LILY ALLEN - SMILE

SMILE

LILY ALLEN

SONGWRITERS: Clement Dodd; Darren Lewis; Iyiola Babalola; Jackie Mittoo & Lily Allen

COUNTRY: U. K.

ALBUM: ALRIGHT, STILL

LABEL: CAPITOL RECORDS

GENRE: POP

YEAR: 2006

Alright, Still is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Lily Allen, released on 13 July 2006 by Regal Recordings. After being rejected by several labels, Allen signed to London Records, who eventually lost interest in Allen, leading her to meet production duo Future Cut and sign to Regal Recordings. Recording for the album began in 2004 with sessions between Allen and Future Cut, and Allen's work garnered publicity on the Internet as she posted demos to her Myspace account before they were officially released. Allen later travelled to the United States to work with Greg Kurstin and Mark Ronson, to complete the final half of the album in 2006.

Alright, Still is predominately a pop album, with songs that are heavily influenced by Jamaican ska music, reggae and hip hop. The lyrics are conversational and farcical, while discussing past relationships and a dark sense of humour. Due to the instances of strong language in a great majority of the songs, the album was released with a Parental Advisory warning, although the song "Friday Night" remains censored on all versions of the album.

"Smile" is the debut single by British recording artist Lily Allen from her debut studio album Alright, Still (2006). It was written by Allen, Iyiola Babalola and Darren Lewis, while sampling The Soul Brothers' "Free Soul". The song was released as the lead mainstream single of the album in July 2006. After signing a contract deal with Regal Recordings and gaining popularity on the social network website Myspace with demo songs, Allen released a limited edition of "LDN" to promote her work and afterwards announced the release of "Smile".

The song incorporates rocksteady music, as the lyrics tackle her dealing with the betrayal of her boyfriend, while enjoying his misery. Most contemporary critics complimented the song, noticing the confidence it hides and the carnival-esque, yet melancholy, theme. On the other hand, some considered it was not one of the album's best tracks and it makes the singer a "theoretical pop princess". The single peaked inside the top 40 of the charts of some European countries and Australia, while staying on the summit of the UK Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks and ended the year as the country's 11th most successful song. It is also charted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it was certified gold.

When you first left me I was wanting more

But you were fucking that girl next door

What you do that for?

When you first left me I didn't know what to say

I've never been on my own that way, just sat by myself all day

I was so lost back then

But with a little help from my friends

I found a light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone

So you can have a little wine and a moan

And it's only because you're feeling alone

At first, when I see you cry

Yeah, it makes me smile, yeah it makes me smile

At worst I feel bad for a while

But then I just smile

I go ahead and smile

Whenever you see me you say that you want me back

And I tell you it don't mean jack, no it don't mean jack

I couldn't stop laughing, no I just couldn´t help myself

See you messed up my mental health I was quite unwell

I was so lost back then

But with a little help from my friends

I found a light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone

So you can have a little wine and a moan

And it's only because you're feeling alone

At first, when I see you cry

Yeah, it makes me smile, yeah, it makes me smile

At worst I feel bad for a while

But then I just smile

I go ahead and smile