Introduction
“Smile” is a song by American country music singer Morgan Wallen. It was released on December 31, 2024, through Big Loud, Republic Records and Mercury Records, as the third single from his upcoming fourth studio album I’m the Problem (2025), following “Lies Lies Lies” and “Love Somebody”.
After extending dates of his One Night at a Time Tour well into 2024, Wallen was first spotted in the recording studio in June 2024. On July 5 and October 18, he released two singles from an upcoming project, respectively: “Lies Lies Lies” and “Love Somebody”. The then-untitled “Smile” was first teased through an Instagram post with audio of the song on August 7, 2024. Similar to his previous single releases, no information about the song or release date were shared but based on its lyrics, the song was most commonly referred to as “Good to See You Smile”. Lyrics of the snippet were interpreted as Wallen noticing his partner’s unhappiness and seeing her smile for the first time in a while. The song was released without any prior announcement on New Year’s Eve 2024, nearly five months later.
“Smile” continues the narrative set by the previous singles “Lies Lies Lies” and “Love Somebody”, as Wallen discloses stories about “life’s little moments and longings”. He reflects on lighter moments of a past relationship and stresses how he loved to see his lover “smile”. Co-written by American singer Ernest, whom Wallen had collaborated with on his single “Cowgirls” (2024), the “downbeat ballad” features “emotional vulnerability” alongside his distinct “storytelling prowess”.