The song of the day for Friday, July 17, 2015 is “Smile.”
About This Song
Charlie Chaplin wrote “Smile” in 1936 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.
About This Version
Tony Bennett has recorded “Smile” several times, first in 1959. I chose his second studio recording from 1965 for The Movie Song Album. This version was arranged by Al Cohn and conducted by Johnny Mandel. This song is a favorite of Tony Bennett: he sings at virtually all of his concerts. Your author tears up every time. Mr. Chaplin loved Bennett’s singing of his song that he gave Bennett a copy of the film Modern Times.
If you’ve never seen the film (and I encourage you to see it), here’s that final scene with Chaplin and Goddard. Pure genius.
“Smile,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available from iTunes.
In my opinion, the greatest song ever written and performed to perfection by the maestro, Tony Bennett.
I have to be honest, I am in floods of tears every time I hear this song, and it shall be my song at my funeral, whenever that may be.
Many singers have covered this song, but Tony’s is the definitive version in my opinion.