“He knew how to make you laugh and cry at the exact same time.”
Those were the words Michael Jackson used to describe his ultimate hero, Charlie Chaplin. For a man who lived his entire life under a blinding global spotlight, those words were a perfect description of his own reality. He was a superstar who spent his childhood and adulthood masking immense personal isolation and physical pain behind an iconic, dazzling public grin.
When Michael looked for comfort in his absolute darkest moments, he didn’t turn to one of his own record-breaking dance tracks. Instead, he turned to “Smile,” a timeless melody composed by Chaplin for his 1936 film Modern Times.
This gentle piece of music served as a secret blueprint for Michael’s life. It became his ultimate emotional medicine, and eventually, it transformed into his final, tragic farewell to humanity.
Smile – Michael Jackson
Michael saw his own chaotic life mirrored perfectly in Chaplin’s famous “Tramp” character. The Tramp was a quiet underdog who stubbornly kept his dignity, hope, and humor alive despite facing harsh poverty and hardship.
The central lyrics of the track summarized Michael’s daily routine. “Smile, though your heart is aching and smile, even though it’s breaking.” From the intense pressure of his childhood in Indiana to the relentless media trials later in life, he felt an absolute obligation to perform.
Yet, despite its sad, slow tone, “Smile” was ultimately an anthem of resilient hope. The music promised that tomorrow would be a spectacular sunrise if you just kept trying. Michael loved this message of optimism so much that he recorded his own sweeping, orchestral version of it for his massive 1995 double-album HIStory, keeping it as a shield against the storms of fame.
On July 7, 2009. The world completely stopped in its tracks following Michael’s sudden, tragic passing. Thousands of grieving loved ones and millions of fans tuned in to watch his public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
When the time came to give Michael one last musical tribute, his older brother, Jermaine Jackson, bravely stepped forward to take on the most difficult task of his life.
Jermaine Jackson – Smile (Live Performance at Michael Jackson Memorial)
Before hitting the stage, Jermaine and all of Michael’s brothers acted as pallbearers to carry the golden casket. In a unified visual honor that moved the entire room to tears, each brother wore a single, white sequined glove on their hand, a direct, loving nod to Michael’s signature style.
Jermaine slowly walked up to the lone microphone. Backed by a soft, quiet arrangement of instruments, he began to sing “Smile” directly to his little brother’s memory.
It quickly became one of the most defining, devastating moments in television history. As Jermaine sang the heartbreaking line, “Hide every trace of sadness, although a tear may be ever so near,” the reality of the loss completely crashed down on him.
His voice visibly cracked with raw emotion. He could barely push the words past his throat, laying bare the Jackson family’s genuine, and private grief underneath the global spectacle. Through Jermaine’s tears, the song transformed from Michael’s personal coping mechanism into a collective, and final goodbye from a brother to a king.
Michael Jackson showed us all that no matter how much the world hurts you, you can always choose to paint a beautiful smile over your pain and keep moving forward toward a brighter tomorrow. Jermaine’s tearful performance proved that true love and family loyalty are the loudest forces on earth, ensuring that the King of Pop’s gentle, loving spirit will continue to shine bright forever.