Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

jazzguitar.be/blog/smile-charlie-chaplin

January 18, 2024

Charlie Chaplin, famous for making people laugh, was also good at making music. He
composed “Smile” for his last silent movie “Modern Times” in 1936 with the help of composer
David Raksin.

The first phrase of the melody is identical

to a phrase (Cavaradossi singing “Quale
occhio al mondo può star di paro”) in the
first act love duet from Tosca, Puccini’s
opera.

In 1954, lyrics were added to the melody

by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
Nat King Cole recorded the first version
with these lyrics and reached #10 on the
Billboard charts.

This chord melody arrangement of Smile

uses drop 2 and drop 3 chords,
combined with 6ths (more about guitar intervals).

Recommended listening:

Nat King Cole – Ballads of The Day (1954)

Tony Bennett – Single (1959)
Chet Atkins (parts of the melody played with harmonics) – Alone (1973)
Bireli Largrene – Standards (1992)

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Video & Sheet Music/Guitar Tabs
Smile (Charlie Chaplin) - Easy Jazz Guitar Chord Melody Arrangement

Listen & Play-Along

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Smile Guitar Pro 8 File

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