This is one of my all-time favorite songs. Ever. It was written by Charlie Chaplin for the film, Modern Times. If you haven’t seen it, you definitely should. I think it would resonate with a lot of people today.

The lyrics weren’t added until the 1950′s. They were written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons and in 1954, Nat King Cole recorded it. When I was a kid, Natalie Cole’s album Unforgettable… With Love came out and my Dad and I used to sing so loud in the car! We would mostly sing “When I Fall in Love” over and over again, but it was around this time that I heard “Smile” for the very first time. Since then, I’ve adopted it as my own anthem. When I was a freshmen in high school, my friend Courtney would ask me to sing it to her every day in class. I’ve never recorded it until today for this series. Maybe one day I’ll have a better sound situation for these videos As always, lyrics posted below the video!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASv5iEtgRaU&w=420&h=315]

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 fear 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 worth while

If you just smile