| "Smile" | |
|---|---|
| Song byCharlie Chaplin | |
| Written |
|
| Published | 1954 byBourne |
| Length | 2:52 |
| Composer | Charlie Chaplin |
| Lyricists | |
| Audio video | |
| "Smile" onYouTube | |
"Smile" is a song based on the theme song used in the soundtrack forCharlie Chaplin's 1936 filmModern Times.
Chaplin, who composed the song with the help of composerDavid Raksin, was inspired by a sequence in the first act love duet fromPuccini's operaTosca, beginning with Cavaradossi singing "Quale occhio al mondo può star di paro".[1]John Turner andGeoffrey 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]
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Nat King Cole recorded the first version with lyrics. It charted in 1954, reaching number 10 on theBillboard charts and number 2 on theUK Singles Chart. This version was also used at the beginning of the 1975 movieSmile.
Sammy Davis Jr. recorded a cover version of the Cole original, as part of his tribute albumThe Nat King Cole Songbook in 1965.
| Chart (1954) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop) | 2 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 2 |
| USBillboard Hot 100 | 10 |
| "Smile" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Promotional single byMichael Jackson | ||||
| from the albumHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | December 28, 1997 (1997-12-28) | |||
| Recorded | March 11–12, 1995 | |||
| Studio | The Hit Factory (New York)[4] | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Composer | Charlie Chaplin | |||
| Lyricists | ||||
| Producers |
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| Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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| Licensed audio | ||||
| "Smile" onYouTube | ||||
American singerMichael Jackson recorded "Smile" forHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995). It was scheduled to be released as the final single from the album in 1997, but was withdrawn before its intended commercial release and was only released promotionally in limited quantities.[5] It is performed in theMichael Jackson: One Las Vegas production.
Entertainment Weekly called Jackson's version of the song a "destined-for-Disney rendition."[6] James Hunter ofRolling Stone wrote a negative review: "the climactic version of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" has zero point of view on itself; its blend of rampaging ego and static orchestral pop is aStreisand-size mistake."[7]
Jackson considered the original "Smile" to be one of his favorite songs.[5] In 2009 atJackson's memorial service, his brotherJermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in Michael's honor.[8]
CD maxi single (withdrawn)[9]
12" maxi single (withdrawn)[9]
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany (GfK)[10] | 71 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[11] | 70 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 74 |
| USDigital Song Sales (Billboard)[13] | 56 |
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
