Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)

Smile
Company type	Musical composition / Song
Industry	Music
Founded	1936
Founder	Charlie Chaplin, David Raksin (melody); John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons (lyrics)
Products	Song, musical recordings

Smile is a musical piece derived from the theme of Charlie Chaplin's 1936 motion picture Modern Times.

Background

The melody was originally created by Chaplin with the collaboration of composer David Raksin, drawing inspiration from a segment in Puccini's opera Tosca. In 1954, lyricists John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons contributed the words and title. The song's lyrics promote a hopeful outlook, mirroring the film's underlying message.

Over time, "Smile" has evolved into a widely recognized standard, interpreted by a multitude of performers.

Nat King Cole version

The initial vocal rendition was recorded by Nat King Cole, achieving the position of number 10 on the Billboard charts and climbing to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1954. This version was also included in the soundtrack of the 1975 movie Smile.

Sammy Davis Jr. later paid tribute with his cover on the 1965 album The Nat King Cole Songbook.

Charts

Chart (1954)	Highest ranking
Belgium (Ultratop)	2
UK Singles (OCC)	2
US Billboard Hot 100	10

Michael Jackson version

American artist Michael Jackson recorded "Smile" for his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. Although it was intended to be released as the album's final single in 1997, it was pulled prior to commercial distribution and only circulated as a promotional item. This track is also featured in the Michael Jackson: One production in Las Vegas.

The rendition by Jackson was described by Entertainment Weekly as one suited for a Disney production. Conversely, Rolling Stone critiqued it for lacking a unique artistic interpretation.

Jackson considered "Smile" among his favored songs. At his memorial service in 2009, his brother Jermaine Jackson performed this piece as a tribute.

Track listing

CD maxi single (withdrawn)

"Smile" (short version) – 4:10
"Is It Scary" (radio edit) – 4:11
"Is It Scary" (Eddie's Love Mix Edit) – 3:50
"Is It Scary" (Downtempo Groove Mix) – 4:50
"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12" maxi single (withdrawn)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

Template:Single chart Template:Single chart Template:Single chart Template:Single chart

Chart performance for Michael Jackson's "Smile"
Chart (2009)	Peak position

Alternative charting renditions

In September 1954, Sunny Gale accompanied by the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra attained the #19 position on RCA Victor.
October 1954 saw David Whitfield reaching #25 on Decca's charts.
Tony Bennett's interpretation in 1959 climbed to #73 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The 1961 performance by Timi Yuro peaked at #42 on the Hot 100 list.
A duet version by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett charted towards the end of 1964.
Robert Downey Jr. produced two distinct versions; one included on the Chaplin soundtrack and released as a UK single in 1992, which reached #68, while another appeared on his album The Futurist.

Significant additional recordings

In 1963, Judy Garland delivered her rendition of Nat King Cole's classic on The Ed Sullivan Show.
The song was featured on Jimmy Durante's 1965 album Jackie Barnett Presents Hello Young Lovers.
Shortly before her passing in 2012, Phyllis Diller collaborated with Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini to record the track, which was included as the final song on Pink Martini's 2013 release Get Happy.
Barbra Streisand recorded this piece for both The Movie Album and the 2003 soundtrack of Mona Lisa Smile.
The Irish group Westlife interpreted the song on their 2004 album ...Allow Us to Be Frank, issuing it as the leading single on November 4, 2004.
In 2006, a duet rendition by Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand was included on his compilation Duets: An American Classic.
For her 2024 release Harlequin, linked to the film Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), Lady Gaga recorded her version of the song.

Appearances in popular media

The 2019 film Joker features Jimmy Durante's recording, with scenes of the protagonist also watching clips from Modern Times, which inspired the instrumental melody behind "Smile".
The song was used in an episode titled "The Smile" from the TV series The Middle.
A rendition was incorporated into a 1989 public service announcement produced by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.
Frank Chacksfield and his orchestra’s version played during the closing credits of the final episode of the original Jeopardy! broadcast on January 3, 1975.
The tune served as the opening theme for Jerry Lewis's live Labor Day MDA telethon.

External links

"Smile" lyrics available at CharlieChaplin.com (accessed April 21, 2018)