Smile (Katy Perry song)

2020 single by Katy Perry

"Smile"

Cover for the Giorgio Moroder remix. A similar cover was released for the Joel Corry remix.

Single by Katy Perry
from the album  Smile
Released| July 10, 2020 (2020-07-10)
Studio| Pulse and Windmark (Los Angeles, California)
Genre| Nu-disco
Length| 2:47
Label| Capitol
Songwriter(s)|

* Katy Perry
* Brittany "Starrah" Hazzard
* Ferras Alqaisi
* Oliver Goldstein
* Josh Abraham
* Anthony Criss
* Benny Golson
* Kier Gist
* Vincent Brown

Producer(s)|

* Oligee
* Abraham
* G Koop

Katy Perry singles chronology
| "Daisies"
(2020)  | "Smile"
(2020)  | "Not the End of the World"
(2020)

|
|

Music video
"Smile" on YouTube

"Smile" is a song by American singer Katy Perry for her sixth studio album of the same name (2020). It was released on July 10, 2020, by Capitol Records as the second single from the album, along with the album's pre-order. Musically, it is a nu-disco song which samples Naughty by Nature's 1999 song "Jamboree". On the song, Perry talks about expressing her gratitude for changes in her life. A version featuring American rapper Diddy is featured on some vinyl versions of the album, while remixes of the song by Giorgio Moroder and Joel Corry have also been released to promote the song.

## Background and composition

[edit]

The song was officially released on July 10, 2020, along with the album's pre-order, with Perry saying she hoped "it can be a few minutes of energizing hopefulness for you as it is for meee".[1][2] "Smile" is a nu-disco[3] song which runs for 2 minutes and 47 seconds.[4] It samples Naughty by Nature's 1999 song "Jamboree".[5] The song starts off with an "upbeat hook" and a "dance-driven groove" that leads to the chorus containing lyrics expressing her gratitude for changes in her life: "Yeah, I'm thankful / Scratch that, baby, I'm grateful / Gotta say it's really been a while / But now I got back that smile".[1] On the lyrics, Perry also "extols the virtue of perseverance" after suffering setbacks where every day feels like Groundhog Day as well as "going through motions felt so fake".[6]

The song was inspired by Perry's own experiences and was described by Uproxx as an "ode to remembering life's joys". Speaking about the release of the song, she said "I wrote this song when I was coming through one of the darkest periods of my life. When I listen to it now, it's a great reminder that I made it through. It's three minutes of energizing hopefulness".[7] On some vinyl versions of the album, American rapper Diddy is featured on "Smile".[8] "Smile" was also promoted with remixes by Italian DJ Giorgio Moroder and British DJ Joel Corry.[9][10][11]

## Critical reception

[edit]

The song received mixed reviews. Vulture's Zoe Haylock called the song "empowering", comparing it to Perry's 2013 single "Roar".[12] Jason Lipshutz from Billboard, also compared "Smile" to Perry's previous songs "Walking on Air" and "Birthday", both taken from Perry's fourth album, Prism (2013), calling "Smile" the "same sort of dizzy glitter-pop" Perry embraced on Prism.[13] In writing for Consequence of Sound, Wren Graves noted the song's positive message, stating that "lyrics [are] overbrimming with warmth and gratitude. The song evokes the light at the end of the tunnel".[14] Insider's Callie Ahlgrim labelled the song one of the worst of 2020, calling it "unbearably corny" and comparing it to the children's song "Baby Shark".[15]

## Chart performance

[edit]

"Smile" debuted at number ten on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart, 22 in Scotland and 73 in the United Kingdom. It also debuted at number twenty-one on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for equivalent sales of 500,000 units in the United States.[16]

## Music videos

[edit]

### Performance video

[edit]

Perry released a performance video for "Smile" on July 14, 2020. In the video, she is dressed as a clown, in her "most fashionable clown attire, wearing an orange, polka-dotted blazer and matching blue jumper with whimsical tuxedo detailing across the front" and performs against a backdrop with a "number of giant clown hands, seated atop a comically oversized clown shoe and more".[17]

