Can't Smile Without You
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“Can't Smile Without You” | |||||
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Song by The Carpenters | |||||
Album | A Kind of Hush | ||||
Released | June 11, 1976 (album) September 9, 1977 (single) |
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Recorded | A&M Records 1976 | ||||
Genre | Pop | ||||
Length | 3:25 | ||||
Label | A&M Records | ||||
Composer | Chris Arnold; David Martin; Geoff Morrow | ||||
Producer | Richard and Karen Carpenter | ||||
A Kind of Hush track listing | |||||
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A Kind of Hush track listing | |||||
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"Can't Smile Without You" is a song written by Chris Arnold, David Martin, and Geoff Morrow, best known in its rendition by Barry Manilow.
"Can't Smile Without You" was the first single to be released from Manilow's album Even Now in 1978. The song was released as a single in 1978 where it reached the number one spot on the U.S. A&C, and the number three spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Previously, the song was recorded by The Carpenters on their album A Kind of Hush in 1976, and was featured as the B-side of their hit "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" the following year.
On behalf of the songwriters, publishing company Dick James Music sued George Michael for plagiarism in the mid-'80s, claiming that the 1984 Wham! single "Last Christmas" lifted its melody from "Can't Smile Without You." The case was settled out of court.
Jerry Lewis often sings the song on his annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, with altered lyrics that speak of their need for the viewers to call in their pledge.
The song was featured in the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, sung during the first wedding service. It was covered by Big Back Forty singer Sean Beal for the film Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo and was subsequently released on the soundtrack. It was also featured in the 2002 film Unconditional Love, sung by Kathy Bates and "surprise guest" Barry Manilow on the Sally Jessy Raphael talk show. It also opened the Ben Stiller/Owen Wilson film Starsky & Hutch.
In 2008, there was an attempt by Tottenham Hotspur F.C. supporters following their League Cup win to get the song to Number One, as they see this song as being a part of the club, with the words "Cant Smile Without You" being seen on many flags, banners, and websites as a slogan to the club.