Lily Allen – Smile
Lily Allen – Smile (2006)
Directed by: Sophie Muller
Smile is the debut single by British singer-songwriter Lily Allen, released on July 3, 2006, as the lead single from her album Alright, Still. Co-written with Iyiola Babalola and Darren Lewis, the track samples Jackie Mittoo’s “Free Soul” and blends reggae-pop with rocksteady influences. The lyrics depict Allen’s satisfaction in seeing her ex-boyfriend suffer after their breakup, juxtaposing upbeat melodies with themes of betrayal and revenge. The song achieved significant commercial success, topping the UK Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks and earning a Gold certification in the U.S. The accompanying music video, directed by Sophie Muller, portrays Allen orchestrating a series of pranks on her unfaithful ex-boyfriend, including hiring thugs to beat him up and vandalizing his apartment. The video’s cheeky narrative complements the song’s themes of empowerment and retribution. However, due to explicit language, it faced censorship on certain platforms.
