Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Friday, January 1, 2021, 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. The lyrics were written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” in 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.

“Smile,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s that lovely scene at the end of Modern Times: