Small World (Part One)

Album: Small World (1988)
Charted: 25
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Not to be confused with the famous Disney song, this "Small World" is the title track to Huey Lewis & the News' fifth album. Written by Lewis with his guitarist, Chris Hayes, the song is about how we all need to give a little if we're going to get along. It's a small world, and it's the only one we've got.
  • This song is divided into two parts. Part One opens the album and features the Tower of Power horn section. Part Two is Track 5, and in addition to the ToP horns, has a tenor sax solo from Stan Getz, famous for his rendition of "The Girl From Ipanema."

    Getz introduced himself to Lewis at a benefit concert for the sax player Zoot Sims, who died in 1985. He told Lewis he'd be happy to play on some of his songs, so Lewis took him up on the offer. Getz' business card said, "Stan Getz. Have sax, will travel."
  • Huey Lewis had a "world" theme going; the lead single from the album was "Perfect World," which went to #3 in America. "Small World" followed, but didn't do as well, topping out at #25. "Perfect World" was helped by an MTV-friendly video; the "Small World" video was compiled from concert footage.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graduation Songs

Graduation SongsFact or Fiction

Have you got the smarts to know which of these graduation song stories are real?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."