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R.E.M. – Why Not Smile (1998) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
R.E.M.
Up
Why Not Smile

TRACK

Why Not Smile

Release date: 29th October 1998

About This Track

"Why Not Smile" is a track by R.E.M., from the album Up, released 29th October 1998. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about R.E.M..

About the Artist

R.E.M.

R.E.M.

Lyrics

Why Not Smile

[Verse 1]

The concrete broke your fall

To hear you speak of it

I'd have done anything

I would do anything

I feel like a cartoon brick wall

To hear you speak of it

[Chorus]

You've been so sad

It makes me worry

Why not smile?

You've been sad for a while

Why not smile?

[Verse 2]

I would do anything

To hear you speak of it

Why not smile?

[Outro]

You've been sad for a while

You've been sad for a while

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Up

1998

Listen

Album

Release year

1998

—Why Not Smile
—You’re In the Air
—Sad Professor
—Parakeet
—Airportman
—Diminished / I'm Not Over You
—Falls to Climb
—Walk Unafraid
—The Apologist

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Live At The Olympia In Dublin 39 Songs

In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003

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Reveal

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Michael Stipe is finishing up work on his upcoming solo debut, 'FYI'

Michael Stipe is finishing up work on his upcoming solo debut, 'FYI'

A tree recording, Daft Punk textures and 'Drunken Sailor' all feature on the record

24 Apr 2026 • 10:20 am

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck
Producer: Pat McCarthy, R.E.M.
Bass: Mike Mills
Guitar: Peter Buck
Vocals: Michael Stipe
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen
Mixing Engineer: Pat McCarthy, R.E.M.