Smile to be used in Japanese TV drama
Nikkan Sports, 2002-04-03

 

Nikkan Sports, April 3, 2002

Standard number "Smile" for Kimutaku's drama

It is known on April 2 that "Smile" from Chaplin's "Modern Times" will be used as the title song for Fuji TV's new drama "100 million stars falling from the sky" (starts from April 15, every Monday on 21:00), with Sanma Akashiya (age 46) and Takuya Kimura (age 29) of SMAP as leading actors. Internationally famous rock musician Elvis Costello (age 47) sings it. He gives a new touch to this long-time standard number with a band and strings formed by 14 musicians.

3 years ago, Elvis Costello had a smash hit "She", the theme song for Julia Roberts' (age 34) "Notting Hill". A producer of Fuji TV wanted to give the image of this film to his new drama, so he contacted EC and sounded this idea early this year. After reviewing the planning memo of the new drama, EC offered his idea of covering "Smile" which Charles Chaplin (died of age 88) wrote for his film "Modern Times"(1936). EC wrote a score with new arrangement in a few days and formed a band of 14 musicians with strings to give a new touch to this long-time standard.

The song has been covered by many musicians such as Jazz singer Nat King Cole (died of age 45), Soul singer Diana Ross (age 58) and so on.

Costello says, "I tried not to make a music that could be heard before. I recorded it by 1 take to make the performance lively enough."

He completed his first album in 7 years "When I was cruel" which includes this song (on Japanese release only - Ed). It will be released on April 17. Universal Music considers releasing "Smile" single internationally.

*Elvis Costello
Born as Declan Patrick Macmanus on August 1954 in London. Debut with "Less than zero" on March 1977. He had worldwide hits after another in 80's. With his edgy vocal, he has high reputation as a melody maker. His stage name comes from his respect to Elvis Presley and his mother's maiden name.