About the Song

Como, with his velvety voice and unassuming demeanor, had a knack for delivering songs that resonated deeply with listeners. “When You’re Smiling,” a quintessential example of his repertoire, carries a message as straightforward as it is profound: a smile, genuine and heartfelt, has the power to transform not only your own outlook but also the world around you.

The song’s origins trace back to the early 20th century, a testament to its enduring appeal. Its simple, yet catchy melody, coupled with lyrics that paint vivid imagery of sunshine and happiness, create an irresistible invitation to embrace positivity. Como’s rendition, in particular, stands out for its warmth and sincerity. His smooth vocals, accompanied by a gentle orchestral arrangement, evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, transporting listeners to a simpler time when life’s pleasures were often found in the smallest of moments.

“When You’re Smiling” is more than just a feel-good tune; it’s a gentle reminder of the transformative power of a smile. It encourages us to recognize that happiness is not something to be chased relentlessly, but rather a state of being that can be cultivated from within. The song’s message is particularly relevant in today’s world, where stress and anxiety often cloud our perception. It serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the face of challenges, a smile can light up our path and bring joy to those around us.

For those who grew up listening to Perry Como’s music, “When You’re Smiling” likely holds a special place in their hearts, evoking memories of shared moments with loved ones. But even for younger generations discovering this classic for the first time, its timeless message and infectious melody are sure to leave a lasting impression. In a world that often feels overwhelming, this song offers a simple yet powerful antidote: a smile.

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SHE HAD BEEN SINGING MOUNTAIN MUSIC SINCE BEFORE BLUEGRASS EVEN HAD A NAME. THEN, AT 80, WILMA LEE COOPER COLLAPSED ON THE OPRY STAGE WITH THE SONG STILL IN HER THROAT. Wilma Lee Cooper came out of Valley Head, West Virginia, where music was not something you studied in a conservatory. It was family. Church. Radio. Coal-country evenings. Her father worked in the mines. Her mother played pump organ. Wilma started singing when she was five, then sang with her family gospel group before she ever became part of country music history. She met Stoney Cooper in the early 1940s. He played fiddle. She sang and played guitar. Together they built a sound that sat between mountain gospel, old-time string band music, and the country music that had not yet decided how polished it wanted to become. They did not wait for genre labels. They drove. They broadcast. They played wherever people would listen. The roads were part of the act. Their daughter Carol Lee sometimes slept in the car under the upright bass while Wilma and Stoney went from show to show. They raised a family while keeping a band alive. They recorded songs like “Big Midnight Special,” “There’s a Big Wheel,” and “Wreck on the Highway.” By 1957, they had joined the Grand Ole Opry. The Smithsonian later called Wilma Lee the “First Lady of Bluegrass.” But that title came after decades of work. It came after she and Stoney had already spent years carrying the mountain sound through a country business that was moving toward smoother voices and cleaner suits. Then Stoney died in 1977. Wilma Lee did not leave with him. She stayed with the Opry. She kept leading the Clinch Mountain Clan. The old mountain voice remained onstage, older now but still carrying the same hard edge. She had already sung for more than sixty years by the time she walked onto the Ryman Auditorium stage on February 24, 2001. She was eighty. During that performance, Wilma Lee suffered a stroke. The career ended there. Not in a retirement announcement. Not in a farewell special. Onstage, in the place where she had kept the old sound alive for generations. The illness affected her speech and voice, and doctors doubted she would walk again. But Wilma Lee did return once more. In 2010, at the reopening of the Opry House after the Nashville flood, she came back for a group sing-along. Not to reclaim the old career. Not to prove anything. Just to stand in the room one more time and thank the people who had carried her. For most of her life, Wilma Lee Cooper sang as if the mountain had come down from West Virginia and entered the microphone. Her last great silence came on the same stage where she had spent decades refusing to let that mountain disappear.