You make me smile, Original song.

 

Frank Watkinson’s Latest Ballad, “You Make Me Smile,” is a Heartfelt Ode to Love and Loss

A Folk Music Veteran Finds Resonance in Simplicity

Frank Watkinson never set out to be a star. The 71-year-old folk musician, who quietly built a devoted following on YouTube, sings with an intimacy that feels less like a performance and more like a conversation with an old friend. His latest song, You Make Me Smile, is a testament to his understated power—an aching, yet tender reflection on memory, love, and the quiet moments that linger long after someone is gone.

Since its release, the song has struck a deep chord with listeners, many of whom have taken to the comments section to share their gratitude and personal stories. “Your music is truly a beautiful gift to the world,” one fan writes. Another confesses, “It’s somehow sad but incredibly beautiful. I cried a little in the end.”

So what is it about Frank Watkinson’s music that resonates so deeply?

The Unlikely Rise of a YouTube Folk Icon

Watkinson’s journey to musical recognition is anything but conventional. Unlike industry-manufactured artists vying for viral hits, he has spent years quietly releasing original songs and covers from the comfort of his home, often accompanied only by his acoustic guitar and the occasional appearance of a sleepy pet in the background.

His songs aren’t polished studio productions, nor do they need to be. Their rawness is part of their charm—an authenticity that makes listeners feel like they’re sitting across from him, hearing a story unfold in real time. His voice, worn with experience but gentle in delivery, carries an emotional weight that rivals even the most seasoned singer-songwriters.

A Closer Look at You Make Me Smile

The lyrics of You Make Me Smile tell the story of a love that still lingers long after goodbye. The opening lines set a reflective tone:

"Picturing you here / I'm pouring out another beer / So many memories to recall."

Immediately, we are placed in a moment of solitude, where the act of reminiscing is both comforting and bittersweet. The song continues to weave through personal recollections—photographs, laughter, shared walks at sunset—painting a vivid picture of a relationship that, despite its absence, still defines the narrator’s sense of joy.

Yet, You Make Me Smile isn’t just a song about loss. It’s about gratitude, too. The refrain—“You make me smile just thinking of you”—turns pain into appreciation. Even in heartbreak, there is warmth. Even in absence, there is presence.

The song’s final verses touch on life’s unanswered questions:

"To this day, I'll never know / Why we had to say goodbye / Maybe it was His plan from the start."

This quiet resignation, neither bitter nor resolved, is what makes Watkinson’s songwriting so powerful. He doesn’t offer easy answers—just honesty.

The Listeners Who Keep Coming Back

Perhaps what’s most remarkable about You Make Me Smile is not just the song itself, but the community it has fostered. Watkinson’s YouTube comments section reads like a collective journal of nostalgia, love, and personal reflection.

One listener, turning 70 soon, remarks, “Your songs make me remember how I felt in my youth. Thank you, Frank.” Another fan from Chile calls the song “filled with emotion and so soothing at the same time.”

Others reflect on how Watkinson’s music has helped them through difficult times. One particularly touching comment reads, “Your music helps really much with my mental health. I’ve been at dark places, and watching your videos and hearing your music really helps.”

There’s something deeply rare about an artist whose songs don’t just entertain, but heal.

A collaboration with New York husband and wife singer/songwriters Break Out The Crazy.

A Timeless Voice in a Changing Musical Landscape

In an age of fleeting digital trends, where algorithms dictate success and virality often trumps artistry, Frank Watkinson’s music stands apart. He doesn’t chase fame, yet he has built something far more meaningful—a devoted audience that finds solace in his songs.

You Make Me Smile is more than just another folk song; it’s a reminder of the profound impact music can have when it’s honest, when it’s personal, when it’s real. And as long as Watkinson keeps picking up his guitar, his listeners will be there, ready to press play and lose themselves in the simple, enduring beauty of his words.

Lyrics You Make Me Smile Picturing you here I'm pouring out another beer So many memories to recall And those old photographs You had the strangest laugh When you held my hand, I felt ten feet tall And you make me smile You make me smile You make me smile just thinking of you And how I miss those walks And those intimate talks In the evenings as the sun was going down The way you held your head And the scruffy clothes you'd wear How everything felt right when you were around And you make me smile You make me smile You make me smile just thinking of you And just the thought of you Would chase away the gray And you were the one that gave me strength To face another day To this day, I'll never know Why we had to say goodbye Maybe it was His plan from the start Is this the way it goes? Nobody really knows But in losing you, I gained a broken heart But you make me smile You still make me smile You make me smile just thinking of you You make me smile just thinking of you