13 More Songs Sure to Make You Smile | Playlist 🎧

1. The Undisputed Truth “Smiling Faces Sometimes”

💿 The Undisputed Truth • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1971

“Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes / They don’t tell the truth,” 🎙 The Undisputed Truth asserts on the chorus of the classic, 🎵 “Smiling Faces Sometimes.” The memorable, timeless chorus of this minor-key gem continues, “Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes / Tell lies and I got proof.”  Woo! Penned by the dynamic Motown duo 🎼✍ Barrett Strong and 🎼✍ 🎛 Norman Whitfield, “Smiling Faces Sometimes” is actually a – wait for it – COVER! Shock and awe, folks!

What’s interesting about the fact that “Smiling Faces Sometimes” wasn’t originally recorded by The Undisputed Truth is WHO originally recorded it 👀.  Keep in mind, Strong and Whitfield are Motown writing legends, so, Motown artists often recorded songs recorded by other Motown artists.  🎙 The Temptations recorded the original 👀! Interestingly, it’s one of the few times the 🎵 “My Girl” collective didn’t have the Midas Touch.  The Undisputed Truth had the biggest hit of their career, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Take one listen and you’ll see the hype and can’t resist smiling at the truth the collective serves up! The lush production intact with fat bass line, the memorable songwriting – #SICKENING! This 1971 song from 💿 The Undisputed Truth is an undisputed bop to this day!

“The truth is in the eyes
Cause the eyes don’t lie, amen
Remember a smile is just
A frown turned upside down
My friend let me tell you.”

2. Ariana Grande, “fake smile”

💿 thank u, next • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2019

“I can’t fake another smile / I can’t fake like I’m alright / Woo, ah (Woo, ah) / And I won’t say I’m feeling fine / After what I been through, I can’t lie / Woo, ah (Woo, ah).” 🎙 Ariana Grande delivered her most impressive work with her fifth studio album, 💿 Thank U, Next,. The song that’s sure to put a smile on your face is the fifth track, 🎵 “Fake Smile.”

“Fake Smile” is quite appealing, thanks to sampling a soul classic by 🎙 Wendy Rene, 🎵 “After Laughter (Comes Tears)”. Grande may not achieve the distorted grit Rene does on the original, but her smooth pipes fit perfectly over such a soulful backdrop. Of course, the soul icons would never be as bold as Grande, particularly when she asserts, “Fuck a fake smile” on the brief, but potent chorus. She refuses to mask her emotions – she’s going to be authentic AF.

Also appears on 🔽:
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3. Silk Sonic, “Put on a Smile”

💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic • 🏷 Aftermath / Atlantic • 📅 2021

“Tryna put on a smile / Tryna fight these tears from cryin’ / But Lord knows I’m dyin’, dyin’.” What do you get when you put 🎙 Bruno Mars and 🎙 Anderson .Paak together? Duo 🎙 Silk Sonic, of course! Also, you get two elite, 🏆 Grammy-winning musicians that bring plenty of musicianship to the table.  Their short but sweet and potent album, 💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic materialized in November 2021.  Among the best moments is the smile-worthy, 🎵 “Put on a Smile.”  

“Put On a Smile” features electrifying vocals, arguably, some of the most elite of An Evening with Silk Sonic – MAD PROPS!  It’s Mars’ soaring pipes that impress the most on the chorus, excerpted above.  Worth noting, Anderson handles the verses, keeping it soulful and on-point as always (“If I could turn back the hands on my Rollie, you know I would / I would’ve spent all my time makin’ sure that my baby good”). Also impressive is the harmonic progression, a fat bass line, and the soulful, throwback aesthetic. Sure, “Put on a Smile” is old-school, but it’s old-school that sounds fresh and refreshing in 2021.

4. WizKid, “Smile”

Ft. H.E.R.

💿 Made in Lagos • 🏷 Starboy Entertainment Ltd. / RCA • 📅 2020

International music has increased in popularity, which is positive.  One of those worldwide musicians that has seen his profile on the rise is 🎙 WizKid.  The Nigerian artist released 💿 Made in Lagos in 2020, dropping the deluxe edition in 2021.  The song that has elevated his profile is the remix of “Essence”, featuring 🎙 Justin Bieber and 🎙 Tems.  Unfortunately, “Essence” doesn’t fit the parameters of this list, but another standout, 🎵 “Smile,” featuring 🎙 H.E.R. meets the criteria. 

“Smile” is a feel-good, groovy bop, produced by 🎛 P2J.  WizKid sings with ease, touting L-O-V-E.  He asserts, on the first verse, “I can be your substance / It’s easy when the love don’t hide.” Show that love, Wiz! He’s imperfect, mind you, but he loves her something fierce, so much so that he’d “Run inside a building up in flames” to be with her. Woo! Also, he loves it when she shows her love – that S-M-I-L-E.  H.E.R. complements WizKid well, sharing her own love-centric vibes on the second verse: “You’re the only one for me / Nobody else but you / ‘Cause you make me feel lucky.” Safe to say, both these artists are straight-up cheesing about the power of love on “Smile.”

