13 Songs Sure to Make You Smile | Playlist

13 Songs Sure to Make You Smile includes music courtesy of Anderson .Paak, Beach House, Jay-Z, Lil Peep, and Tori Kelly among others.

“When you’re smilin’, when you’re smilin’ / The whole world smiles with you.”  Yes indeed – the beloved American standard rings true! A smile can be absolutely infectious and totally irresistible.  More people across the world should embrace the power of smiling – that alone would be a start at making it a better place.  On this playlist, we’ve assembled 13 Songs Sure to Make You Smile… for the most part… Musicians contributing to the smiling experience include Anderson .Paak (“Smile / Petty”), Beach House (“Lose Your Smile”), Jay-Z (“Smile”), Lil Peep (“Broken Smile (My All)”), and Tori Kelly (“Unbreakable Smile”) among others. Without further ado, get your S-M-I-L-E on!

1. Anderson .Paak, “Smile / Petty”

Oxnard » Aftermath / 12Tone Music » 2018

“What is it about my smile that makes you lie to my face? / If I close my eyes to your bullshit, I could still smell it on you.” Anderson .Paak is a prime example of a musician experiencing a mighty come-up. One of music’s ‘best kept secrets,’ the rapper, singer, and producer’s career began to take off with his appearances on Dr. Dre’s 2015 album, Compton, as well as sophomore album, Malibu.  After become one of hip-hop’s coolest, quirkiest, and most innovative artists, Paak returned with his highly-anticipated third album, Oxnard.

Among the crème de la crème of Oxnard is the soulful, two-part gem, “Smile / Petty,” featuring Sonyae Elise.  Paak sounds incredibly awesome here, given his incredibly distinct pipes – rapping and singing – which radiate with personality. Both parts of the song thrive off of their neo-soul sensibilities, while “Petty” embraces more West Coast, G-Funk sensibilities.

2. Lil Peep, “Broken Smile (My All)”

Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 » Columbia » 2018

“One more chance to give and that’s all I have / All I have left in my heart / I’ve been through enough to know / When you’re sad and we’re far apart.” “Broken Smile (My All)” initiates Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 fittingly, with a broken, sad tone from Lil Peep on the intro (“Y’all been plotting on me, praying I fall / I been working I been giving my all”).  The tempo and the energy pick up on the chorus that follows, but Peep is clearly locked into a full-on emo mindset, as he sings about heartbreak and ultimately blames himself for making mistakes.

“She was the one with the broken smile
Now that it’s done, she was the one
She was the one that was worth my time
Now that she gone, I know that I’m wrong.”

Interestingly, “Broken Smile (My All)” features only one short verse, featured at the top of the blurb. The chorus serves as the key portion of the record.

3. Michael Bublé, “When You’re Smiling”

Love » Reprise » 2018

Being a traditional pop artist doesn’t naturally lend itself to being incredibly innovative or revolutionary. No, the key emphasis is on ‘traditional’ – reprising, reminding, and re-familiarizing people of the timeless standards of old.  Michael Bublé has been a champion of this throughout his career. Once again, Bublé maintains consistency on his 2018 album, Love. Among numerous awesome moments from the LP is a lively, swinging take on the classic, “When You’re Smiling.” Within the context of love, “Smiling” serves as the penultimate record on the standard edition of Love. As the beginning of this blurb suggests, there’s nothing radical or game changing about most traditional pop records (keeping it 100), but it’s another strong performance from the ultra-talented Grammy-winner.

4. Beach House, “Lose Your Smile”

7 » Sub Pop » 2018

“Sweet lies on your face / Tears are out of place / Sunshine in the rain / Comes in rainbows and leaves again.” Sigh, when I think of dream-pop duo Beach House, I think ‘vibes’.  On “Lose Your Smile,” the eighth track from the duo’s 2018 album, 7, the vibes are at an all-time high.  Victoria Legrand doesn’t seem the least bit bothered as he sings, maintaining an even-keel over production that takes a similar approach.  “Lose Your Smile” remains relatively static throughout, never percolating too much.  Regardless, the chilled-out sentiment is hypnotic enough to put quite the smile on your face.

