Wednesday, October 05, 2005

A Certain Smile

How could I have forgotten Johnny Mathis in my roster of favorites?! Admittedly, I only know two or three of his songs. But (again!) my father liked listening to him and Mathis’ voice grew on me. I always mistake him for Nat King Cole. They sound the same to me. That is why I like them both.

Most of all, I love his song A Certain Smile

Years back, I watched an old movie with the same title. (One of the local networks had a month long feature of classic movies. You bet I didn’t miss a single one.) It is a love story set in France. Of course, the actors were all French except for one vaguely familiar name – Joan Fontaine. I think she was a famous Hollywood star.

Where was I? I am rambling.. Oh yes.

To my surprise (and pleasure!), Johnny Mathis himself made a special appearance in the movie and sang the song.

His song, nominated for Song of the Year during the 1958 Academy Awards, is a classic. The lyrics…Whew! And his voice..! You just have to hear him sing.

A certain smile, a certain face
Can lead an unsuspecting heart
On a merry chase
A fleeting glance can say
So many lovely things
Suddenly you know why my heart sings

You love awhile and when love goes
You try to hide the tears inside
With a cheerful pose

But in the hush of night
Exactly like a bitter sweet refrain
Comes that certain smile
To haunt your heart again

I used to only know the very first line and last four lines. That was enough for me. It had me at .. a certain smile.

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