Sidewalk Prophets - Smile (Single Mix) Lyrics

Sidewalk Prophets - Smile (Official Music Video)

Smile (Single Mix) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Sidewalk Prophets' song "Smile (Single Mix)," released alongside its official music video on January 9, 2020, presents a powerful and uplifting message wrapped in an accessible, pop-infused sound. The lyrics immediately address the common human experience of struggle – feeling lost, overwhelmed, and defeated ("Lost your way, lost your cool," "keep falling behind"). It acknowledges that life inevitably presents challenges that can obscure hope and make it difficult to see beyond the current difficulties. This opening sets the stage for the central theme: the transformative power of perspective.

The core of the song is found in its unwavering assertion that despite the external pressures and internal feelings of despair, "There's always a reason to always choose joy." This isn't a simple call for superficial happiness, which the lyrics distinguish as fleeting ("Happiness is wonderful, but it doesn't stick around"). Instead, the song points to "something deeper that the world can't destroy." This deeper source of joy and resilience becomes the foundation for the repeated imperative: "Smile." The song encourages not just an outward expression, but an internal shift, urging listeners to "Get up and dance" and "Just clap your hands" as acts of defiant hope in the face of adversity.

The lyrics provide a significant reason for this persistent call to smile: "There's a bigger plan." This affirmation suggests a divine or overarching purpose that transcends temporary suffering. The storm, the period of difficulty, is depicted as temporary ("The storm only lasts for a while"), reinforcing the idea that challenges have an end and do not define one's ultimate reality or worth. Choosing to laugh rather than cry when things fall apart is presented as a path to healing ("the more you laugh, the more you heal the heart"), highlighting the therapeutic aspect of actively choosing a positive response rooted in this deeper belief.

This message resonates deeply with several themes found in scripture. The concept of choosing joy amidst trials echoes James 1:2-4, which speaks of considering trials as pure joy because they produce perseverance. The promise of a "bigger plan" aligns with Romans 8:28, which states that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. The temporary nature of suffering and the certainty of eventual rejoicing reflects Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Furthermore, the foundational reason for joy being something the world cannot destroy points towards the enduring strength and hope found in faith, as highlighted in Nehemiah 8:10, which declares that "the joy of the Lord is your strength." The song thus serves as a contemporary anthem encouraging listeners to draw strength from an eternal perspective and a steadfast faith, enabling them to smile not because everything is perfect, but because of a deeper truth and hope.