Music Blog

Give Us A Smile

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim has asked his
readers to choose a song that reminds them of themselves.

When I read the theme for today’s SLS, I had a pretty good idea what my song was going to be. It’s been one of my favorite songs for a long time. And while it may sound melancholy, it’s message is one of the most uplifting ever written.

Who am I? Just an average person who has been blessed many times over in my life. I had so much fun as a young adult, going to concerts almost every weekend and meeting many extraordinary performers. I have a terrific husband, wonderful adult children and four grandkids. We live in a beautiful town with great neighbors who happen to be our best friends. The only thing I can complain about is the arthritis that has plagued me for the past 24 years. There have been times when the pain really brought me down and healing from surgeries seemed impossible but here I am, still standing. (No, that’s not my song!)

My featured song today is a real classic but some of you may think Michael Jackson was the one who made it popular; it’s much older than that. The music for today’s song was originally written and orchestrated by none other than silent film star Charlie Chaplin, starting as an instrumental for the soundtrack to his 1936 film Modern Times.Β And instead of being entirely a silent movie, it was the first time Chaplin’s voice was heard on a film. The idea for the movie came about from the Great Depression of 1929; messages of hope were essential to keeping people optimistic despite their circumstances.Β In 1954, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added lyrics to the song based on lines and themes from Chaplin’s Modern Times and gave it the title known around the world as β€œSmile”.Β  Β 

I know how fortunate I am; hell, Bill and I made it through a horrific rollover back in 2001 and he beat bladder cancer 6 years ago. 2024 hasn’t been a stellar year so far with my brother-in-law’s death and this god-awful spine surgery but we keep going and looking to each other for a smile. I’m an emotional person and wear my heart on my sleeve. Tears come easily but so does laughter. I love to have fun and make people laugh. And each laugh begins with a smile.

This is Tony Bennett.

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 fears 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

Writer(s): Music – Charles Chaplin; Lyrics – Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner
Publisher: Tratore
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Here is a clip from Modern Times, Chaplin’s last silent film.

Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memory

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week. Be sure to follow the link and check out his site.

Thanks for stopping by. See you on the flip side. 😎

NARΒ©2024

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

45 thoughts on “Give Us A Smile”

  1. Pingback: 252 – Smiles – Beach Walk Reflections: Thoughts from thinking while walking

    1. Thank you kindly, Michele. I take all your good wishes to heart. β™‘ Today was a better day; I walked outside enjoying the fact that I am able to (with my walker, for the moment) and delighting in the beautiful weather. Yesterday was not a good day; today made up for it. I think it will be like that for a while. 😊

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      1. You’re very welcome, Nancy and I am so glad to read that today was a better day for you. Thank goodness and yes, it does seem healing has its ups and down. You are getting there though and sharing posts, so that’s a gift for us. 😊

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    1. I didn’t want to like your comment, Glyn; it was a sign of empathy, as you said. It’s amazing how some people go through life with nary a physical ailment while others like you, me, Fandango, Willow and many more right here on WP are plagued by one thing after the other. If not for this damn arthritis, I would be the picture of health as there’s not another single thing wrong with me.

      Sorry about your right knee playing up.

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  13. A lovely choice and so β€˜you.’ I know it well from my childhood but I’m not sure which version it was – there have been many! I didn’t know that Michael Jackson had covered it and frankly I couldn’t care less 🀣

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    1. There are many versions; I almost went with Timi Yuro’s cover but in the end stuck with a classic rendition. I’d never inflict MJ’s version on anyone! 🀣 Charlie Chaplin wrote another song which I’m sure you know; it’s really rather lovely and it goes like THIS . Enjoy! 😊

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          1. It must have been someone else! I remember saying to someone that the only time I took an interest in her was when she said that she walked around naked at home!

            Not a bad song, I grant you.

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  14. I love love love a person who smiles. I smile a lot. Not out of place.
    Sometimes it’s my heart that smiles. This is a tremendously beautiful piece.
    Hope the recovery is one step closer to new. Keep smiling my lovely. I’m smiling back. Bless you. Hugs

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  16. What a beautiful background write, you touched me with your heart on your sleeve…. πŸ’ž. I was flooded with thoughts of my grandad with this, as he loved this song, you brought me tears and smile too… thank you …

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I’m sure it was bittersweet for you to think of your grandad this morning. That’s the wonderful power of music, how it can move us in so many unexpected ways. Thanks for giving me a read and sharing your thoughts; it means a lot to me. β™‘

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