### Music video

[edit]

The official "Smile" music video was released on August 13, 2020, in an exclusive window on Facebook Watch, before premiering on other platforms the next day.[18] It features a video game theme, with Perry switching between real-life cosplay and animated video game characters. It was directed by Mathew Miguel Cullen, with storyboarding by Cullen and Josh Chesler.[19]

## Track listing and formats

[edit]

Digital download and streaming[20]

1. "Smile" – 2:47

Digital download and streaming – Giorgio Moroder remix[9]

1. "Smile" (Giorgio Moroder remix) – 3:07

Digital download and streaming – Joel Corry remix[10]

1. "Smile" (Joel Corry remix) – 3:02

Digital download and streaming – Joel Corry extended remix[11]

1. "Smile" (Joel Corry extended remix) – 4:17

Digital download and streaming – M-22 remix[21]

1. "Smile" (M-22 remix) – 3:00

Digital download and streaming – Marshall Jefferson remix[22]

1. "Smile" (Marshall Jefferson remix) – 2:38

Digital download and streaming – Tough Love remix[23]

1. "Smile" (Tough Love remix) – 2:47

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

### Song credits

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[4]

* Katy Perry – lead vocals, songwriter
* Josh Abraham – producer, songwriter
* Oligee – producer, songwriter
* G Koop – producer, additional producer
* Anthony Criss – songwriter, credit song "Jamboree"
* Kier Gist – songwriter, credit song "Jamboree"
* Vincent Brown – songwriter, credit song "Jamboree"
* Benny Golson – songwriter, credit song "Jamboree" and "I'm Always Dancin' to the Music"
* Brittany "Starrah" Hazzard – songwriter
* Ferras Alqaisi – songwriter
* Blake Harden – engineer
* Clint "CJMIXEDIT" Badal – engineer
* Darth "Denver" Moon – engineer
* Louie Gomez – engineer
* Manny Marroquin – mixer
* Chris Galland – mixing engineer
* Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
* Dave Richards – associated performer, trumpet
* Kamaria Anita Ousley – associated performer, background vocalist
* Lincoln Adler – associated performer, saxophone

### Music video credits

[edit]

Adapted from YouTube.[19]

* Brandon Bonfiglio - executive producer
* Josh Chesler - story
* Jeff Cronenweth - director of photography
* Mathew Miguel Cullen - director, story
* David Goldstein - 1st associate director
* Andrew Lerios - producer
* Ivan Ovalle - post production supervisor
* Luga Podesta - executive producer
* Alex Randall - production supervisor
* John Richoux - production designer

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Smile"  | Chart (2020–2024)  | Peak
position

|

Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[24] | 77
Australia (ARIA)[25] | 117
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[26] | 12
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[27] | 29
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[28] | 47
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[29] | 23
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[30] | 30
Croatia International Airplay (Top lista)[31] | 15
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[32] | 10
El Salvador (Monitor Latino)[33] | 17
Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)[34] | 49
France (SNEP Sales Chart)[35] | 69
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[36] | 39
Ireland (IRMA)[37] | 99
Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[38] | 77
Moldova Airplay (TopHit)[39] | 99
Netherlands (Dutch Tipparade 40)[40] | 23
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[41] | 10
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[42] | 57
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[43] | 26
Scotland (OCC)[44] | 22
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[45] | 32
UK Singles (OCC)[46] | 73
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[47] | 21
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[48] | 25
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[49] | 28
Venezuela (Record Report)[50] | 56

### Monthly charts

[edit]

Monthly chart performance for "Smile"  | Chart (2020)  | Peak
position

|

Paraguay (SGP)[51] | 53
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[52] | 39

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Smile"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[53] | Platinum  | 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[54] | Platinum  | 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[55] | Gold  | 40,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[56] | Gold  | 30,000‡
United States (RIAA)[57] | Gold  | 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Smile"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Version  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Various  | July 10, 2020  |

