Lyrics Page
I Smile
5,071 views
Sep 30, 2026 updated
Hello Fear album
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
Kirk Franklin dedicates this one bluntly in its own spoken intro — "to recession, depression and unemployment" — before naming real hardship rather than glossing over it: "nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart, and it feels like a cold night." "A power that I can't explain fell from heaven like a shower" reaches for Acts 2:17's quotation of Joel's prophecy, "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh," the Holy Spirit's coming pictured as rain rather than an abstract concept.
"I want you to have joy 'cause can't nobody take that away from you" echoes Jesus's own promise in John 16:22, that "no one will take your joy away from you." The song is careful about the distinction it's drawing — "I just don't want you to be happy" isn't a typo, it's the whole argument: happiness depends on circumstances that stay dark through most of the song, while the joy being offered doesn't.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
depression and unemployment.
This song's for you."
Today's a new day, but there is no sunshine.
Nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart
and it feels like a cold night.
Today's a new day, where are my blue skies,
where is the love and the joy that you promised me
you tell me it's alright.
(I'll be honest with you)
I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain,
fell from heaven like a shower now.
(When I think how much better I'm gonna be when this is over)
I smile, even though I hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I've been here for a while (what you do?)
I smile, smile..
it's so hard to look up when you've been down.
Sure would hate to see you give up now
You look so much better when you smile, so smile.
Today's a new day, but there is no sunshine.
Nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart,
and it feels like a cold night.
Today's a new day, but tell me where are my blue skies,
where is the love and the joy that you promised me
you tell me it's alright.
(the truth is)
I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain (the holy ghost power, yo)
fell from heaven like a shower now.
I smile, even though I hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I've been here for a while
I smile, smile..
it's so hard to look up when you've been down.
Sure would hate to see you give up now
You look so much better when you smile.
Smile.. for me
Can you just smile... for me.
Smile.. for me
Can you just smile... for me.
ohohoh you look so much better when you
ohohoh you look so much better when you
ohohoh you look so much better when you
ohohoh you look so much better when you
ohohoh you look so much better when you
(and while your waiting)
ohohoh you look so much better when you
(and while your praying)
ohohoh you look so much better when you
(look in the mirror)
ohohoh you look so much better when you
(always remember)
You look so much better when you smile
I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain (but the holy ghost power, yo)
fell from heaven like a shower now.
I smile, even though I hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I've been here for a while
I smile, smile..
it's so hard to look up when you've been down.
Sure would hate to see you give up now.
You look so much better when you smile.
so smile.
ohohoh (Dallas) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (New Orleans) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (Clevland) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (Detroit) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (Philay) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (Jersey) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (L.A) you look so much better when you
ohohoh (all my people say) you look so much better when you
smile...
See I just don't want you to be happy
'cause you gotta have something happening.
I want you to have joy
'cause can't nobody take that away from you.
I see you.. SMILE!!