Smile (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Smile" is a pop song, originally used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, the words were written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
The best known version, sung by Nat King Cole, charted in 1954. In Britain, rival cover versions were released by Lita Roza and Petula Clark. Clark later re-recorded it for her 1968 album The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener, by which time she was a personal friend of Charlie Chaplin.
The song was also a hit when released as a duet by Betty Everett and Jerry Butler in 1964. Three years previously, The Lettermen released it as the b-side of their single "When I Fall in Love."
Eric Clapton played a version of "Smile" during his 1974 "comeback" tour. The song appears on the live CD of the Deluxe Edition of 461 Ocean Blvd and is also on the Timepieces Vol. II: Live in the Seventies release.
The song can be heard in two different versions (one of which was a hit in Japan) by Elvis Costello on his album Cruel Smile. It's also covered by Lyle Lovett on his album of movie songs, Smile, and by Julia Migenes on her album of same name, which is also a collection of movie songs.
In the 1994 movie My Girl 2 Maggie Muldovan, playing the part of Vada's mother in an old home movie, sings "Smile" for the camera.
Chaplin's song is also featured on Michael Jackson's 1995 double album, HIStory. This song was also covered in 2005 by singer Michael Bublé,and by Olivier Award-winning actress Maria Friedman on her 2006 album Now and Then. It was also performed by Josh Groban on the Today Show, and performed by Westlife on their album Allow Us to Be Frank, 2005. Brazilian singer Djavan recorded a version in Portuguese ("Sorri") on his album Novelas.
"Smile" was Gina Glocksen's last performance piece for the sixth season of American Idol in 2007.
"Smile" is also included on the special internet-only version of Josh Groban's 2006 CD "Awake".
"Smile" was also used as the closing theme for the 1964-1975 finale of the game show "Jeopardy!".
"Smile" was also covered on the Duets: An American Classic by music's legendary titans Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett in celebration of Tony's 80th birthday.
"Smile" is covered by British X Factor runner-up Ray Quinn on his self-titled debut album from 2007.