* Digital download
* streaming

| Original  | Capitol | [4]
Italy  | July 24, 2020  | Radio airplay | Universal | [58]
Various  | August 25, 2020  |

* Digital download
* streaming

| Giorgio Moroder remix  | Capitol  | [9]
September 2, 2020  | Joel Corry remix  | [10]
Joel Corry extended remix  | [11]
September 18, 2020  | M-22 remix  | [21]
Marshall Jefferson remix  | [22]
Tough Love remix  | [23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Gomez, Dessi (July 10, 2020). "Katy Perry's new single encourages listeners to 'Smile'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
2. ^ Langford, Jackson (July 10, 2020). "Katy Perry announces new album 'Smile' and shares title track". NME. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
3. ^ Willman, Chris (August 28, 2020). "Katy Perry's 'Smile' Gets Lost Looking for Life Lessons on the Dance Floor: Album Review". Variety. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
4. ^ a b c Perry, Katy (July 10, 2020). "Smile". Tidal. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
5. ^ Helman, Peter (July 10, 2020). "Katy Perry – "Smile"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
6. ^ Spanos, Brittany; Legaspi, Althea (July 10, 2020). "Katy Perry Extols the Virtue of Perseverance in New Song 'Smile'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
7. ^ Droke, Carolyn (July 14, 2020). "All The Best New Pop Music From This Week". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
8. ^ "Katy PERRY Smile vinyl at Juno Records". Juno Records. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
9. ^ a b c "Katy Perry – Smile (Giorgio Moroder Remix)". Spotify. August 25, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
10. ^ a b c Joel Corry Remixes:
* Streaming: "Katy Perry – Smile (Joel Corry Remix)". Spotify. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
* Download: "Katy Perry – Smile (Joel Corry Remix) – Digital Download". Amazon. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
11. ^ a b c Joel Corry Extended Remixes:
* Streaming: "Katy Perry – Smile (Joel Corry Extended Remix)". Spotify. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
* Download: "Katy Perry – Smile (Joel Corry Extended Remix) – Digital Download". Amazon. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
12. ^ Haylock, Zoe (July 10, 2020). "Katy Perry's New Single Reminds Us All to 'Smile'". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
13. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (July 10, 2020). "First Stream: New Music From Juice WRLD, Summer Walker, Katy Perry and More". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
14. ^ Graves, Wren (July 10, 2020). "Katy Perry Reveals New Album Smile, Shares Title Track: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
15. ^ Ahlgrim, Callie (December 30, 2020). "The 10 best and 10 worst songs of 2020". Insider. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
16. ^ "Katy Perry". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 10, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
17. ^ Rowley, Glenn (July 14, 2020). "Watch Katy Perry Clown Around in New 'Smile' Performance Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
18. ^ "Katy Perry Finds Her 'Smile' at the Bottom of a Pie While Showing off Her Baby Bump in New Music Video". August 13, 2020.
19. ^ a b "Katy Perry - Smile". YouTube. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
20. ^ "Katy Perry – Smile". Spotify. July 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
21. ^ a b "Smile (M-22 Remix) - Single by Katy Perry on Apple Music". September 18, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021 – via Apple Music.
22. ^ a b "Smile (Marshall Jefferson Remix) - Single by Katy Perry on Apple Music". September 18, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021 – via Apple Music.
23. ^ a b "Smile (Tough Love Remix) - Single by Katy Perry on Apple Music". September 18, 2020 – via Apple Music.
24. ^ "Katy Perry – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Katy Perry. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
25. ^ "ARIA Chart peaks of some Katy Perry singles". ARIA Charts. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via Imgur.com.
26. ^ "Katy Perry – Smile" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
27. ^ "Katy Perry – Smile" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
28. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
29. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Canada Digital)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
30. ^ Katy Perry — Smile. TopHit. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
31. ^ "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
32. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 50. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
33. ^ "Top 20 El Salvador – Del 14 al 20 de Septiembre, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
34. ^ "Katy Perry: Smile" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
35. ^ "Katy Perry - Smile". PureMédias. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
36. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
37. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Katy Perry". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
38. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
39. ^ Top Radio Hits Moldova Weekly Chart. TopHit. December 12, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
40. ^ "Katy Perry - Smile". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved May 9, 2022.
41. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 20, 2020. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
42. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
43. ^ Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart. TopHit. September 24, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
44. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
45. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 38. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
46. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
47. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
48. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
49. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
50. ^ "Top 100 - Record Report". Record Report (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
51. ^ "Top 100 de la SOCIEDAD DE GESTIÓN DE PRODUCTORES FONOGRÁFICOS DEL PARAGUAY September, 2020". (SGP). Retrieved October 4, 2020.SGP)&rft_id=http://www.sgp.com.py/listado/78/setiembre-top-100-de-canciones-de-sgp&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Smile+(Katy+Perry+song)" class="Z3988">
52. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: Sep 2020". TopHit. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
53. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
54. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Katy Perry – Smile" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
55. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Katy Perry – Smile". Music Canada. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
56. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Katy Perry – Smile" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
57. ^ "American single certifications – Katy Perry – Smile". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
58. ^ Gimigliano, Filippo (July 21, 2020). "Katy Perry - Smile (Radio Date: 24-07-2020)". earone.it (Press release) (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 4, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Katy Perry

