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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 493









Released: 1987
Length: 6:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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!
 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!
Errr, wow! Only ever heard the boring pop single before today, but love this. Great piano playing!! 8
Kindred synth and vocal sounds with early O.M.D. 
 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.
 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!
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
Great piano!!
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
JOOOOOLS 
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. 
 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...
Jools Holland on piano. SO GOOD
AWESOME still - after all these years,{#Bananapiano} 
 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....
Hmm...not too crazy about this song, but I LOVE his follow up album INFECTED. A real gem.
ha ha phoenix wrote:
I wish I could play The The piano!
Wow. What a horrible song.
ahhhhh my youth! The The was integral to my teen self.
I wish I could play The The piano!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
weasel of WHFS fame? fretman wrote:
As Weasel used to say, "spelled 't-h-e, t-h-e'."
Great stuff. Still.
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?
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.
Memories, Memories. Still a classic, great to hear.
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 ...
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 ...
Good Stuff!
This brings back some memories. Very innovative, when it came out! They were 'new wave' back then.
Excellent band, excellent song.
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.
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
Thank you for playing this I am having sucky day, and this just brightend me up.
Sounds like an 80's drum machine beat to me
An 8.
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.
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.
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 :
Nice instrumental break...groovin'
MsJudi wrote:
weak vocals... amazing keyboard work! I like :D
Jools Holland (Squeeze) on the keyboard
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!
weak vocals... amazing keyboard work! I like :D
Like this version, but the version with the vibes, sax, and flute is the best!
aahh...Beautiful. Thank you Bill
As Weasel used to say, "spelled 't-h-e, t-h-e'."
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.