Piliafian participated in the National Music Camp in Interlochen, MI and was the second tuba player to win the concerto competition. Via his performance at Interlochen, he was awarded scholarships to study at both Dartmouth College and the Tanglewood Music Center. Leonard Bernstein chose Pilafian to perform in the world premier of Bernstein's Mass at the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Since then, Pilafian performed numerous times in international concerts and recordings. He founded the Empire Brass Quartet and performed in the Broadway Musicals Doctor Jazz and Much Ado About Nothing.
Pilafian was also active in the jazz scene, having played with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and, since 1991, in the duo Travelin' Light with guitarist Frank Vignola. With the saxophonist Scott Zimmer, Pilafian also played the music of Maurice Ravel, Béla Bartók, Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, and Captain Beefheart. Pilafian also participated in a Pink Floyd recording.
Pilafian started teaching at Arizona State University in 1994 and later at North Dakota State University in 2017.
Samuel Pilafian died in April 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Discography
Travelling Light, Telarc, 1991
Making Whoopee, 1993
Meltdown, 1998
Perception, 1998 mit Eugene Anderson, Timothy Russell, Timothy Morrison und dem Arizona State University Symphony Orchestra
When You're Smiling
Sam Pilafian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was a kind man,
Helping a fellow along,
One could not see,
One could not walk,
But they both were humming this song;
When you're smiling, When you're smiling,
When you're laughing, When you're laughing,
The sun comes shining through,
But when you're crying you bring on the rain,
So stop your sighing be happy again,
Keep on smiling 'cause when you're smiling,
The whole world smiles with you.
I used to worry,
I used to hurry,
Each time it started to rain,
Now I see light,
Learned wrong from right,
And you'll never hear me complain;
When you're smiling, When you're smiling,
The whole world smiles with you,
When you're laughing, When you're laughing,
The sun comes shining through,
But when you're crying you bring on the rain,
So stop your sighing be happy again,
Keep on smiling 'cause when you're smiling,
The whole world smiles with you.
Sam Pilafian's "When You're Smiling" is a heartwarming and uplifting song about the power of a smile. It tells the story of a kind blind man helping a fellow person who is unable to walk, and the two of them humming the song together. The lyrics emphasize the importance of smiling and laughing, as they can bring happiness not only to oneself but to those around them, while crying can bring rain and sadness. The song also highlights the personal growth of the singer, who used to worry and complain about the rain, but now sees the light and has learned to be happy through smiling.
The song's message is simple but impactful, reminding us of the power of positivity and the importance of spreading joy to others. It encourages the listener to keep on smiling and spreading happiness, even in tough times. The connection between the blind man and the person unable to walk also emphasizes the idea of helping and supporting one another.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a blind man,
I witnessed a visually impaired man
He was a kind man,
He was a benevolent person
Helping a fellow along,
Assisting a companion who needed help
One could not see,
One individual had no visual perception
One could not walk,
The other person could not walk
But they both were humming this song;
They both were singing this tune
When you're smiling, When you're smiling,
When you are happy, joyful,
The whole world smiles with you,
People around you feel your happiness too.
When you're laughing, When you're laughing,
When you are enjoying a good laugh,
The sun comes shining through,
The world seems like a brighter place.
But when you're crying you bring on the rain,
When you are unhappy, everything feels gloomy.
So stop your sighing be happy again,
Avoid being unhappy and find joy instead.
Keep on smiling 'cause when you're smiling,
Continue to be optimistic as it can spread positivity.
The whole world smiles with you.
Your positive energy can influence others' mood.
I used to worry,
I was previously anxious about things.
I used to hurry,
I was always in a rush.
Each time it started to rain,
Every time it rained, I would panic.
Now I see light,
I have a more optimistic perspective.
Learned wrong from right,
I understand the difference between good and bad.
And you'll never hear me complain;
I never whine anymore.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Goodwin, Larry Shay, Mark Fisher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind