Smile, though you're heart is breaking

[Wishbone]

Anyone tell me who this song is by and what it's actually called - I think Charlie Chaplin wrote it but I might be wrong - anyone know where I can find it?

[kempie]

Charlie Chaplin wrote the melody as the theme to his 1936 film 'Modern Times'. In 1954 lyrics were added, the song was given the title 'Smile' and Nat King Cole hit the charts.

http://ednapurviance.org/chaplininfo/smile.htm l

[T-Lady]

Nat King Cole had big hit with it some time ago.
It is a beautiful song and Nat did a great job with it.
It was written as a musical score for Chaplin's film, Modern Times, in 1936, by Charlie himself. It was given words later and became Charlie's theme song.
Many have recorded it but I still think Nat's version is best.

[T-Lady]

I wish I could type faster!

[littleoldme]

John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were the (eventual) lyric writers - as well as Nat King Cole, the song has been recorded by artists as diverse as Elvis Costello, Michael Jackson (shudder), and Petula Clark (the B-side to her 1967 number 1 hit, This Is My Song).

[jenstar]

Although it wouldn't surprise me if Petula Clark did indeed record it, it wasn't on the B-side of This Is My Song. The B-side was a song called "The Show Is Ours". Maybe someone's mistakenly bracketed TISM and Smile together because they're both Chaplin compositions.

[Scots-babe]

and Westlife did a cover version of it too. I seem to think Robbie Williams might have - seeing as he went through that phase of Sinatra songs.

[littleoldme]

You're absolutely right, jenstar. Well, nearly absolutely right - the B-side was actually called The Show Is Over. Must be the Chaplin connection to blame. Just shows you can't believe everything you read on t'internet. ;-)

[71silverfox]

Are we all forgetting that 'steve Brookstein' did a version of it on X Factor a few years ago..? Jeez, wonder where he is now..... stacking shelves at Tesco with Gareth gates no doubt.