| "A Certain Smile" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork for the US 7-inch single | ||||
| Single by Johnny Mathis | ||||
| from the album More Johnny's Greatest Hits | ||||
| B-side | "Let It Rain" | |||
| Released | June 1958 | |||
| Genre | Popular | |||
| Length | 2:47 | |||
| Label | Columbia (US) Fontana (UK) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster | |||
| Producer(s) | Mitch Miller | |||
| Johnny Mathis singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"A Certain Smile" is a popular song from the 1958 film of the same name. The song was written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. Johnny Mathis performed the song in the film, and the song reached number 4 on the UK chart.
The song was nominated for the 1958 Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Background
The music was written by Sammy Fain with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster for the 1958 film of the same name, based on the novel, also titled A Certain Smile, by Françoise Sagan. Johnny Mathis, who appeared in the 1958 film as a bar singer, performing the title song. Mathis's recording, with backing orchestration by Ray Ellis and released in June 1958 (4-41193), backed with "Let It Rain". The song reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US chart.
Charts
| Chart (1958) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 30 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 7 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 22 |
Other recorded versions
The song has been covered by artists such as:
- Astrud Gilberto recorded it for her 1966 album, A Certain Smile, a Certain Sadness.
- Jay and the Americans released a version of the song on their 1963 album, At the Cafe Wha?
Popular culture
- The song was featured in the 2010 BBC production of A Passionate Woman.
References
- Vogel, Frederick G. (2015). Hollywood Musicals Nominated for Best Picture. McFarland. p. 333. ISBN 9781476611570.
- "Review Spotlight on ... Pop Records". Billboard. Vol. 70, no. 21. June 2, 1958. p. 42.
- ^ "Johnny Mathis: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- Johnny Mathis charting singles Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- "Johnny Mathis – A Certain Smile" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- "Johnny Mathis – A Certain Smile". VG-lista.
- "Johnny Mathis Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- Astrud Gilberto, A Certain Smile, a Certain Sadness Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- Jay and the Americans, At the Cafe Wha? Retrieved February 4, 2012
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