Morgan Wallen ended 2024 by unexpectedly releasing the brooding ballad “Smile” on Monday (December 30). The song was co-written by Warren along with Rocky Bullock, John Byron, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Wojtsack and Louis Witkiewicz, according to a press release is described as a continuation of the themes established in the singer’s previous lovelorn singles “Lies Lies Lies” and “Lies Lies Lies”.
In the accompanying video, directed by Justin Clough, Warren plays himself preparing to perform in a New Year’s Eve-style broadcast. Warren sat nervously in the lounge, listening to the announcer teasing his show, and before receiving his call, he stared anxiously at the woman sitting quietly across from him. Warren sullenly walked onto the stage, seemingly ignoring notes from anxious producers about looking into the camera and remembering to smile. “People are going to love this,” he said, and Warren seemed to ignore him entirely.
The host, who was introduced as one of the “biggest pop stars in the world,” told the audience that Warren was preparing to perform “Love Somebody,” his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single released in October , a single expected to be released from his upcoming fourth studio. Instead, Warren channeled Elvis Costello, donned his Field & Stream baseball cap, stared at the lyrics on the teleprompter, and started blasting “Smile.” .
“I can’t remember the last time / You looked as happy as you did tonight / Your drunk friend grabbed that bartender / Gave him her phone and pulled us in with her There,” he sings over soft acoustic guitar in the TV show’s credits. I’m terrified of the bait and switch when the cue reads “[OFF SCRIPT]”.
Warren, however, was unfazed, crooning the song’s tender, pleading chorus, “It’s nice to see you smile/Girl, you know it’s been a while/It’s nice to see you smile/Even if it’s just To take pictures,” he lamented, saying that after experiencing so many wonderful times, all that is left are the happy memories in the photos.
Although it was an unplanned detour, Warren’s sincerity seemed to shine through, with network executives going from outrage to elation when they saw ratings soar during the show. As he sang about capturing the precious moment, Warren’s lover came out to watch the performance, and the two exchanged one last, longing look before she walked away.
“Smile” is the third single released from Wallen’s as-yet-untitled fourth album this year and the follow-up to 2023’s Billboard 200 No. 1 double LP do one thing at a time.
Check out the “Smile” video below.
