17 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
weak vocals... amazing keyboard work! I like :D
Jools Holland (Squeeze) on the keyboard
Posted 17 years ago by FAY    [ Reply ]
Skeletor wrote:
Uploaded 22-Dec-2003. This is the remix version. I would prefer the original version which is a bit cleaner, but is longer and drags on a bit.
I love the extended piano solo at the end. It just goes and goes to the point where I wonder if the engineer hadn't faded him out, that he might still be in there playing today!
Posted 17 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
weak vocals... amazing keyboard work! I like :D
Posted 17 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Like this version, but the version with the vibes, sax, and flute is the best!
Posted 17 years ago by mnuisance    [ Reply ]
aahh...Beautiful. Thank you Bill
Posted 17 years ago by FAY    [ Reply ]
As Weasel used to say, "spelled 't-h-e, t-h-e'."
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
Uploaded 22-Dec-2003. This is the remix version. I would prefer the original version which is a bit cleaner, but is longer and drags on a bit.
Posted 20 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]