Lyrics
[Intro - Freddie speaking to crowd]
(All right, good evening... yes... hello)
(Thank you, you're very kind...)
(This next one's a little story... about a friend of mine)
(Or perhaps a friend of yours... who knows?)
(Ha! Anyway... it goes something like this...)
[Verse 1]
Smilin' Jack had a velvet laugh
A diamond wink and a photograph
Of a life that looked so grand
Worth a fortune in a foreign land
Painted walls and Sunday best
Polished shoes upon his chest
Everybody said "what a lucky bloke"
Nobody saw the smoke
[Pre-Chorus]
But late at night when the curtains fall
He'd stare at nothing in the hall
[Chorus]
Let me tell you 'bout the shadow in the light
Let me tell you 'bout the sunshine in the night
Oh the grin that hides the ache
For goodness sake
Let me tell you...
[Post-Chorus]
(Let me tell you) Let me tell you
(Let me tell you) Let me tell you
[Guitar Solo - Brian May style - wailing and melodic]
[Verse 2]
Lady Grace in her satin dress
Had a kingdom to impress
Champagne bubbles in her eyes
But she'd cry behind closed thighs
Golden carriage silver spoon
Dancing underneath the moon
All that glitters ain't that gold
A story never told
[Pre-Chorus]
And when the party finally died
She'd run her fingers through the pride
[Chorus]
Let me tell you 'bout the shadow in the light
Let me tell you 'bout the sunshine in the night
Oh the grin that hides the ache
For goodness sake
Let me tell you...
[Post-Chorus]
(Let me tell you) Let me tell you
(Let me tell you) Let me tell you
[Piano Interlude - vaudeville style]
[Bridge - slowing down]
We all wear our painted faces
Running through the same old races
Smilin' Jack and Lady Grace
Same old sorrow different face
[Guitar and Drums build up]
[Breakdown - call and response]
(Are you happy?) I'm delighted!
(Are you happy?) Yeah I've got it!
(Are you happy?) Well I might be
If the mirror don't erase me!
[Guitar Solo - outtro]
(Go on Brian!)
(Roar!)
[Outro - Freddie]
(Let me tell you... let me tell you...)
(There's always something underneath...)
(Ha! Goodnight!)