Smile
Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard in the final scene of Modern Times
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Charlie Chaplin |
| Lyricists | John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons |
| Year Written | 1936 |
| About Smile | |
| Charlie Chaplin wrote “Smile” for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard, walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun rises and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed. This song is a favorite of Tony Bennett’s and he sings “Smile” followed by “When You’re Smiling” at the end of his concerts. | |
Lyrics
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
Session / Album Information
1959
“Smile” was recorded on June 24, 1959. It was released as a single in 1959 (Columbia 45: 4-41434) and again in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.
This recording released on:
- 1959: Columbia 45: 4-41434
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8669 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1869 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco
- 1962: CBS LP 12″: SBPG 62201 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco [UK]
- 2011: Disc #23 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK23) I Left My Heart in San Francisco
1962
“Smile” was recorded live at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, but was not released until 1997 on the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall: Complete Concert. Ralph Sharon arranged the song.
This recording released on:
- 1997: Columbia CD: C2K 64609 — At Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962: Complete Concert
- 2011: Disc #25 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK24) Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall
1965
“Smile” was recorded on December 27, 1965 and released in 1966 on The Movie Song Album. It was arranged by Al Cohn.
This recording released on:
- 1966: CBS LP 12″: BPG 62677 — The Movie Song Album (UK)
- 1966: Columbia LP 12″: CL 2472 — The Movie Song Album
- 1966: Columbia LP 12″: CS 9272 — The Movie Song Album
- 1972: CBS LP 12″: CBS 68200 — All-Time Greatest Hits [UK]
- 1972: Columbia LP 12″: KG 31494 — All-Time Greatest Hits
- 1973: Harmony LP 12″: KH 32171 — Tony!
- 1986: Columbia CD: — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 1986: CBS/Sony CD: 32DP-558 — 16 Most Requested Songs [Japan]
- 1988: Columbia CD: CK 09272 — The Movie Song Album
- 1990: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK-40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 1990: Columbia/Legacy CD: 40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 1990: Columbia CD: 40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 1991: Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 1992: Sony Mid-Price CD: 4724182 — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 1993: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6641 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 1997: Columbia CD: CK 65316 — All-Time Greatest Hits
- 1999: Sony International CD: 91207 — The Essential Tony Bennett: A Retrospective
- 2000: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2000: Sony Music CD: 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2001: Sony Music CD: SRCS-9093 — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 2002: Columbia/Legacy CD: 86634 — The Essential Tony Bennett
- 2004: Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
- 2005: Sony Music CD: 4721952 — 16 Most Requested Songs
- 2006: RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 82876 87233 2 — The Movie Song Album
- 2008: Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0]
- 2011: Disc #32 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK31) The Movie Song Album
2006
“Smile” was recorded was recorded on February 3, 2006 with Barbra Streisand and was released that same year on Duets: An American Classic. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.
This recording released on:
- 2006: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 82876809792 — Duets: An American Classic
- 2006: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 82876887352 — Duets: An American Classic [Target Stores]
- 2006: Sony BMG CD: 828768858721 — Duets: An American Classic [Australia]
- 2006: Sony BMG CD: 82876885862 — Duets: An American Classic [UK, Singapore]
- 2011: Disc #70 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK68) Duets: An American Classic
- 2013: Columbia/Legacy – Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett