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Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)

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"Smile"
Song by Charlie Chaplin
Written
  • 1936 (instrumental theme)
  • 1954 (lyrics)
Published1954 by Bourne
Length2:52
ComposerCharlie Chaplin
Lyricists
Audio video
"Smile" on YouTube

"Smile" is a song based on the theme song used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film Modern Times.

Background

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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".[1] John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.[2] 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.[3]

Cover versions

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Nat King Cole version

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Nat King Cole circa 1947

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

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Chart (1954) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop) 2
UK Singles (OCC) 2
US Billboard Hot 100 10

Michael Jackson version

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"Smile"
Promotional single by Michael Jackson
from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
B-side
ReleasedDecember 28, 1997 (1997-12-28)
RecordedMarch 11–12, 1995
StudioThe Hit Factory (New York)[4]
GenreSoul
Length
  • 4:55 (album version)
  • 4:10 (short version)
LabelEpic
ComposerCharlie Chaplin
Lyricists
Producers
Licensed audio
"Smile" on YouTube

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 It was scheduled to be released as the final single from the album in 1997, but was withdrawn before its intended commercial release and was only released promotionally in limited quantities.[5] It is performed in the Michael Jackson: One Las Vegas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."[6] 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."[7]

Jackson considered the original "Smile" to be one of his favorite songs.[5] In 2009 at Jackson's memorial service, his brother Jermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in Michael's honor.[8]

Track listing

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CD maxi single (withdrawn)[9]

  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)[9]

  • 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

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Chart performance for "Smile" by Michael Jackson
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Germany (GfK)[10]71
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[11]70
UK Singles (Official Charts)[12]74
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[13]56

Other charting versions

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Other notable recordings

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References

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  1. ↑ Schiff, David (February 21, 2012). The Ellington Century. University of California Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0520245877.
  2. ↑ Linda Wada (March 2004). "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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  3. ↑ "secondhandsongs.com". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  4. ↑ Swedien, Bruce (2003). Make Mine Music. Norway: MIA Musikk. p. 184. ISBN 82-996756-1-8.
  5. 1 2 "Michael Jackson Covers Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile' for 'HIStory' Album". Michael Jackson Official Site. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  6. ↑ Browne, David (June 23, 1995). "HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book I Review | Music Reviews and News". Entertainment Weekly.
  7. ↑ Hunter, James (August 10, 1995). "Michael Jackson: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008.
  8. ↑ Montgomery, James (July 7, 2009). "Jermaine Jackson brings 'Smile,' tears to Michael Jackson memorial". MTV. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "MICHAEL JACKSON - SMILE (SONG) - CD Info". australian-charts.com.
  10. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.
  11. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Smile". Swiss Singles Chart.
  12. ↑ "Michael Jackson Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  14. 1 2 Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research Inc. p. 580. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  15. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 74.
  16. ↑ "Chaplin". Soundtrack Net. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  17. ↑ "Chaplin - 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition". Soundtrack Net. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  18. ↑ "Robert Downey Jr. – Smile". Discogs. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  19. ↑ "Review: Robert Downey Jr., The Futurist". Slant Magazine. 23 November 2004. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  20. ↑ "Robert Downey Jr. – The Futurist. Beauty in the darkness of life". Adventures in HiFi Audio. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  21. ↑ "A solo Stefani is fun, No Doubt about it". USA Today. 22 November 2004. Archived from the original on 13 December 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  22. ↑ "SMILE by ROBERT DOWNEY JR". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "...Allow Us to Be Frank". Apple Music. Archived from the original on October 6, 2026. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Robbie Holds Off Eminem On Euro Album Chart". Billboard. November 18, 2004. Archived from the original on October 6, 2026. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
  25. ↑ Daw, Stephen (September 27, 2024). "Lady Gaga's 'Joker' Companion Album 'Harlequin': All 13 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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