"This is how I feel..."

Keela35

Smile has always been in my Top 5, although I couldn't really tell you why I liked it so much.
While listening to it recently, however, I heard the same lyrics in a completely different way which gave me even greater appreciation for the song.

I've always taken the tone of the words to be slightly cynical- sarcastic even- but now I don't think they are. I'm wondering if the "it" which makes one smile when "the sun don't shine at all" might be that person's memory of a time when the sun was actually shining.

This came to me on a dreary day in which I was driving home and listening to No Code. My mind had wandered back to the happiest 2 weeks of my life- a trip to Australia and New Zealand with 2 friends for the final 4 shows of PJs 2009 tour.
Those memories are my "go to places" whenever I'm upset about something, and yes- they make me smile when the sun don't shine at all.

cyndarious1

There's definitely a slightly ironic tone in the lyrics. I never thought it to be the way you're saying, though. If for you that "it" means your best memories is okay. For me the song is not about the "it", but about the idea that there's always a reason to laugh, even though if things are not doing very well in your life.
Probably is about resignation and acceptance of one's own life, which would definitely have something to do with remembering past memories and having a good laugh once in a while.

Great song.

tick417

This song makes me think of someone who is remembering a love one that has died. "When the sun don't shine" could refer to the fact that the person has died. What makes the person smile is all of the fond memories they have with the person who has died. "I miss you already" goes right along with it. I have heard Ed refer to this as a good bye song...

cyndarious1

tick417 wrote:

This song makes me think of someone who is remembering a love one that has died. "When the sun don't shine" could refer to the fact that the person has died. What makes the person smile is all of the fond memories they have with the person who has died. "I miss you already" goes right along with it. I have heard Ed refer to this as a good bye song...

You're right. Could it be that Ed wrote this song right after someone close to him died?

Valiant_23

Jeez... I guess I'm about to sound like a pompous smart-ass but my take on Smile is...

Eddie was inspired to write the lyrics when he found a note hidden in his notebook (consults Wikipedia) by Dennis Flemion of The Frogs while Eddie was performing onstage.

Now I like to think that when Eddie found that note he thought of his friend being thoughtful and it made him smile, and I like to think that EV reminds himself that its acts like that, and friends like that which keep you going through the bad times (when the son don't shine).

I may well be the only one who thinks of Smile in this way but it doesn't mean I'm wrong...

ozgurkd

Eddie was inspired to write the lyrics when he found a note hidden in his notebook (consults Wikipedia) by Dennis Flemion of The Frogs while Eddie was performing onstage.

Now I like to think that when Eddie found that note he thought of his friend being thoughtful and it made him smile, and I like to think that EV reminds himself that its acts like that, and friends like that which keep you going through the bad times (when the son don't shine).

I may well be the only one who thinks of Smile in this way but it doesn't mean I'm wrong...[/quote]


I always loved the song Smile and listened to it live in Istanbul but just learned thru PJ radio about Dennis Flemion was he drowned?