On a plane somewhere again
I take my place in line just like every other time
I slide into my window seat
She was sitting there
One seat over so I said â??Hello, how are you today?â??
With my smile I could see the hope within her eyes
And I knew that something's different today

[Chorus]
Though everything's the same inside
There's something real
A faith which causes me to change
(But what's different now)
A spark is gleaming in my eye
Like diamond stars that fill the sky
I think a smile says it all
A smile says it all

The conversation presses on
As miles pass below, she said I have to let you know
You seem so different to me
There is a joy inside
The love of God is all I know
From which this could originate
With one smile I could see
The faith we share inside
And I know that something's different today

I see what a smile can say about me
I know that words are not always what speak
Sometimes it's not what I say
That the world around me seems to understand


Lyrics submitted by jellycakes, edited by pideltajah

Smile Lyrics as written by Robin Trower James Dewar

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing

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Smile song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    Hmm, Im trying to work out the exact meaning of this song and am finding it somewhat difficult.

    It seems to be about the writers experience as someone who files regularly, and who saw on the plane near him a woman he recognised, so he smiled at her. As he did this, there was hope in this lady's eyes and later in the conversation she commented "you seem so different to me". The artist seems to ponder "what's different now?" that caused this lady to suddenly notice there was something about the writer, when as far as he was concerned "everything's the same" as normal. He concludes that it is the power of a smile "that the world around me seems to understand", and its that "joy inside" which speaks of the love of God, which causes people to see soemthing different about us as Christians. "With one smile I could see The faith we share inside"

    Jesuz_luvs_uon June 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it means that believers have this joy that radiates within and though we look no different than others when we smile theres something different about us. Theres a twinkle in our eye and just this joy that radiates and draws people to us. It changes a person and they are no longer the same. He smiles at her and she smiles back and they both realize that they are christians.

    Tourniquet_faunson October 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't think he knew the woman on the plane. I think he just saw her and said hello and she smiled back. In her smile he saw that she shared his faith. I don't think that they usually see other Christians on their trips or something like that ("I knew that something’s different today", "You seem so different to me"). Eh, I'm not sure. I guess I agree with the first guy, except for them knowing each other.

    me77469on September 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song was a bit difficult for me to pick apart as well. I think Tourniquet fauns is right on this one. It doesn't seem clear one way or the other as to whether or not the two people know each other.

    fireToSteel0423on September 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think he does not know the woman, because it just says "she was sitting there one seat over so i said hello" kind of like when you end up on a bus or plane or subway next someone and you just say hi to let them know you are sitting there, and on a long plane ride, who would want to sit next to some random stranger that was rude? I know I wouldn't. So I don't think he knows the woman, she just happened to be sitting next to him.
    I think this song is really powerful because it reminds me that if I truly know Christ, then people will see that because they see Him at work in me. The love of Jesus can be seen that easily. Love this song!!! the first time I heard it I immediately fell in love with it!

    rock4Godon July 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I doubt he knew the woman, he was just being nice and saying hello. However, I think the main focus of the song is not on the girl specifically, but on what the two of them had in common: the light of God. When I truly became born again people seemed to sense something different in me. He is showing how he is spreading the love of God without ever saying a word, but just by smiling. It also is showing joy in knowing that he is not the only real christian left in the world, because at times it really feels like that to me.

    seelefireon December 16, 2009   Link

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