Small World
Huey Lewis & the News feat. Stan Getz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

All around the world
There are people like you and me
From the poorest beggar in the street
To the richest king and queen

Some people take and then they never give
Gotta learn to give and take
If ya want to learn to live
In a small world, small, small world

Now we can fight one another
Like they to on TV
Or we can help one another
The way it's supposed to be

If we all give a little
It could really mean a lot
It's a small, small world
But it's the only one we've got
Small world, small, small world

Small world, small, small world
It's our world, it's our power
Small world, oh

Small world, small, small world
Our one and only small world




You gotta learn to give if you want to live
Small world

Overall Meaning

The song "Small World" by Huey Lewis and the News is a call for unity in a world that can often feel divided. The first verse highlights the fact that no matter where we come from or how much money we have, we are all fundamentally the same. The second verse urges listeners to give and take, to help one another instead of fighting like we often see on TV. The chorus repeats the message that the world is small and that we need to learn to give in order to live.


Overall, the song is a reminder that we are all part of the same global community and that it is up to us to make the world a better place. By working together and putting aside our differences, we can make a positive difference in the only world we have.


Line by Line Meaning

All around the world
The entire world is filled with people


There are people like you and me
People of all kinds exist in the world


From the poorest beggar in the street
Even the most impoverished people are present


To the richest king and queen
Even the wealthiest individuals are present


Some people take and then they never give
Some individuals only receive without ever reciprocating


Gotta learn to give and take
It is necessary to both give and receive in order to coexist peacefully


If ya want to learn to live
In order to truly live, it is important to both give and take


In a small world, small, small world
The world is small in comparison to the vastness of the universe


Now we can fight one another
It's possible to harm one another through conflict


Like they to on TV
Fighting is often depicted in media and can be perceived as glamorous


Or we can help one another
Alternatively, we can work together and provide support


The way it's supposed to be
Caring for one another is natural


If we all give a little
If everyone contributes even a small amount


It could really mean a lot
The combined effort can make a noticeable difference


It's a small, small world
Since the world is small, everyone's actions can affect others


But it's the only one we've got
Despite its smallness, it is the only world we have and must take care of it


Small world, small, small world
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the idea that the world is small


It's our world, it's our power
As inhabitants, it is our responsibility and ability to make an impact in the world


Our one and only small world
We only have one world and must take care of it


You gotta learn to give if you want to live
In order to truly live, it is necessary to both give and receive




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOHN HAYES, HUEY LEWIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

David Hoover

Saw Huey being interviewed and he told the story of how Stan Getz wound up on the album. Giving it a spin; incredible!

Bradley Shaffer

I have always thought this song would be a great theme song for a late night talk show or epic movie.

Cory W

Huey sitting down on The Big Interview with Dan Rather brought me here. Awesome interview. Damn I love that show...has brought me so much beautifully undiscovered music and joy.

Linda Andrew-Marshall

me too!

Robert Wozny

@Linda Andrew-Marshall Me Three Linda Love Dan Rather's interviews

jdelavega46

Same here. Watching now.

Las Vegas Cayman

Thanks Dan... and Huey and Stan.

Chris Marino

Same!

1 More Replies...

Johnny Coxxx

Dude goes nuts on the guitar. Seriously underrated song.

Patrick Michael Langan

+Jonathan Del Castillo yep. Chris Hayes could really play some killer licks on this and other Huey and the News tunes he played on.

More Comments