Songfacts®:

• In 2010, Josh and Zac Farro left Paramore, sparking a storm of conflicting stories about the reasons for the split. Frontwoman Hayley Williams has admitted that after their departure she was prone to pretending everything was fine when in reality she was masking her sadness.
  
  I been doing a good job of makin' 'em think
  I'm quite alright
  Better hope I don't blink
  You see, it's easy when I'm stomping on a beat
  But no one sees me when I crawl back underneath
  
  Speaking with Beats 1, Williams explained how the song is inspired by her hatred of phoniness.
  
  "It's not fun to be around, it's not fun to do yourself," she said. "But then there are these moments in your life where you're professional and you have to have grace with yourself, you have to have grace with other people and work hard, but it's that self-preservation thing."
• In early 2017, Zac Farro rejoined Paramore and he directed this song's music video. The clip follows Hayley Williams as she wanders through the streets of New York surrounded by people with upside down smiley faces.
  
  "The 'Fake Happy' video was a very special video for me," explained Zac Farro. "This is the first time I've directed a music video on film. It was shot on 35mm. Also the first time working with my talented friend and DP, Josh Goleman. Everyone involved was amazing. I'm super stoked for people to see this music video. I feel it's subtle and charming and suits the song perfectly."