Smile Mona Lisa

Album: #willpower (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Will.I.Am was allowed into Paris' Louvre museum at night time to record part of this song in front of the famed painting by Leonardo da Vinci. He told reporters in Paris: "That song touches me because I recorded a large portion of that song inside the Louvre, next to Mona Lisa's picture. They let me go to the Louvre at 2am to record the guitars for that song. I wanted to capture the ambiance of the Louvre, that Mona Lisa lives in. That was exciting, to walk through the Louvre at 2am with the manager."
  • Other songs on our database inspired by the iconic artwork include:

    "Mona Lisa" by Nat King Cole

    "Mona Lisa (When the World Comes Down)" by The All-American Rejects

    "The Mona Lisa" by Brad Paisley

    "Masterpiece" by Madonna
  • The song is based on the classic Brazilian bossa nova tune "Manhã de Carnaval."
  • Will.i.am recorded a re-tweaked version in 2016 with a new title of - spot the difference - "Mona Lisa Smile."
  • Directed by Michael Jurkovac, the music video superimposes will.i.am and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger over famous works of art including, yep, the Mona Lisa. The clip was suitably premiered by Louvre Museum.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.