The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Friday, February 8, 2013, is Smile.

About Smile

This beautiful song was written as an instrumental by Charles Chaplin and was used in the soundtrack for his 1936 film Modern Times. In 1954, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons wrote the lyrics. The first recording was made in 1954 by Nat King Cole and has been steadily recorded ever since.

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About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded Smile in 1959; it was released as a single in 1959 and was included in his wonderful 1962 I Left My Heart In San Francisco album. Today’s version is from the 1966 The Movie Song Album and was recorded in late 1965 with an arrangement by Al Cohn and orchestra conducted Johnny Mandel. Mr. Bennett sings this song regularly in concert and it is always perfect.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4VVW7zufMomMHQ3gg6VljG
Smile, as well as the full The Movie Song album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Smile

The Song of the Day for September 25, 2012 is Smile.

About Smile

The music for the song Smile was written by the film artist Charles “Charlie” Chaplin for his 1936 film Modern Times. The lyrics were added in 1954 by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.

About This Version

In the last three concerts of Mr. Bennett’s that I have attended, at the end of the concert, he sings Smile, followed by When You’re Smiling, the Louis Armstrong favorite. I love this sweet and poignant end to his concerts.

Mr. Bennett first recorded this song as a single in 1959 and again in 1962 for I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Today’s version comes from the 1966 The Movie Song Album, which also includes The Shadow of Your Smile, another song that Mr. Bennett frequently sings in his performances.

This version of Smile was arranged by Al Cohn and conducted by Johnny Mandel, with Tommy Flanagan on piano.