“When all the while, child
It’s your own self giving in
Who’s to blame this time?
Lose your smile
Lose your smile.”

5. Charlie Wilson, “Smile for Me”

Ft. Robin Thicke

In It to Win It » RCA » 2017

“Maybe the rent ain’t paid /Or the car note’s late / And you’re working hard / Like every single day, yeah / But you can make it through…” “Smile for Me” gives ‘Uncle’ Charlie Wilson one of his most soulful, exceptional moments from In It to Win It. Paired with neo-soul standout Robin Thicke, “Smile for Me” is simple in concept, but reaps massive benefits of being so simplistic.  Essentially, Wilson and Thicke tout the power of a smile and showing resolve through the hardest of times.  The vocal chemistry between the two is magnificent – two truly gifted musicians.

“I'm here to say
When everything ain't okay
I promise it's gonna change
So won't you smile for me
I know it's hard (I know it's hard)
‘Cause I've been right where you are
You can light up the dark
If you just smile for me.”

6. Jay-Z, “Smile”

Ft. Gloria Carter

4:44 » Roc Nation » 2017 

Hip-hop has been accused of being homophobic on more than a number of occasions.  Sure, the music itself possess more of a liberal tilt, but its progressiveness too often falls short regarding the LGBTQ community. On his 2017 song “Smile,” taken from his Grammy-nominated LP 4:44, Jay-Z reveals that his mom is a lesbian.

“Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian
Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian
Had to hid in the closet, so she medicate
Society shame and the pain was too much too take.”

Gloria Carter provides the outro to the song, reflecting upon life and love. Honestly, for hip-hop, and Jay-Z himself, it’s authentic, honest, and progressive.  Fittingly, “Smile” samples the Stevie Wonder classic, “Love’s in Need of Love Today.” In addition to referencing love and sexuality, “Smile” encompasses other topics, such as money.

7. Dvsn, “Body Smile”

Morning After » OVO Sound / Warner Bros. » 2017

Daniel Daley has ‘makeup sex’ on his mind on “Body Smile,” which appears on dvsn’s sophomore album, Morning After.  “Body Smile” represents a classic case of ‘she was better than I was, and now I’ve come to that realization.’ For every mishap, and his utter lack of maturity – he wasn’t ready y’all – he’s going to “make her whole body smile.” No further explanation needed.

“Now that you know
You were better than I was ready for, oh
It’s not like before, yeah
Tonight, I’m making up for it all
For every time I let you cry
I will make your whole body smile.”

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8. Father John Misty, “When You’re Smiling and Astride”

I Love You, Honeybear » Sub Pop » 2015

“When You’re Smiling and Astride” is among the most soulful cuts of I Love You, Honeybear, the 2015 album by singer/songwriter Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman).  The soulfulness of “When You’re Smiling and Astride Me” is enough to make any soul veteran proud. The background vocals, the strings, and the organ mixed in the background are simply beautiful and magnificent.  Within the context of I Love You, Honeybear, “Smiling” is a complete 360º from “The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apt” that precedes it.

Here, ‘the father’ has found ‘the real thing’:

“When you’re smiling and astride me I can hardly believe I found you
And I’m terrified by that.”

Maybe the oddest reference is when Tillman claims, “I’ve got nothing to hide from you / Kissing my brother in my dreams or finding God knows what in my jeans.” But, that is indisputable honesty (if TMI), and this record is easily among the crème de la crème of I Love You, Honeybear. 

9. Tori Kelly, “Unbreakable Smile”

Unbreakable Smile » Capitol » 2015

“La da da da dee / You’re not breaking me…/ La dee da da da / Got an unbreakable smile.” Pop, R&B, and Christian singer/songwriter Tori Kelly (“You’ll find me at church / But that don’t mean I can’t cause trouble”) has some ultra-sick pipes. Her 2015 debut album, Unbreakable Smile, doesn’t exemplify perfection, but at the least, vocally, Kelly successfully shows off her stunning instrument. Title track “Unbreakable Smile,” the set’s first full-length song, ends up being a solid, urban-pop record.  Sunny and feel-good, he enthusiastic, ‘uncompromising’ record has crossover appeal written all over it.