5. Katy Perry, “Smile”

💿 Smile • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2020

🎵 “Smile”, marks of the best songs from 💿 Smile, the 2020 studio album by 🎙 Katy Perry.  Sampling old-school hip-hop – 🎙 Naughty by Nature, 🎵 “Jamboree” – the production is clearly a pro. Beyond the sunny, soulful pop sound, Perry is exuberant and upbeat, matching the vibes of the music.

The chorus is the centerpiece, and smartly, that centerpiece appears at the top to hook the listener:

“Yeah, I’m thankful
Scratch that, baby, I’m grateful
Gotta say it’s really been a while
But now I got back that smile.”

On the verses and pre-chorus, Perry reflects on where she’s been, and how she managed to come up – bounce back. “But ever tear has been a lesson,” she sings, continuing, “Rejection can be God’s protection / Long hard road to get that redemption / but no shortcuts to a blessin’.”  Alright, alright, alright!

Also appears on 🔽:
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6. Wolf Alice, “Smile”

💿 Blue Weekend • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

“I am what I am and I’m good at it / And you don’t like me, well that isn’t fucking relevant.” Woo! Alternative collective 🎙 Wolf Alice released their new album, 💿 Blue Weekend, in 2021. One of the bright spots from the LP is the energetic, punk-driven 🎵 “Smile.” 🎙 Ellie Roswell brings the heat on his one, including that timely f-bomb from the end of the first verse.

Roswell is spirited and unapologetic, commencing the first verse with the proclamation, “I ain’t afraid.”  Oh snap! Notably, Ellie essentially tells folks don’t get it twisted! “Ah, don’t call me mad, there’s a difference, I am angry / And your choice to call me cute has offended me.” Damn girl! This three-and-a-quarter-minute song never yields a dull moment.  It’s lit from the start with its rhythmic bass line and ripe, distorted guitars.  The key piece, of course, is Ellie, in all her glory.

7. Juice WRLD, “Smile”

Ft. The Weeknd

💿 Legends Never Die • 🏷 Grade A Productions / Interscope • 📅 2020

🎵 “Smile” is another prime posthumous example where 🎙 Juice WRLD is in top-notch form.  He drops a fantastic chorus at the top, representative of his emo-trap, melodic-driven style.  The first time you hear the chorus, you know it’s a B-O-P.  Beyond that, Juice delivers a familiar but highly effective verse which references his demons and his love for his girlfriend. “I’m sad that I can’t satisfy,” he raps on the first verse, continuing, “Yeah, I pray that I get it right this time / Maybe we’ll be alright.”

Hard to find a more suitable collaborator for Juice WRLD than 🎙 The Weeknd.  As always, The Weeknd brings emotion, sex, and those silky-smooth tenor vocals.  “When our skin is touching, I need drugs to love you,” he sings, continuing, “You want so much more from me, but I can only fuck you.” Yep, that’s The Weeknd.  Both musicians get quite a boost from slick production courtesy of 🎛 Cxdy, 🎛 Nick Mira, and 🎛 Taz Taylor. Ultimately, this late addition to 💿 Legends Never Die is awesome to say the least.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: August 2020

8. blackbear, “smile again”

💿 everything means nothing • 🏷 Beartrap, LLC / Alamo • 📅 2020

“’Cause when I think of us, I always seem to smile / ‘Cause I was happy for a while, I was happy for a while, yeah.”  Well 🎙 blackbear (Mat Musto), as you assert on 🎵 “smile again,” at least you were “happy for a while.” For more context, “smile again” concludes Musto’s brief 2020 album, 💿 everything means nothing.  Yes, that’s the same album where he serves up that 🎵 “hot girl bummer” (“Fuck you, and you, and you / I hate your friends and they hate me too”).

As the excerpted lyrics suggest, blackbear remembers the good times in a previous relationship. “Maybe the past is holdin’ me up,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “I keep the memories with me, replay what was.” He clearly wishes things hadn’t ended, but you can appreciate the fact that “smile again” shows more progression towards a happier place compared to much of the album.

9. Benjamin Ingrosso, “Smile”

🎵 “Smile” • 🏷 Record Company TEN • 📅 2021

“Sometimes, you know me better than I know myself / And when I’m down, I always reach to you for help.” 🎙 Benjamin Ingrosso is one handsome man 😍.  Not a snack, but “the whole damn meal” to quote 🎙 Lizzo.  Anyways, now that the objectification is out of the way, let’s talk about that 🎵 “Smile,” shall we? No, I’m not referencing the Swedish musician’s ‘actual’ sexy smile but rather, his song! What’s notable about this 2021 single is the language – it’s performed exclusively in English.

