"Smile" is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times which also featured ...
"Smile" is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times which also featured his 3rd wife Paulette Goddard (pictured in the video) who was an American actress in her own right. While Chaplin composed the music, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954. In the lyrics, 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.nnSir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE (16 April 1889 -- 25 December 1977) was a British comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. Chaplin became a worldwide icon through his screen persona "the Tramp" and is considered one of the most important figures of the film industry. His career spanned more than 75 years, from childhood in the Victorian era until a year before his death at age 88, and encompassed both adulation and controversy.nnNathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 -- February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer and musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. He was widely noted for his soft, baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres. Cole was one of the first African Americans to host a television variety show, The Nat King Cole Show, and has maintained worldwide popularity since his death from lung cancer in February 1965.nnThe song, originally sung by Nat King Cole, charted in 1954. Singer Sunny Gale also covered the song, sharing sales with Cole, as shown in the music trade Cashbox. It was also covered by Cole's daughter, Natalie, on her 1991 album, Unforgettable... with Love.nnIn Britain, rival versions were released by Lita Roza and Petula Clark in 1954. 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. Jazz guitarist Royce Campbell recorded it on his album, "Get Happy (2007). Jeff Lynne recorded it for his album "Long Wave (2012), along other old standards.nnSinger 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 but was canceled days before its release date. 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. The rarest pressings include the CD maxi single (estimated value over €500) and the single track promo (the promo single CD was going for AU$1,725 in February 2011).nnMichael Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson, sang "Smile" at his memorial service on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, shortly after Michael Jackson's friend Brooke Shields mentioned it had been Jackson's favorite song. He also sang it in an interview with Today at Neverland before the memorial and only days after Michael had passed. During the internationally televised public memorial, Jermaine switched the words "gladness" and "sadness" in the lyrics, possibly in an unintentional flub of the lyrics. The song has since charted at #74 in the UK, #71 in Germany, #70 in Switzerland and at #56 in Australia.nnNat's accompanied by Joe Howard (trombone); George Roberts (bass trombone), Vince DeRosa, Bill Hinshaw (French horn); John Hacker, Harry Klee, Dominick Mumolo (reeds); Len Atkins, Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone, Walt Edelstein, Nat Ross, Mischa Russell, Eudice Shapiro, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin, Marshall Sosson, Jerry Vinci (violin); Stan Harris, Paul Robyn, Barbara Simons, David Sterkin (viola); Cy Bernard, Armand Kaproff, Ray Kramer, Eleanor Slatkin (cello); Bill Miller (piano); John Collins (guitar); Charlie Harris (bass); Lee Young (drums); Lou Singer (percussion); Nat King Cole, Loulie Jean Norman (vocals); and Nelson Riddle (arranger, conductor). Recorded in Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, CA, July 27, 1954nnEntertainment Weekly called this song "destined-for-Disney rendition."nnSmile though your heart is achingnSmile even though it's breakingnWhen there are clouds in the sky, you'll get bynIf you smile through your fear and sorrownSmile and maybe tomorrownYou'll see the sun come shining through for younnLight up your face with gladnessnHide every trace of sadnessnAlthough a tear may be ever so nearnThat's the time you must keep on tryingnSmile, what's the use of crying?nYou'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smilennThat's the time you must keep on tryingnSmile, what's the use of crying?nYou'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you'll just smilennThat's the time you must keep on tryingnSmile, what's the use of crying?nYou'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you'll just smile Less
