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Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)

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

Background

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". John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954. 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.

Cover versions

Nat King Cole version

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

Michael Jackson version

American singer Michael Jackson recorded "Smile" for ' (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 It was scheduled to be released as the final single from the album in 1997, but was withdrawn before its intended commercial release and was only released promotionally in limited quantities. It is performed in the ' Las Vegas production.

Entertainment Weekly called Jackson's version of the song a "destined-for-Disney rendition." 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."

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

Track listing

CD maxi single (withdrawn)

  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12" maxi single (withdrawn)

  • 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

Other charting versions

  • September 1954: Sunny Gale (with Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra) – RCA Victor 5836 (#19)
  • October 1954: David Whitfield – Decca F.10355 (#25)
  • In 1959, Tony Bennett recorded the song which in the US, peaked at #73 on the Hot 100.
  • In 1961, Timi Yuro released a version that reached #42 on the Hot 100.
  • In late 1964, Jerry Butler and Betty Everett recorded and charted with the song as a duet.
  • Robert Downey Jr. recorded 2 versions of the song--one was included in the soundtrack of the movie Chaplin and released as a single in U.K. in 1992; the other was included in his album The Futurist. The U.K. version topped at #68.

Other notable recordings

In popular culture

  • The Jimmy Durante recording is part of the soundtrack to the 2019 film Joker. The titular lead character also watched scenes from Modern Times (the film from which the instrumental track that would become "Smile" originated) during a scene in which he sneaks into a movie theatre.

References

External links