* Discography
* Videography
* Awards and nominations
* Songs
* Live performances

Studio albums|

* Katy Hudson
* One of the Boys
* Teenage Dream
* The Complete Confection
* Prism
* Witness
* Smile
* 143

Extended plays|

* Ur So Gay
* MTV Unplugged

Singles|

* "I Kissed a Girl"
* "Hot n Cold"
* "Thinking of You"
* "Waking Up in Vegas"
* "California Gurls"
* "Teenage Dream"
* "Firework"
* "E.T."
* "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"
* "The One That Got Away"
* "Part of Me"
* "Wide Awake"
* "Roar"
* "Unconditionally"
* "Dark Horse"
* "Birthday"
* "This Is How We Do"
* "Rise"
* "Chained to the Rhythm"
* "Bon Appétit"
* "Swish Swish"
* "Save as Draft"
* "Hey Hey Hey"
* "Cozy Little Christmas"
* "365"
* "Con Calma"
* "Never Really Over"
* "Small Talk"
* "Harleys in Hawaii"
* "Never Worn White"
* "Daisies"
* "Smile"
* "Not the End of the World"
* "Electric"
* "When I'm Gone"
* "Woman's World"
* "Lifetimes"
* "I'm His, He's Mine"
* "OK"

Featured singles|

* "Starstrukk"
* "If We Ever Meet Again"
* "Who You Love"
* "Feels"

Promotional singles|

* "Not Like the Movies"
* "Circle the Drain"
* "Peacock"
* "Walking on Air"
* "Every Day Is a Holiday"
* "Waving Through a Window"
* "What Makes a Woman"
* "Resilient"
* "Cry About It Later"

Other songs|

* "Ur So Gay"
* "Hummingbird Heartbeat"
* "Dressin' Up"
* "By the Grace of God"
* "Only Love"

Concerts and shows|

* Hello Katy Tour
* California Dreams Tour
* Prismatic World Tour
* Witness: The Tour
* Play
* The Lifetimes Tour

Films and specials|

* Katy Perry: Part of Me
* The Prismatic World Tour Live
* Super Bowl XLIX halftime show
* Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide

Related articles|

* Unsub Records
* Katy Perry Collections
* Frank Perry (uncle)
* Russell Brand (ex-husband)
* Orlando Bloom (ex-fiancé)
* The Matrix
* Gray v. Perry
* Blue Origin NS-31

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

*[SGP]: Sociedad de Gestión de Productores Fonográficos del Paraguay
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