The meaning of this saying is clear: “Love is blind.” That is, love or infatuation often makes it difficult for us to be objective about things. It is interesting that this is an old Russian proverb—in the light of the fact that Ayn Rand, who was born in Russia, and rejected so much of that country’s culture, provided in her personal life an illustration of its truth.

The second half of the proverb is, of course, the title of a great song also. And in “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” the lyricist Otto Harbach gave another meaning to this second half:

Now, laughing friends deride

Tears I cannot hide.

So I smile and say

“When a lovely flame dies

“Smoke gets in your eyes.”

In other words, the end of a love affair brings heartbreak and tears. The speaker has been forced to acknowledge the prescience of those he had chaffed, but he saves face with a sad, sheepish joke.

It’s a great lyric, but it could never shine without the great melody by Jerome Kern attached to it. A lyric without a melody is almost always mediocre verse at best. This tune was originally written as a tap dance number, but Harbach suggested that it be slowed down and made into a ballad. It was included in the musical Roberta (1933 Broadway; 1935 movie). Kern must have been especially proud of this creation: whenever the lyricist, in conversation, mentioned its genesis, the composer would cut him off.

The song has become a standard, the most well-known recording nowadays being that by The Platters, which reached number one on the charts in 1959. Hard as it is to believe today for those who are familiar with the recording, Jerome Kern’s widow tried to stop distribution of the Platters’ effort, not wanting the song to be done in a “rock and roll” style.

Perhaps she had not actually heard the end result. Or perhaps she had heard it once only; often, it takes a second hearing for a piece of music to “get to you.” For, although the Platters recording borrows from the doo-wop and rock ’n roll idioms, it is actually very respectful of the tune. In fact, Platters leader Buck Ram’s arrangement could be described as reverential, bringing a level of drama lacking in some other, more conventional treatments.

It is true that extra, melismatic notes are added to the melody, and there is at least one added harmony (which for all I know Jerome Kern may have used himself in some arrangements). But the added notes are not objectionable, being part of the style that The Platters were using. There are two changed notes that to me seem weaker than the original. The words “smoke gets in your eyes” appear twice in the song, and while the first time all the notes are as in the sheet music, the second time there are different notes on the words “in your.” This may have in fact been an error that no one noticed, or that for one reason or another was not corrected. But for most listeners, they do not spoil the song.

One only has to hear that harp, those yearning violin notes, that gently swaying feel that pervades the record, to know that the musicians had the deepest regard for the material.

Those who are not familiar with the record, or who wish to see a video of The Platters, are invited to click the following link.

But, regardless of your reaction, in your journey through life, please remember to keep in mind: When your heart is on fire … smoke gets in your eyes.

 

(Edited by Rodney Rawlings on 9/06, 11:54am)