Soul Music

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Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact

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Soul Music: Series 27: Smile

Smile

Series 27

BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music, Series 27, Smile

This classic tune was written by Charlie Chaplin for the film 'Modern Times'.

Charlie Chaplin wrote the music for ‘Smile’ for 'Modern Times', but the lyrics were only added nearly 30 years later. From 2019.

Charlie Chaplin wrote the music for 'Smile' in 1935 for the film 'Modern Times', but the lyrics were only added nearly 30 years later. 

Chris Philips tells the story of how his grandfather was inspired to write the words when he left his father at boarding school.

Gemma Lowery talks about how her son Bradley loved the song;  writer Bryony Rheam describes why she associates the song with her grandmother and Marine Lucas remembers flying to Michael Jackson's memorial on hearing the news of his death.   

And author Bob Williams remembers after his father died, his mother sitting on the floor listening to the Nat King Cole version and crying when he came home from school.

Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact.  

Producer: Sara Conkey

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2019.

Soul Music: Series 27

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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