John Mellencamp Songs - Between a Laugh and a Tear Lyrics

John Mellencamp - Between a Laugh and a Tear

John Mellencamp - Between a Laugh and a Tear Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Scarecrow
Released: 1985

Between a Laugh and a Tear Lyrics

When paradise is no longer fit for you to live in
And your adolescent dreams are gone
Through the days you feel a little used up
And you don't know where your energy's gone wrong
It's just your soul feelin' a little downhearted
Sometimes life is too ridiculous to live
You count your friends all on one finger
I know it sounds crazy just the way that we live

Between a Laugh and a Tear
Smile in the mirror as you walk by
Between a laugh and a tear
And that's as good as it can get for us
And there ain't no reason to stop tryin'

When this cardboard town can no longer amuse you
You see through everything and nothin' seems worthwhile
And hypocrite used to be such a big word to you
And it don't seem to mean anything to you now
Just try to live each and every precious moment
Don't be discouraged by the future forget the past
That's old advise but it'll be good to you
I know there's a balance see it when I swing past

Between a laugh and a tear
Smile in the mirror as you walk by
Between a laugh and a tear
And that's as good as it can get for us
And there ain't no reason to stop tryin'

Between a laugh and a tear
Smile in the mirror as you walk by
Between a laugh and a tear
And that's as good as it can get for us
And there ain't no reason to stop tryin'

When paradise can no longer amuse you

Writer/s: MELLENCAMP, JOHN
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Between a Laugh and a Tear

Scarecrow was Mellencamp's eighth album, and by then he had paid his dues and become one of the most successful musicians in America. Despite his triumphs, he was going through severe emotional difficulties at the time, including a panic disorder. In this song, he explores that dichotomy - how success can simply amplify your emotions, both good and bad.

Mellencamp has a notorious temper, which he says is the result of a condition he suffered from as a child: spina bifida. "I had a hole in my spine and all my nerve endings were on the outside of my body," he told Rolling Stone. "They were all exposed to air, so it's no wonder I go up and down so quickly."