Smile

Synopsis

Smile is not merely a great unfinished album, but a living work of art that is all at once expansive, indeterminate, and resolutely pop. In the early 1960s, The Beach Boys rose from the suburbs of Hawthorne, California to become emissaries of a post-war American dream that fused middle-class aspiration and mobility with images of youth. Led by dream master Brian Wilson, their music gave voice to a Southern California mythos and compelled an audience across the nation and beyond to live out their own versions of the fantasy. By 1966, the encroaching counterculture added new dimensions of creative possibility to popular music. Looking to revise and expand, Brian Wilson sought collaboration with a brilliant musician named Van Dyke Parks. Together they began work on Smile, an ambitious album of music that refracted The Beach Boys' naïveté into a visionary exploration of American consciousness. Smile edged so close to greatness it seemed destined to become one of the most significant musical advances of its time. But the story didn't end quite like this. In this book of evocative essays, Sanchez traces the musical journey that transformed The Beach Boys from West Coast surf heroes into America's pop luminaries, and ultimately why Smile represents a tumultuous turning point in the history of popular music.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Power of a Smile

* Explains the scientific benefits of smiling, including reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced immune function.
* Real-world example: A study showed that nurses who smiled more frequently had lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and higher job satisfaction.

Chapter 2: Smile More, Stress Less

* Explores how smiling can help manage stress and anxiety.
* Real-world example: A study of college students found that those who smiled regularly experienced reduced levels of anxiety and depression.

Chapter 3: Smile Your Way to Happiness

* Discusses the link between smiling and positive emotions.
* Real-world example: Researchers observed that people who smiled more often reported greater happiness and life satisfaction.

Chapter 4: The Healthy Smile

* Examines the health benefits of smiling, including improved heart health, reduced pain, and boosted immune system.
* Real-world example: A study of cardiac patients found that those who smiled more had better heart function and a lower risk of death from heart disease.

Chapter 5: Smile for Success

* Explores how smiling can enhance social interactions, improve communication, and boost confidence.
* Real-world example: Research suggests that job interviewers are more likely to hire candidates who smile during the interview.

Chapter 6: Smiling Relationships

* Discusses the importance of smiling in relationships, both personal and professional.
* Real-world example: Studies show that couples who smile at each other more frequently have stronger and more satisfying relationships.

Chapter 7: The Smile Revolution

* Encourages readers to make smiling a habit and to actively seek opportunities to brighten the day of others.
* Real-world example: A global initiative called "Random Acts of Kindness" promotes acts of kindness, including smiling, as a way to create a more positive and compassionate world.

Chapter 8: Smiling for Life

* Provides tips and strategies for incorporating smiling into daily life and reaping its benefits.
* Real-world example: A study of elderly adults found that those who participated in a smiling intervention had improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of depression.

Chapter 9: The Science of Smiling

* Summarizes the scientific research on smiling and its benefits.
* Real-world example: Using electroencephalography (EEG), researchers have shown that smiling activates brain regions associated with positive emotions and reduced stress.

Chapter 10: The Smile Legacy

* Encourages readers to pass on the gift of smiling to future generations.
* Real-world example: Schools and organizations are implementing "smiling programs" to teach children and youth the power of smiling and its impact on their well-being.