Song Meaning
Allan Sherman's "Smog Gets In Your Eyes" isn't just a parody; it's a lament disguised as suburban vaudeville. On the surface, the song riffs on the familiar tune of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," twisting romantic longing into a nasal-burning environmental complaint specific to the San Fernando Valley. But underneath the Borscht Belt delivery lies a surprisingly potent commentary on denial, helplessness, and the absurd compromises of modern life. The repeated refrain, "Smog gets in your eyes," evolves from a simple statement of fact into a metaphor for the way we willingly blind ourselves to the consequences of our own consumption.
The lyrics themselves chart a course from naive optimism to frustrated resignation. Initially, the narrator attempts to ignore the problem ("I thought I'd play it wise / So I closed my eyes"), only to find that willful ignorance offers no escape ("Smog gets in my nose"). This progression mirrors the psychological defense mechanisms we employ when confronted with overwhelming problems. The failed attempt to purchase an anti-smog device underscores the futility of individual solutions to systemic issues. It's a darkly comic depiction of consumerism as a band-aid on a gaping wound.
Ultimately, the song doesn't offer easy answers or solutions. The final verse, with its suggestion that horse-drawn carriages would be preferable to smog-belching cars, veers into satire, implying that even the most drastic solutions have their drawbacks ("there'd be something worse / In your eyes!"). This ambiguity is precisely what elevates "Smog Gets In Your Eyes" beyond mere novelty. It's a recognition that environmental problems are complex, multifaceted, and deeply intertwined with our desires and lifestyles. Sherman's genius lies in making us laugh at our predicament while simultaneously forcing us to confront its uncomfortable reality.
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