“Smile” is a thoughtful song that Ingrosso wrote for his sister, Bianca (🎼✍ Britt Burton and 🎼✍ 🎛 Hampus Lindvall also appear as writers).  On the IG post regarding “Smile,” Benjamin adds, “I want the song to be a reminder to everyone about how important it is to appreciate all the beautiful people you have in your life.” This is an optimistic, sunny record, exemplified by the chorus:

“I see me when I’m lookin’ at you
We both know all the things we’ve been through
When you cry, you know I feel it too, but
When you smile, I smile.”

How can you not listen to this exuberant joint with those ripe, youthful vocals and not smile?

10. Rod Wave, “Smile”

💿 Pray 4 Love (Deluxe) • 🏷 Alamo • 📅 2020

One of the things that stands out about 🎙 Rod Wave is his flow and delivery. If you listen to his music, you can see why the younger generation is a fan.  🎵 “Smile” appears on Wave’s 2020 album, 💿 Pray 4 Love.  What’s the context of the cheesin’ here?  The come-up – the breakthrough!

“This for them tribulations and trials
Things looking up, when it was down
It was hard tryna get it off the ground.”

After experiencing the hard-knock life, things are looking up for Rod.  “I was down bad and bummy / They was laughing at me, but it wasn’t funny,” he raps, adding, “Tryna find a way to get some money.”  He goes on to give specifics regarding things he had to do survive and how his dreams of being “a firefighter or teacher” were deferred.  Ultimately, over this 🎛 Trillo Beats / 🎛 DrellOnTheTrack / 🎛 SephGotTheWaves produced track, Wave asserts “Thank God I found my passion in these songs.” Indeed, Rod Wave, indeed!

11. Durand Jones & The Indications, “Smile”

💿 Durand Jones & The Indications • 🏷 Dead Oceans • 📅 2018

“All these people think I’m crazy / I smile and say, ‘I’m fine’.” Do you need to be soul-a-fied? Well, look no further than contemporary soul collective 🎙 Durand Jones & The Indications.  This talented group is sure to put a smile on your face, particularly if you prefer your music retro – throwback! A song that will specifically make you show those pearly whites is 🎵 “Smile,” which appears on The Indications’ 2018 album, 💿 Durand Jones & The Indications.

“Smile” was penned by 🎙 🎼✍ Durand Jones, 🎼✍ 🎛 Aaron Frazer (who produced the record + handles vocal duties on some songs), and 🎼✍ Blake Rhein. Unfortunately for Jones, his smile is a façade. “I lay awake at night, still fallin’ under your spell,” he sings on the pre-chorus, adding, “What was home is again my lonely prison cell.” Essentially, the end of the relationship has him feeling the blues.  “Try to get by just for a while,” he sings on the chorus, adding, “To hide my pride, paint on my smile.” Ultimately, however, he’s going through it.  His pain is our listening pleasure as he sings expressively, and the supporting music is utterly sublime.

12. Yebba, “One More Smile”

💿 Dawn • 🏷 Yebba Smith / RCA • 📅 2021

“I’ve been livin’ out of this suitcase for way too long, oh / Sellin’ my coat and smokin’ my last.”  🏆 Grammy winning West Memphis, Arkansas standout 🎙 Yebba keeps it short but sweet on 🎵 “One More Smile.” “One More Smile” appears as the ninth track on Yebba’s 2021 album, 💿 Dawn.  Notably, she interpolates her own song from the same album, 🎵 “Louie Bag” (“Oh, I used to put it in my Louis bag / Tell me if they want some more”).

On “One More Smile,” the centerpiece is Yebba, period. Her voice is exceptional – this is NOT debatable.  Over a piano backdrop, she sings with ample expression.  A poetic moment from Dawn, “One More Smile” is a two-minute vibe.  The form is free flowing, which eliminates predictability.  Honestly, it’s easy to be hypnotized by this glorious performance.

13. Shanice, “I Love Your Smile”

💿 Inner Child • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1991

“Cause I love your smile / I love your smile.” 🎙 Shanice was a teenager when she released 🎵 “I Love Your Smile.”  “I Love Your Smile” is the crowning achievement of her 1991 album, 💿 Inner Child, becoming a big-time pop hit.  The R&B single would peak at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“I Love Your Smile” is a contemporary R&B classic. 🎙 Chris Brown would agree – he sampled it on his 2019 track, 🎵 “Undecided”.  Furthermore, others have jacked this Shanice smash including 🎙 Silk (🎵 “I’m Sorry”) and 🎙 HRVY (🎵 “Runaway with It”) per WhoSampled. What’s the premise of this infectious song? Shanice is into this boy, period.  She’s not into class (“I can’t hear the teacher / His books don’t call me at all”), work sucks (“My boss is lame you know / And so is the pay”), but “Hey, said I love your smile.” Also, worth noting, Shanice also famously says, “Blow, Branford, blow.” Why? Well, renowned jazz 🎷 saxophonist 🎙 Branford Marsalis plays a saxophone solo on this bop, of course!  This is a fitting closer to 🎧 13 More Songs Sure to Make You Smile. Wouldn’t you agree?