Recorded: Woodwharf, Greenwich / Plotts, Sittingbourne / New Road, Abbey Wood
October 1988
and 16 (Lead vocal) September 1989

Mark Tingley: Lead vocal, Acoustic guitar, Drums
Nigel Marvin: Lead guitar
Growlin’ Sturgeon: Bass


"Smile" began as chords on a guitar. I took what I had to Woodwharf rehearsal studio where I built up the drum track.

I met Nigel Marvin and Growlin' Sturgeon (collectively known as Watch Out We're Mad!) in 1987 when I replied to their ad for bass player. I never got the job (!) but we became good friends. Consequently I rang them up and drove down to Sittingbourne, Kent where Growlin' added bass and Nigel laid down a blistering solo.

It was the first time I'd heard Nigel Marvin as a guitarist par excellence and it was the beginning of a working partnership that has continued on and off to this day...

"Smile" acquired the working title of "Irish Wings" because the Watch Out We’re Mad! handy work reminded me of Wings "Give Ireland back to the Irish".

I know some of my songs have been left open to interpretation over the years, but never has anybody told me my lyrics reminded them of a womans period (!), as was the case with the line "Hit upon a purple patch"!

Later when I was in the final stages of finishing the album, I took advantage of the natural reverb of Helen's living room at New Road. While making sure the rest of the Smith family were out of hearing range, I got down a solo vocal to finish the track.