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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

June 29, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Sunday, June 29, 2025, is “Smile.”

About Today

We remember Ralph Burns, who wrote the arrangement for today’s song. He was born in Massachusetts on June 29, 1922. Burns arranged and conducted two albums for Tony Bennett: Hometown, My Town in 1959 and My Heart Sings in 1961. He also wrote the big band arrangements for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool in 1999, two years before his death. In addition to arranging, he was a jazz pianist and a notable film composer.

About This Song

“Smile” was written by Charlie Chaplin 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 sets and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed. The lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were added in 1954.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” on June 24, 1959, and was released as a single that year. The recording was also included on his 1962 album I Left My heart In San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Smile,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that legendary scene from Modern Times.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charlie Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, John Turner, Modern Times, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

February 13, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, is “Smile.”

About This Song

“Smile” was written in 1936 by Charlie Chaplin for his last silent film, Modern Times. John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons wrote the lyrics, which were added later. The final scene of the film 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 recorded “Smile” on June 24, 1959, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released as a single in 1959; the recording was added to the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco, released in 1962.

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

Here’s the ending of Modern Times with Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charlie Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, John Turner, Modern Times, Paulette Goddard, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

February 14, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 15, 2023, is “Smile.”

About This Song

“Smile” was written in 1938 by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, and Geoffrey Parsons. 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand recorded “Smile” on February 3, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Duets: An American Classic won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Tony Bennett won the 2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Tony Bennett: An American Classic.

“Smile,” as well as Duets: An American Classic is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that scene from Modern Times with Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Barbra Streisand, Charlie Chaplin, Duets: An American Classic, Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner, Modern Times, Paulette Goddard, Tony Bennett

August 18, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Friday, August 19, 2022, 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 recorded “Smile” 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.

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

Here’s that final scene from Modern Times.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charlie Chaplin, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Modern Times, Paulette Goddard, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

March 19, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Friday, March 20, 2020, 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 by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were added later.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” as a single in 1959, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns. The single was included on Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

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

And here’s that beautiful scene from Modern Times, with Charles Chaplin and Paulette Goddard.

Smile, Charlie Chaplin , Modern Times, 1936

Smile!

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charlie Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, John Turner, Modern Times, Paulette Goddard, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

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