"Smile"
Song by Charlie Chaplin
Written
  • 1936 (instrumental theme)
  • 1954 (lyrics)
Published1954 by Bourne
Length2:52
Composer(s)Charlie Chaplin
Lyricist(s)

"Smile" is a song based on the theme song used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film Modern Times.

Background

Chaplin, who composed the song, with the help of composer David Raksin was inspired by a sequence in the first act love duet from Puccini's opera Tosca, beginning with Cavaradossi singing "Quale occhio al mondo può star di paro".[1] John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.[2] In the lyrics, based on lines and themes from the film, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile.

"Smile" has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin's film and has been recorded by numerous artists.[3]

Cover versions

Nat King Cole version

Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole recorded the first version with lyrics. It charted in 1954, reaching number 10 on the Billboard charts and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. This version was also used at the beginning of the 1975 movie Smile.

Sammy Davis Jr. recorded a cover version of the Cole original, as part of his tribute album The Nat King Cole Songbook in 1965.

Charts

Chart (1954) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop) 2
UK Singles (OCC) 2
US Billboard Hot 100 10

Michael Jackson version

"Smile"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
B-side
  • "Is It Scary"
  • "Off the Wall" (Junior Vasquez remix)
ReleasedDecember 28, 1997 (1997-12-28)
RecordedMarch 11–12, 1995
StudioThe Hit Factory (New York)[4]
GenreSoul
Length
  • 4:55 (album version)
  • 4:10 (short version)
LabelEpic
Composer(s)Charlie Chaplin
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Is It Scary"
(1997)		 "Smile"
(1997)		 "You Rock My World"
(2001)

Singer Michael Jackson often cited "Smile" as his favourite song and recorded it for his 1995 double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It was scheduled to be released as the seventh and final single from the album in 1997. However, it was cancelled at the last minute and only a few copies, mostly promos, went into circulation in the UK, South Africa and the Netherlands, making it one of the rarest and most collectible of all Jackson's releases.[5] Entertainment Weekly called this version of the song a "destined-for-Disney rendition."[6] In 2009 at Jackson's memorial, his brother Jermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in Michael's honor.[7] This song is performed in the Michael Jackson: One Las Vegas production.

Track listing

CD maxi single[8]

  1. "Smile" (short version) – 4:10
  2. "Is It Scary" (radio edit) – 4:11
  3. "Is It Scary" (Eddie's Love Mix Edit) – 3:50
  4. "Is It Scary" (Downtempo Groove Mix) – 4:50
  5. "Is It Scary" (Deep Dish Dark and Scary Radio Edit) – 4:34

12" maxi single[8]

  • A1. "Smile" – 4:55
  • A2. "Is It Scary" (Deep Dish Dark and Scary Remix) – 12:07
  • B1. "Is It Scary" (Eddie's Rub-a-Dub Mix) – 5:00
  • B2. "Is It Scary" (Eddie's Love Mix) – 8:00
  • B3. "Off the Wall" (Junior Vasquez Remix) – 4:57

Promotional single

  1. "Smile" (short version) – 4:10

Promotional CD single

  1. "Smile" (short version) – 4:10
  2. "Is It Scary" (radio edit) – 4:11

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)[9] 71
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[10] 70
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 74
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] 56

Other charting versions

Other notable recordings

References

  1. ↑ Schiff, David (February 21, 2012). The Ellington Century. University of California Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0520245877.
  2. ↑ Linda Wada (March 2004). "Smile". Edna Purviance, Charlie Chaplin's Leading Lady - Welcome to Paradise. Retrieved 2010-05-02. Scans of the sheet music clearly attribute authorship of the music and lyrics.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  3. ↑ "secondhandsongs.com". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  4. ↑ Swedien, Bruce (2003). Make Mine Music. Norway: MIA Musikk. p. 184. ISBN 82-996756-1-8.
  5. ↑ Hunter, James (August 10, 1995). "Michael Jackson: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008.
  6. ↑ Browne, David (June 23, 1995). "HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book I Review | Music Reviews and News". Entertainment Weekly.
  7. ↑ Montgomery, James (July 7, 2009). "Jermaine Jackson brings 'Smile,' tears to Michael Jackson memorial". MTV.
  8. 1 2 "MICHAEL JACKSON - SMILE (SONG) - CD Info". australian-charts.com.
  9. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Smile" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  10. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Smile". Swiss Singles Chart.
  11. ↑ "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  12. ↑ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  13. 1 2 Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research Inc. p. 580. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  14. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 74.
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