Looking back, it would appear that a good portion of the depression that Sun was feeling in early 1995 might have been from 100th Monkey’s failure to generate any interest in the "music industry". Bob Victor, his partner in that duo was busy closing one business, starting another one and moving in addition to other recording projects he was working on at the time. So 100th Monkey never quite made it past the demo stage. Heart and soul had been poured into that project to no end though Sun did share it with many friends and acquaintances developing a teensy weensy fan base. Like ‘Legend In His Living Room...plus ten” would be applicable.

            On May 20, 1995 the title “It’s A Smiley Face World” was listed on Sun’s Titles List. The first two verses, the bridge and the first line of the last verse were written two months later on July 21st. It must have been a deep depression as there is no writing at all between early February and late July. Then no writing again until early September when Sun began writing yet another unfinished opus, “The Big Pink Band-Aid”...a book of memoirs.

            There was virtually no song writing during this time until March 27, 1996. Shortly after completing the Lifespring basic course Sun decided he needed a cheerful ditty to help keep his spirits up when they were down. Anything already existing that appealed to his sensibilities was either a relationship with a person or a relationship with God type of song and though they helped they didn’t say it exactly just so. It had to be a ‘feeling good on my own terms’ type of song. So that day he just up and finished the last verse of the song which welcomes the rest of the world to join him in his ridiculous urge to be optimistic and have integrity no matter what.

            The instrumental section was conceived at the time it was written though exactly how it would sound didn’t gel until production began. Children la-la-ing, kazoos and a slide whistle were in Sun’s head but it didn’t officially turn into Carl Stalling meets The Carpenters until Ron Tooley graciously agreed to toot the five note trumpet part thanks to Dan’s skills in persuasion and production!

            Like many of Sun’s melodies, ‘Smiley Face’ was written while walking around town, like between home and work. Shortly after it was finished he sang it to his good friend and drag compadre Spiro while walking down the street one sunny Sunday afternoon. Spiro’s reaction was one of utter glee. Something like “Oh my God, I’d die to hear a club mix of that.” Well, Spiro...?