"Smile, Darn Ya, Smile!" (Billy Cotton, 1931)

With such optimism, energy and unbridled jollity arrayed against him, how could Old Man Depression stand a chance?
A fun number by Billy Cotton's band sung by Alan "Lovely bunch of Coconuts" Breeze...writing credits to the team of Meskill, Rich and O'Flynn.

The song reached a new and enthusiastic generation in the soundtrack of 1988's film, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"

SMILE, DARN YA, SMILE
(Charles O'Flynn / Jack Meskill / Max Rich)

Let's all get together with this one thought in mind,
Make this world a better, brighter place.

Tell each bluenose and gloom-chaser you ever find, "Hey there, wipe that frown right off your face!"

"Smile, darn ya, smile!
You know this old world is a great world after all,
Smile, darn ya, smile!
And right away watch lady luck pay you a call.
Things are never black as they are painted,
Time for you and joy to get acquainted.
So make life worthwhile
Come on and smile, darn ya, smile!"

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Alan Breeze
• Billy Cotton
• 1931
• Meskill
• O'Flynn
• roger
• rabbit

[genia106]

This song is better than a visit to a therapist. I should be careful... you might start charging a fee for all these upbeat tunes. :)

[RReady555]

Never, genia. ;)

They're free gifts from our elder cousins--who knew tougher times than our own and pulled through o.k.

Best,

-RR

[CrazyCheeseMagee]

Gotta love the optimism in context of the time it was in. This was The Great Depression, and this song and cartoon resonates quite well now that we're in a recession almost as bad. Well, many say that the popular music of the time reflects the time itself. Maybe now, artists such as the odd Lady Gaga and movies such as the Twilight series present an escape from the troubles of failing banks and subprime mortages, like Rudolph Valentino did back in the day.

[avdreader1]

I really like this one! This music makes me feel terrific!

[giagia282]

5 notes, and I'm back in Toontown!

[corwinorr]

@viagemixtlan AWW, SHUT YER YAP AN' SMILE!!!

[JeffHendrie]

@RReady555 My grandma was in those times, born 1929, she's 81, and almost as upbeat as the old tunes you've got, I say, forget the CDs, forget the DVDs, forget the radios of today with clocks on batteries, forget computers, and digital timepieces, I use typewriters, records, (some even printed in 1910-1956/69), digital video cameras until I get a film one, film cameras, my most used typewriter is one of the first 1000 portable typewriters ever made, a 1922, "REMINGTON PORTABLE". Thanks. :)

[jcbsebrigh]

ilove...classics..:+))

[PrincessJoyZmine]

Full lyrics anyone? I wanna put it in my cup o sunshine!

[viagemixtlan]

@CrazyCheeseMagee "and cartoon resonates quite well now that we're in a recession almost as bad". don`t be naive, we are a dying race.

[thatSTERLINkid]

If you really want to smile, listen to this song and use the steam or fog on your window to make a ton of smiley faces on it. That way, the only way you can see outside is through a smile =] (Wouldn't recommend if you're driving.)

[dohertykaki]

:-))

[KosaiAvonej]

If your not smiling after listening to this you should be locked up cause you'd be insane!