Key West Music And Happenings: SMILE!

“Smile” is one of the most interesting songs in my catalog, for several reasons. To begin with, I started writing the song in 1982! At the time I was living in the back half of this cool little duplex in Miami with my first wife, Mercy. It had a little extension foyer for the front door, which was about 6 x 5, and the walls on the left and right were floor to ceiling jalousie windows. One evening it was pouring rain. I mean really intense rain! No wind, it was just coming down straight like there was no tomorrow. I went out in the foyer and brought my guitar with me. The jalousies were open about half way, so the sound of the storm was right there !The rain was pouring, the lightning was putting on a show, and the thunder was rolling in time to what was playing! I played and played this chord progression that just came to me that night, as the storm raged outside. There was no doubt that this was something, not just good, but special. In the end of evening I realized that the song needed more, not to mention lyrics once the music was settled.

I’d pick up my guitar over the years and try to find a chorus for it, to no avail. Then in 1996... fourteen years later, it finally dawned on me why I couldn’t come up with a chorus for it. The reason I couldn’t find the chorus, was elementary: The music I had, was the chorus! Hello. Epiphany #1

Having finally realized this, I set out on the rest of the song. I came up with it, but it was one of those things that just didn’t hold water. Listening to myself playing it, I realized the new part just didn’t do any justice to that chorus I had written in 1982. Speaking frankly, it flat out sucked, so I pulled it and stored the chorus on the shelf. However, at least now I realized what I had was a chorus! To what, I didn’t know?

In 2015 I had the urge to write an up-beat, fun, positive song. The very first thing I thought of was my chorus that I had written... thirty-three years earlier! Additionally, it was perfect for what I had in mind! Suddenly an idea came to me musically. I pulled out my old guitar “Bell”, a 1975 Guild D25, that had since been retired, but the guitar I wrote that chorus on in 1982. It was the right way to continue the script, the tale and especially the music.

The chord progression for the verses came very, very quickly.... a lot like the chorus had, so many years ago. Additionally, the new chord progression for the verses was quite unique. I’d say it was a study of the C chord and it’s immediate family. The best part was that it all fit together perfectly! Lyrics would be next.

As I was saying before, I wanted the song to be fun, positive, and upbeat. I was thinking that it would be fun to share writing the lyrics with Dani. However, she wasn’t feeling it at that moment. As a song writer, you have to be able to make the song part pf your life. For that moment it wasn't in her persona. I had done a bit of work on it and had several verses written for it.

I touch up-edited the lyrics a bit to make it fit the music, but all-in-all it fell together pretty well. I figured Dani might want to give it another look, but we became too busy with gigs, projects, and life. A few months later I picked up lyric/chord sheet and canvased the entire song, thinking it could use another verse, or something? After going through it, Epiphany#2 struck me: This song, “Smile” is done and it had been done for quite some time, I just didn't realize it! It was akin to "Can't see the forest for the trees". I filed it with BMI in 2018.

All songs are given to us, as writers. This one came in stages, but it got here! Additionally, it was kind enough to allow me to put my name as the songwriter. Thank you to the power of the universe for including me!