In 1991 the band signed to Epic Records and released their debut album First of Too Many, featuring artwork by Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett who was a friend of the band. The album was well received and saw the band experimenting with other musical styles including some acoustic songs. The band enjoyed a run of reasonably successful chart singles and sold out club tours. In 1992 the band undertook an long and intensive tour of America with Blur.
The next album, 1993's Empire of the Senseless, showed some darker grunge influences. The lead single "Homophobic Asshole" was an angry and passionate song, although it was not a large hit. The following singles "Hold it Down" and "Primary Instinct" were reasonable successes.
The band's final album was 1995's Taking Care of Business backed with controversial single "Christian Killer" (renamed "Christine Keeler" for the album). The album flopped and the band split in 1995 after one final tour.
In 1995 Mark Keds briefly joined The Wildhearts (he appeared on the 'Just in Lust' single cover, as well as its 3 flipside tracks, but never actually gigged with them) before forming his own band Jolt in 1996. Ben Harding formed the new band 3 Colours Red who were the most successful of all ex members of the Senseless Things new bands. Morgan Nicholls briefly joined The Wonder Stuff vocalist Miles Hunt in Vent 414 before rejoining Cass Browne in Delakota in 1998.
Weirdly, the Senseless Things ex-rhythm section now feature in some of the biggest bands in the business - Morgan has played bass and other instruments for The Streets, and is now a permanent fixture in Muse - performing keyboards and backing vocals at live gigs. Cass Browne plays live drums for Gorillaz - a band who were, of course, created by Senseless Things cover artist Jamie Hewlett and their old tour-mates, Blur.
Easy To Smile
Senseless Things Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One more time
No pressure on my soul
No stress can take its toll
No brother, face it in a while
My heart burns and pounds
Just make it easy to smile
So try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to you
You might try to close your eyes
One more time
It's true the price is high
So swear that you'll buy
And give yourself up; don't die
Eyes burn in your back
Someone knows all the facts
Can pull you inside, off the track
I have no gun here next to you
One step then take whatever's next
The lyrics of "Easy to Smile" by Senseless Things express a sense of release and freedom from pressure and stress. The singer reassures himself that he can relax and let go of his worries, as there are no expectations weighing him down. The chorus is an exhortation to make it easy to smile, which can be interpreted as an encouragement to stay positive and focus on the good things in life. The second verse offers a contrast to this playful exuberance; the price of happiness is high, and someone is always watching, ready to pull you back into the harsh reality. Despite this, the singer asserts that he is unarmed and vulnerable, implying that he is still willing to take risks and live without fear.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of optimism and determination in the face of adversity. The lyrics are open to multiple interpretations, but they all seem to point towards the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and refusing to be weighed down by negative emotions or external pressures. The upbeat melody and catchy chorus reinforce this message, making "Easy to Smile" a uplifting and empowering anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
You might hold your head up high
Possibly, you may feel confident and proud of yourself.
One more time
Maybe it's the last time.
No pressure on my soul
My spirit is free from stress and anxiety.
No stress can take its toll
I'm immune to feeling tired or depressed.
No brother, face it in a while
Don't worry, things will turn out well eventually.
My heart burns and pounds
My heart beats fast and intensely.
Can I? Can I relax now?
Is it possible for me to calm down and unwind?
Just make it easy to smile
I want to be able to smile without any effort.
So try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to you
Giving things a shot won't be embarrassing when you're around.
You might try to close your eyes
You could choose to shut your eyes.
It's true the price is high
It's undeniable, the cost is steep.
So swear that you'll buy
Promise to acquire it.
And give yourself up; don't die
Surrender to it entirely, don't let it defeat you.
Eyes burn in your back
Paranoid that someone is watching you.
Someone knows all the facts
Someone seems to be aware of all the details.
Can pull you inside, off the track
Could hinder you from progressing or succeeding.
I have no gun here next to you
I'm unarmed and not a threat to you whatsoever.
One step then take whatever's next
Take the first step, and then decide what to do next.
Writer(s): M. Keds
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leigh Beckly
Easy to Smile lyricsYou might hold (you might hold) you might hold your head up high
One more time
X2No pressure on my soul
No stress can take its toll
No brother, face it in a whileMy heart burns and pounds
Can I? Can I relax now?
Just make it easy to smileSo try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to youYou might try (you might try) you might try to close your eyes
One more time
X2It's true the price is high
So swear that you'll buy
And give yourself up; don't dieEyes burn in your back
Someone knows all the facts
Can pull you inside, off the trackSo try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to youYou might hold (you might hold) you might hold your head up high
One more time
X2No pressure on my soul
No stress can take its toll
No brother, face it in a whileMy heart burns and pounds
Can I? Can I relax now?
Just make it easy to smileSo try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to you
I have no gun here next to youOne step then take whatever's next
X3
One step then take whatevers
Take whatevers next
Vermillion 303
Awesome energy, great bass playing from Morgan Nicholls, great chords, can't get enough of this song.
Sedge Seymour
Love this so much... Still have this cd single... Difficult to find an unedited version of this song... Full version is by far the best... Amazing song with stellar bass work... Was lucky enough to see Senseless Things live on Empire of the Senseless tour... All went on to great things... RIP Mark Keds.
Adalsteinno
The great unsung gems of the 90s. Thanks for making 90s youth second to none.
Sarah Joy
Never heard this long version! Thanks for uploading. Still wish I could play bass like Morgan...
The Phantom Raspberry Blower
Thank you for uploading this. I thought I'd never heard it before seeing as it weren't on the album
Leigh Beckly
Easy to Smile lyricsYou might hold (you might hold) you might hold your head up high
One more time
X2No pressure on my soul
No stress can take its toll
No brother, face it in a whileMy heart burns and pounds
Can I? Can I relax now?
Just make it easy to smileSo try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to youYou might try (you might try) you might try to close your eyes
One more time
X2It's true the price is high
So swear that you'll buy
And give yourself up; don't dieEyes burn in your back
Someone knows all the facts
Can pull you inside, off the trackSo try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to youYou might hold (you might hold) you might hold your head up high
One more time
X2No pressure on my soul
No stress can take its toll
No brother, face it in a whileMy heart burns and pounds
Can I? Can I relax now?
Just make it easy to smileSo try, it doesn't feel to dumb here next to you
I have no gun here next to youOne step then take whatever's next
X3
One step then take whatevers
Take whatevers next
M H
Saw them play at the Palace in Hollywood back in 91. Damn good show. Had the chance to meet the band at a record shop on Highland Ave. Cool guys. Mark gave me a signed band photo. I still have it.
Nick Turner
Should have been bigger than they were. Them and the wildhearts should have rocked the world. Great band mega mosh pitts!
kollective karma
awesome band awesome track..... great quality as well thanks for posting !!
sophia liana
its cool people still appreciate them, i still cant get enough of the 'things'. im gonna make me a pop kid T soon. :)