Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)

"Smile"
Song by Nat King Cole
Published 1936 (Instrumental theme), 1954 (Lyrics added to song)
Writer John Turner
Geoffrey Parsons
Composer Charlie Chaplin
Language English

"Smile" is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, while John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.[1] 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. It was used as the theme song on The Jerry Lewis Show from 1967-69.

Original version

The song, originally sung by Nat King Cole, charted in 1954.

Other versions

Michael Jackson version

"Smile"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
Released January 20, 1998
Format CD single, 12" single
Recorded March 11–12, 1995 at the Olympic Studio, London, England (UK)
Genre Soul
Length 4:55 (album version)
4:10 (short version)
Label Epic
Writer(s) Charlie Chaplin (music)
John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons (lyrics)
Producer(s) David Foster
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Is It Scary"
(1997)		 "Smile"
(1998)		 "Speechless"
(2001)
HIStory Continues track listing
"Little Susie"
(14)		 "Smile"
(15)

Singer Michael Jackson recorded the song for his 1995 double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It was planned to be released as the eighth and final single from the album in 1998. Only a few copies from the Netherlands, Germany and South Africa (where the record distribution was started previous to the withdrawal) were saved as the other copies were withdrawn.

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."[2] Entertainment Weekly called this song "destined-for-Disney rendition."[3]

In 2009 at Jackson's memorial, his brother Jermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in Michael's honor.

Track listing

CD maxi single[4]

  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[4]

Promotional single

  1. "Smile" (short version) – 4:10

Promotional CD single

  1. "Smile" (short version) – 4:10
  2. "Is It Scary" (radio edit) – 4:11

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs 56[5]
Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 74[6]
Swiss Singles Chart 70[7]

Robert Downey Jr. version

In the 1992 film Chaplin, a version of the song by actor Robert Downey, Jr. can be heard during the closing credits, and later released in 2004 as an alternative ballad take on his debut album The Futurist.

Josh Groban version

Josh Groban recorded a cover of the song, and released it in 2006 as a digital single and a bonus track on internet exclusive editions of his Awake album.[8][9] He performed the song in some of his concerts as well as the annual Capitol Fourth concert of 2011, broadcast on PBS.[10]

Phyllis Diller and Pink Martini version

"Smile" serves as the closing track and features American actress and comedienne Phyllis Diller (1917–2012). Pink Martini and Diller recorded the song in January 2012 in her living room in Los Angeles, and the group released it upon her death.

Gloria Estefan version

Gloria Estefan covered the song for her 2013 album, The Standards. Each edition of the album included a duet Spanish version with Laura Pausini, "Sonríe," adapted by Estefan herself. Other editions include the original English-lyric version, a solo Spanish version, an Italian duet version with Pausini ("Sorridi"), and/or a solo Italian version.[11]

Jeff Lynne Version

Jeff Lynne recorded a version of the song for his 2012 album, Long Wave. The album was made as a tribute to songs he heard on long wave radio as a youth.

Hollywood Bowl Performances, 2013

During the 2013 Hollywood Bowl summer season, the song was performed by no less than six different singers at different concerts. These included: Josh Groban with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Dr. John in his tribute to Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Kristin Chenoweth with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and George Benson in his tribute to Nat King Cole.[12]

66th Primetime Emmy Awards

Sara Bareilles performed the song during the "In Memoriam" segment of the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on August 25, 2014.[13]

DMX Version

Rapper DMX performed a version of the song in the movie Top Five.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Linda Wada. "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.
  2. ↑ (Posted: Aug 10, 1995) (1995-08-10). "Michael Jackson: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  3. ↑ David Browne on Jun 23, 1995 (1995-06-23). "HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book I Review | Music Reviews and News". EW.com. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "MICHAEL JACKSON - SMILE (SONG) - CD Info".
  5. ↑ U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs
  6. ↑ "Michael Jackson | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  7. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Michael Jackson - Smile". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  8. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20070101185947/http://www.joshgroban.com/node/80
  9. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/smile-single/id477386144
  10. ↑ http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/07/josh-groban-honors-america-at-a-capitol-fourth-performance-video/
  11. ↑ Gloria Estefan (2013). The Standards. Sony Music.
  12. ↑ Alvin Wilson, Property Master, Hollywood Bowl
  13. ↑ "Sara Bareilles + Billy Crystal Lead Moving ‘In Memoriam’ Tribute at Emmys". popcrush.com. August 25, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Watch The Funniest Scene In 'Top Five'". huffingtonpost.com. December 30, 2014.

External links

External video
Chaplin's original sound on YouTube: Modern Times. (0:40:22-, 0:42:44-, 0:52:16-, 1:06:39-, and full version 1:21:25-)