After winning The X Factor, Steve Brookstein was immediately signed to the Sony BMG record label through which he released his first single, a cover of "Against All Odds" on 20 December 2004. The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 2 and then rose to the number 1 spot on 2 January 2005, and stayed there for one week. In Ireland, the song peaked at number 11. The music video for the song was a montage of clips from his time on The X Factor, from his initial audition to his final performance after being declared the winner.
Brookstein released his debut album Heart & Soul on 9 May 2005 through Sony BMG, five months after his first single reached number one. The album was an immediate success, also debuting on the UK charts at number one and going on to sell approximately 250,000 copies. Although Brookstein continued to perform tracks from his album on television shows, a second single failed to materialise. In August 2005 it was announced that Sony BMG had dropped him from their line-up only eight months after his X Factor victory and despite the success of his debut single and album. Brookstein maintains that the decision to 'drop' him reportedly came after he was offered a second album and to come back on the show, which he declined as it was to be another album of covers and he preferred a mix of old and new.
After being released from his contract by Sony BMG, Brookstein spent the next year writing his own material and forming his own record label. On 2 October 2006, he released his second single (and first from his upcoming album), Fighting Butterflies, independently. Although accompanied and promoted by a music video, the song failed to crack the UK Top 75. Undeterred, Brookstein released his second album, 40,000 Things, on 9 October 2006. However, the album also failed to chart.
From September to November 2006, Brookstein embarked on a nationwide tour of small venues in order to promote his new album. Many of the shows were sold out, but several had to be cancelled due to low ticket sales.
In June 2007, Brookstein appeared on the P&O Portsmouth to Bilbao ship for cruisers, alongside X Factor series 2 alumni Chico and Journey South In September 2007, Brookstein embarked on his Great American Soul Book tour, and in October he recorded and contributed the track "Head Over Heels" for Ian Levine's Disco 2008 album. In 2008, he played 'the father' in a touring production of the award-winning musical Our House.
In 2009 he was working on producing his wife Eileen Hunter's jazz album and performing at smaller venues. He also recorded a cover of Promised Land with the Boogie Pimps which was a best seller for the label, Liberty Records.
Since his 2004 X-Factor win and subsequent fall from grace, Steve has spent much of his time bitterly, publicly and vociferously criticising Simon Cowell, The "X-Factor" phenomenon and the media generally, via his website and twitter feed.
Smile
Steve Brookstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though your heart is aching
Smile
Even though it's breaking
When there are clouds
In the sky,
You'll get by
If you smileThrough your fear and sorrow
Smile
And maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun
Come shining through
For you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear
May be ever so near
That's the time
You must keep on trying
Smile
What's the use of crying?
You'll find that life
Is still worth-while
If you just smile
Smile
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear
May be ever so near
That's the time
You must keep on tryingSmile,
What's the use of crying?
You'll find that life
Is still worth-while
If you just smile
Keep on smiling
Oh yeah
Smile
Never, never, never stop smile
Smile
The song "Smile" by Steve Brookstein is a beautiful and uplifting tune that encourages the listener to keep smiling through their difficulties in life. The lyrics suggest that even though the heart may be aching and there may be clouds in the sky, smiling can help one get through those moments of fear and sorrow. If one keeps trying and doesn't give up, they will eventually see the sun shining through for them. The song emphasizes the importance of staying positive, even in difficult times, and highlights the power of a smile in lifting one's spirits.
The repeated phrase "Smile, what's the use of crying?" reminds the listener that sometimes it's better to focus on the good instead of dwelling on the bad. Even though tears may be near, one should always try to keep smiling and remain hopeful. This message of hope and positivity resonates with many listeners and has made "Smile" a popular song for years.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile
Encouraging you to smile
Though your heart is aching
Even though you're feeling sad
Smile
Encouraging you to smile
Even though it's breaking
Even though it hurts
When there are clouds In the sky, You'll get by
Even though things may seem rough, you'll survive
If you smile Through your fear and sorrow
You can overcome your fears and sadness just by smiling
Smile And maybe tomorrow
Smiling today can bring hope for a better tomorrow
You'll see the sun Come shining through For you
Things will get better and brighter for you
Light up your face with gladness
Be happy and joyful
Hide every trace of sadness
Don't show your sadness to the world
Although a tear May be ever so near
Even if you feel like crying
That's the time You must keep on trying
That's when you should keep going and never give up
Smile What's the use of crying?
Crying won't solve the problem, so smile instead
You'll find that life Is still worth-while If you just smile
Life is still good even if it's not perfect, so smile
Keep on smiling Oh yeah
Keep on smiling, no matter what
Smile Never, never, never stop smile
Keep on smiling, always
Smile
Encouraging you to smile
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONNA LORRAINE MATTHEWS, JUSTINE ELINOR FRISCHMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Matthew118
Man, should be on top of the world this fella, bloody great voice!
@paulinelee1762
Back Again Steve ,Brings back So Many Great Memories back to me. Love it ! XXXXX
@nickmorris9689
Tremendous voice
@annarnold1618
Still love this song! And Steve sings it beautiful! Such a talented young man with a lovely voice
@liamholmes9169
Steve is amazing, he deserves to win. He is so good.
@paulinelee1762
Listening with my Son and Daughter to your Beautiful voice singing one of my All Time favorite songs. Fantastic Steve. Big Hello from your fans in Dublin.
@paulinelee1762
The Very Best version of SMile Ever ! Here I am again Steve bak to listen to your Beautiful voice and rendition of one of my All Time Favorite Songs ! Fabulous Steve Just Fabulous ! XXXXX
@paulinelee1762
Back listening again to your Beautiful voice Steve singing sch a Gorgeous song. Big Hello Steve from the Lee Family XXXXX
@crumpet68
I could watch that all day thanks for putting it on he is some thing else wow brenda
@sushiewushie
Beautiful. Knocks the socks off lots of other singers!