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

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.