Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)

Last updated
"Smile"
Song by Charlie Chaplin
Written
  • 1936 (instrumental theme)
  • 1954 (lyrics)
Published1954 by Bourne
Length2:52
Composer(s) Charlie Chaplin
Lyricist(s)
Audio video
"Smile" on YouTube

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

Contents

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 (Gottlieb 01511).jpg
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"
Michael Jackson Smile Single.jpg
Promotional single by Michael Jackson
from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
B-side
ReleasedDecember 28, 1997 (1997-12-28)
RecordedMarch 11–12, 1995
Studio The Hit Factory (New York) [4]
Genre Soul
Length
  • 4:55 (album version)
  • 4:10 (short version)
Label Epic
Composer(s) Charlie Chaplin
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Is It Scary"
(1997)		"Smile"
(1997)		"You Rock My World"
(2001)
Licensed audio
"Smile" on YouTube

American singer Michael Jackson recorded "Smile" for HIStory: 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 It was scheduled to be released as the final single from the album in 1997, but was withdrawn before its intended commercial release and was only released promotionally in limited quantities.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] Jackson considered the original "Smile" to be one of his favorite songs. [5]

Entertainment Weekly called this version of the song a "destined-for-Disney rendition." [6] James Hunter of Rolling 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 a Streisand-size mistake." [7] In 2009 at Jackson's memorial service, his brother Jermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in Michael's honor. [8] It is performed in the Michael Jackson: One Las Vegas production.

Track listing

CD maxi single (withdrawn) [9]

  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 (withdrawn) [9]

  • 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

Charts

Chart performance for "Smile" by Michael Jackson
Chart (2009)Peak
position
Germany (GfK) [10] 71
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [11] 70
UK Singles (OCC) [12] 74
US Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [13] 56

Other charting versions

Other notable recordings

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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. 1 2 "Michael Jackson Covers Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile' for 'HIStory' Album". Michael Jackson Official Site. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  6. ↑ Browne, David (June 23, 1995). "HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book I Review | Music Reviews and News". Entertainment Weekly.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Montgomery, James (July 7, 2009). "Jermaine Jackson brings 'Smile,' tears to Michael Jackson memorial". MTV . Archived from the original on January 7, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "MICHAEL JACKSON - SMILE (SONG) - CD Info". australian-charts.com.
  10. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Smile" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  11. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Smile". Swiss Singles Chart.
  12. ↑ "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  14. 1 2 Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research Inc. p.  580. ISBN   0-89820-083-0.
  15. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 74.
  16. ↑ Daw, Stephen (September 27, 2024). "Lady Gaga's 'Joker' Companion Album 'Harlequin': All 13 Songs Ranked". Billboard . Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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