Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)

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". John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954. 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.

Cover versions

Nat King Cole version

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

Michael Jackson version

| B-side =

• "Is It Scary"
• "Off the Wall" (Junior Vasquez remix)
• 4:55 (album version)
• 4:10 (short version)
• John Turner
• Geoffrey Parsons
• David Foster
• Michael Jackson

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 It was scheduled to be released as the final single from the album in 1997, but was withdrawn before its intended commercial release and was only released promotionally in limited quantities. It is performed in the Michael Jackson: One Las Vegas production.

Entertainment Weekly called Jackson's version of the song a "destined-for-Disney rendition." 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."

Jackson considered the original "Smile" to be one of his favorite songs. In 2009 at Jackson's memorial service, his brother Jermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in Michael's honor.

Track listing

CD maxi single (withdrawn)

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12" maxi single (withdrawn)

• 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

Other charting versions

• September 1954: Sunny Gale (with Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra) – RCA Victor 5836 (#19)
• October 1954: David Whitfield – Decca F.10355 (#25)
• In 1959, Tony Bennett recorded the song which in the US, peaked at #73 on the Hot 100.
• In 1961, Timi Yuro released a version that reached #42 on the Hot 100.
• In late 1964, Jerry Butler and Betty Everett recorded and charted with the song as a duet.
• Robert Downey Jr. recorded 2 versions of the song--one was included in the soundtrack of the movie Chaplin and released as a single in U.K. in 1992; the other was included in his album The Futurist. The U.K. version topped at #68.

Other notable recordings

• Barbra Streisand recorded her own version for The Movie Album as well as for the soundtrack of Mona Lisa Smile in 2003.
• Westlife covered the song on their 2004 album ...Allow Us to Be Frank. The song was released as the first single from the record on 4 November 2004.
• In 2006, Tony Bennett did his own version of the song in his album Duets: An American Classic with Barbra Streisand.
• Lady Gaga recorded a version of the song for Harlequin (2024), her companion album to the American musical thriller film Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).

In popular culture

• The Jimmy Durante recording is part of the soundtrack to the 2019 film Joker. The titular lead character also watched scenes from Modern Times (the film from which the instrumental track that would become "Smile" originated) during a scene in which he sneaks into a movie theatre.

References

References

1. "secondhandsongs.com".
2. (2003). "Make Mine Music". MIA Musikk.
3. "Michael Jackson Covers Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile' for 'HIStory' Album".
4. Joel Whitburn. (1986). "''Pop Memories 1890-1954''". Record Research Inc..
5. Whitburn, Joel. (2013). "Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012". Record Research.
6. "Chaplin".
7. "Chaplin - 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition".
8. "Robert Downey Jr. – Smile".
9. (23 November 2004). "Review: Robert Downey Jr., The Futurist".
10. (22 March 2010). "Robert Downey Jr. – The Futurist. Beauty in the darkness of life".
11. (22 November 2004). "A solo Stefani is fun, No Doubt about it".
12. "SMILE by ROBERT DOWNEY JR".
13. Daw, Stephen. (September 27, 2024). "Lady Gaga's 'Joker' Companion Album 'Harlequin': All 13 Songs Ranked".
14. Schiff, David. (February 21, 2012). "The Ellington Century". University of California Press.
15. Linda Wada. (March 2004). "Smile". Edna Purviance, Charlie Chaplin's Leading Lady - Welcome to Paradise.
16. Hunter, James. (August 10, 1995). "Michael Jackson: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". [[Rolling Stone]].
17. Browne, David. (June 23, 1995). "HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book I Review | Music Reviews and News". [[Entertainment Weekly]].
18. Montgomery, James. (July 7, 2009). "Jermaine Jackson brings 'Smile,' tears to Michael Jackson memorial".