Small World (Part One)

Album: Small World (1988)
Charted: 25
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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.

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