About the song
“Sweet, Sweet Smile” is a charming country and western song composed by Otha Young and Juice Newton, and it was introduced to a broader audience by the Carpenters on their 1977 album *Passage*. This track stands out not only for its melodious appeal but also for its unique backstory. It features the skilled drummer Ron Tutt, known for his work with Elvis Presley, adding a touch of classic rhythm to the song.
Interestingly, “Sweet, Sweet Smile” is one of the rare tracks selected by Karen Carpenter rather than her brother, Richard Carpenter. Initially, the song was written for Juice Newton, who was set to record it herself. However, her record label, Capitol Records, showed little interest. During this period, Juice Newton’s manager, who happened to be a friend of the Carpenters, played the demo for Karen Carpenter during a visit. Karen Carpenter was immediately drawn to the song and suggested it to Richard, who recalled, “I liked it immediately… now there’s one that, to me, should have done better than it did.” This sentiment reflects Richard Carpenter’s belief that the song deserved more recognition than it ultimately received.
Released in January 1978 as the third single from the *Passage* album, “Sweet, Sweet Smile” peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100. While it did not break into the Top 40, it made a notable impact on the country and western charts, reaching #8, and also climbed to #7 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. Despite the Carpenters’ decline in popularity at the time, the song’s success in the country genre highlighted their versatility.
The song also enjoyed international attention. It was translated into German as “Der Mann auf einem Seil,” and served as the B-side to Wencke Myhre’s 1978 hit “Lass mein Knie, Joe” (“It’s a Heartache”). A Finnish version, “Sä Oot Niin Kultainen,” was recorded by Lea Laven for her 1978 album *Aamulla rakkaani näin*.
In a nod to the song’s enduring charm, Juice Newton revisited “Sweet, Sweet Smile” in 2011, releasing a newly recorded version as a bonus track on her *The Ultimate Hits Collection* album. This reimagining underscores the song’s lasting appeal and the significant impact it has had over the decades.
Video
Lyrics
You’re always in my heart
From early in the morning ’til it’s dark
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day
When I wake up in the morning and I see you there
I always whisper a little prayer
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day
I got to know that you love me
And that you want me
And that you’ll always be there
I got to know that you care
And I got to feel your arms around me
And that you need me
And you’ll always be there
I got to know that you care
If my time’s bringing me down
You’re the only one that I want around
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day
And if I’m all strung out
You’re the only one who can straighten me out
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day
I got to know that you love me
And that you want me
And that you’ll always be there
I got to know that you care
And I got to feel your arms around me
And that you need me
And you’ll always be there
I got to know that you care
I got to know that you love me
And that you want me
And that you’ll always be there
I got to know that you care
And I got to feel your arms around me
And that you need me
And you’ll always be there
I got to know that you care
You’re always in my heart
From early in the morning ’til it’s dark
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day
I got to see your sweet, sweet smile every day