“But I’d rather make ‘em yawn
Than be a pawn on your chess board
So call me boring, call me cookie cutter
Call me what you want and matter fact
Just say it loud and don’t st-stutter
‘Cause I know who I am
Yeah, I’m still the same
Just a California girl with big dreams.”

10. James Bay, “Best Fake Smile”

Chaos and the Calm • Republic • 2014

“No, you don’t have to wear your best fake smile / Don’t have to stand there and burn inside /… Nobody needs a best fake friend.” James Bay had some terrific moments on Chaos and the Calm, his Grammy-nominated, debut LP.  Much of the buzz on Chaos and the Calm centers around “Hold Back the River” and gorgeous ballad, “Let It Go”.  While both of those are elite records, there’s nothing ‘fake’ about the well-rounded “Best Fake Smile.” “Best Fake Smile” is a surefire catalyst for body movement, whether that’s head banging/nodding or foot tapping.  This up-tempo joint is an instant homerun thanks to a signature guitar riff and playful, biting vocals from Bay.

11. J. Cole, “Crooked Smile”

Ft. TLC

Born Sinner » Roc Nation » 2013

“A perfect smile is more appealing, but it’s funny how / My shit is crooked – look at how far I done got without it! / I keep my twisted grill, just to show the kids it’s real / We ain’t picture perfect, but we worth the picture still.” Man, oh man, J. Cole always seems to bring some wisdom to his music.  That’s definitely the case on “Crooked Smile,” featuring TLC (T-Boz and Chili). Simply put, “Crooked Smile” is one of the best cuts of the album, and has a compelling argument to be the best (of course, is anything supplanting “Power Trip”, featuring Miguel?).  In addition to his honest first verse, as well as adding more thoughtfulness to the mix on the second, Cole delivers ‘gospel truth’ on the third: “…Look at the nation, that’s a crooked smile braces couldn’t even straighten.”

12. Avril Lavigne, “Smile”

Goodbye Lullaby » RCA » 2011

Post- “Girlfriend,” yet pre- “Head Above Water”, Avril Lavigne made it clear, “You know that I’m a crazy bitch” on “Smile.” “Smile” ranks as one of the best songs from her somewhat under-appreciated 2011 album, Goodbye Lullaby. Sure, the Canadian pop artist got more attention for single “What the Hell”, but this up-tempo joint is infectious and unapologetic in its own right. Throughout the course of “Smile,” she’s ‘over the top,’ and honestly, that’s Avril at her best.

On the chorus, she sings:

“And that’s why I smile
It’s been a while
Since every day and everything
Has felt this right
And now
You turn it all around
And suddenly, you’re all I need
The reason why-I-I-I
I smile.”

Also, worth noting, is the badass production work by Max Martin and Shellback. This includes specifics, such as the crisp sound of the assertive opening rhythmic electric guitar, as well as the overall pop/rock sensibility about this cut.

13. Kirk Franklin, “I Smile”

Hello Fear » Verity Gospel » 2011

“I smile, even though I hurt see I smile / I know God is working so I smile / Even though I’ve been here for a while / I smile.” Multi-Grammy winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin is the master of writing songs appealing to both gospel and secular audiences.  “I Smile,” the crown jewel of his 2011 album, Hello Fear, is a perfect example of an inspirational record that’s also equally at home on the urban contemporary airwaves.  The proof?  “I Smile” reached the Billboard Hot 100 (the pop charts), peaking at no. 85.  Furthermore, the record, as well as its parent album, were certified gold by the RIAA.  What a reason to smile, right? Interestingly, God is referenced in “I Smile,” but only during the chorus.

Photo Credits: 12Tone Music, Aftermath, Capitol, OVO Sound, Pixabay, RCA, Reprise, Republic, Roc Nation, Sub Pop, Verity Gospel, Warner Bros.