The song "Smile" was inspired by the theme song from the movie "Modern Times," which was released in 1936. The theme song was part of the music from the film's soundtrack.
Background
Chaplin, who worked with composer David Raksin to create the song, was inspired by a part of the first act love duet from Puccini's opera Tosca, which begins with Cavaradossi singing "Quale occhio al mondo può star di paro." In 1954, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons wrote the lyrics and chose the song's title. The lyrics, based on lines and themes from the film, encourage the listener to be happy and believe that a bright future exists if they smile.
The song "Smile" has become a well-known standard since its first use in Chaplin's film and has been performed by many artists.
Cover versions
Nat King Cole recorded the first version of the song with lyrics. It reached number 10 on the Billboard charts and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1954. This version was also used at the beginning of the 1975 movie Smile.
Sammy Davis Jr. recorded a cover version of the song as part of his tribute album The Nat King Cole Songbook in 1965.
Michael Jackson recorded "Smile" for his album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I in 1995. The song was planned to be released as the final single from the album in 1997 but was not released commercially. It was only shared in limited quantities for promotion and later performed in the Michael Jackson: One Las Vegas production.
Entertainment Weekly described Jackson's version as "destined-for-Disney." James Hunter of Rolling Stone wrote that the song lacked a clear perspective and combined elements that some critics found unoriginal.
Michael Jackson considered the original version of "Smile" one of his favorite songs. In 2009, during his memorial service, his brother Jermaine Jackson sang a version of the song in his honor.
CD maxi single (withdrawn):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12" maxi single (withdrawn):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
Other artists who recorded the song include:
– In September 1954, Sunny Gale (with Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra) – RCA Victor 5836 (#19)
– In October 1954, David Whitfield – Decca F.10355 (#25)
– In 1959, Tony Bennett recorded the song, which reached #73 on the US 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 the song as a duet.
– In 1992, Robert Downey Jr. released a version on the movie Chaplin soundtrack and as a UK single (#68). Another version was included on his album The Futurist.
– Barbra Streisand recorded the song for The Movie Album and the soundtrack of Mona Lisa Smile in 2003.
– Westlife included the song on their 2004 album …Allow Us to Be Frank, releasing it as the first single on November 4, 2004.
– In 2006, Tony Bennett performed the song on his album Duets: An American Classic with Barbra Streisand.
– In 2024, Lady Gaga recorded the song for Harlequin, the companion album to the film Joker: Folie à Deux.
In popular culture
The Jimmy Durante recording is part of the soundtrack for the 2019 movie Joker. In one scene, the main character enters a movie theater secretly and watches parts of the film Modern Times. This film is where the music that later became the song "Smile" was first created.