2) Smith is also a D&B producer from Melbourne, Australia.
3) Smith makes beats for the soul. From Bristol, UK, having fun with I Hate Snakes! Records. Listen here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=363571696
Take a Look Around
Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In too many different ways
Looks like the politician's
Got it sewn up today
But a hundred years from now
Where are they gonna be
So whatever's making you sad today
Chorus
Take a good look around you
Don't let the world bring you down
Take a look at yourself
Let a smile replace a frown
Trouble is something we got too much of
Tryin' to find something new
Rivers and rainbows, God's creations
Out there waiting for you
Get up on your feet, get 'em to move
Take a holiday from the blues
Swim in the river, fly over the rainbow
What have you got to lose
[Chorus:]
Take a look at the good that could
Make you glad you're livin'
Take a look at you and me
There's more love we could be givin'
If it's love that's making you sad
Then it's not the love you need
Love is supposed to make you happy
Go out and find the love you need
Get up on your feet, get 'em to move
Move 'em on down the line
Let your love go for everybody
Don't you think it's about time?
The lyrics of Take a Look Around by Smith urge the listeners to take a broader perspective and not let the issues of today bring them down. The opening lines of the song suggest that there are too many people talking in too many different ways, implying a lack of unity in society. But the next lines seem to direct at the politicians, who have all the power today, insinuating that their reign will soon be over in a hundred years. The song turns towards the upbeat, with the chorus urging the listeners to look around and let positivity replace negativity.
The second verse depicts an everyday struggle to find something new to cheer up, but the world already has beauty and wonder waiting to be explored, like rivers and rainbows, which God has created. The following lines are an encouragement to get up and move beyond the troubles and blues. The song suggests this can be done through swimming in the river, flying over the rainbow, and taking a holiday. The bridge of the song truly resonatates with the spirit of the song, telling the listener to remember the good to find happiness, and the opportunity to replenish love still exists.
The message of Take a Look Around is simple but important: life is fleeting, and we should experience the joy in simple things while we can. The song is an invitation to get up, move, and get lost in the world's wonders. The song stresses the importance of positivity, though it doesn't ignore the struggles one may face. It tells the listener to stay optimistic about the future, and in the meantime, find ways to appreciate the current moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Too many people talking
There are too many people speaking their own views/ opinions.
In too many different ways
These people express their views in vastly different styles.
Looks like the politician's
It seems like the politicians are controlling the scene.
Got it sewn up today
They seem like they have had their way and everything is going according to their plans.
But a hundred years from now
The artist is referring to a long time period.
Where are they gonna be
Where would the politicians be after that extended period elapses?
So whatever's making you sad today
Whatsoever is making the listener feel unhappy presently.
Won't matter when you leave
It will not affect them in the future once they are gone.
Chorus
The lines that precede or follow are of great importance to the message conveyed.
Take a good look around you
The artist is encouraging the listener to observe their current state of affairs.
Don't let the world bring you down
They are asking the listener to be resilient in the face of troubles.
Take a look at yourself
The artist suggests the listener introspectively evaluate themselves.
Let a smile replace a frown
The listener should ponder happy thoughts and not the factors that make them unhappy.
Trouble is something we got too much of
The amount of troubles faced is so much that it is hard to keep track of them.
Tryin' to find something new
Trying to find different situations to avoid or minimize the current problems.
Rivers and rainbows, God's creations
The artist refers to natural beauty created by a supreme being.
Out there waiting for you
There are a multitude of natural wonders for people to explore.
Get up on your feet, get 'em to move
The singer is urging the listener to stand and walk/move around.
Take a holiday from the blues
Take a break from being sad.
Swim in the river, fly over the rainbow
The listener should engage in outdoor activities and nature.
What have you got to lose
The artist is questioning what the listener has to lose by following their advice.
[Chorus:]
The lines that precede or follow are of great importance to the message conveyed.
Take a look at the good that could
The listener should take a glimpse of the positive things that could happen.
Make you glad you're livin'
Helps listeners appreciate their life.
Take a look at you and me
The singer urges the listener to reflect on how people treat each other.
There's more love we could be givin'
People could be more caring and loving towards each other.
If it's love that's making you sad
The thing that is causing sadness is linked to love.
Then it's not the love you need
The thing the listener needs is not what is causing their sadness.
Love is supposed to make you happy
Love is the emotion that brings happiness.
Go out and find the love you need
The singer encourages the listener to seek out the kind of love that makes them happy.
Get up on your feet, get 'em to move
The singer is urging the listener to stand and walk/move around.
Move 'em on down the line
The listener should move to the next stage of their life journey.
Let your love go for everybody
The artist wants listeners to love everyone.
Don't you think it's about time?
The artist implies that it is necessary for the listener to think about it and act on it soon.
Contributed by Adrian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TECHNICIAN4U
SMITH was highly under-rated. This song should've been a TOP 10 HIT-however it didn't chart TOP 40!! In St. Louis, it was very popular and played often on AM radio. It's an excellent song; I believe much better than "Baby It's You", & once again like so many songs from the 60's defines an era of music that few Genres will ever come close to matching. If you get a chance, check out this album (MINUS-PLUS) and the song "Comin' Back To Me" , another great song with vocals by Gayle McCormick.
dr_wx
It was big in lowly Utica NY as well.
John Golofit
A song from the Winter/Spring of 1970 with words applicable to today’s turbulent times.
Daniel Golus
Check out Steppenwolf's "Monster" (which was also successfully released as an edited single), which was also on the charts in the Winter of 1970. Its chilling, prescient lyrics sound almost as if written in 2020!
William Conners
Just got the "Minus-Plus" album from a German company. Very good, I recommend it on Amazon. Smith & Gayle McCormick deserve a musical! Great records, wish someone would do a feature article on Gayle and interview her!
javelin1010
Gayle McCormick. Talented and gorgeous inside and out. Gone way too soon. RIP.
comicbookinker
I sure remember this song from the radio. I didn't realize it was Smith until I heard it on the Greatest Hits CD (a CD-R of it). 'Comin' Back to You' is truly awesome and has some distortion on that same legit CD. I found it elsewhere online and it is a clean version of it. I'm not sure where folks got it, as it does not sound like a DIY vinyl rip. Fans of Gayle might want to check out Demonoid for a high quality "Best of" featuring a few Smith tracks and the entire first two solo albums.
MsSnickers9
i have witnessed and have live through many milestones over the last 4 decades . with each decade , a different milestone whether political , economic or personal , my life has been affected through trials , tribulations , and tests . rather than fold or give up , i have overcome many of these with God's strength and a 5 lettered word ; a SMILE . listen to the words in this song . it has brought me through many ups and downs . now retired ; i' m still smiling to this tune ;-)
javelin1010
Gayle McCormick with Smith (Take a Look Around, Baby its you) and solo "It's a Cryin' Shame". It took me a month to get that single since it was a huge hit and sold out everywhere. I have over 5000 albums and singles so it's a great resource for looking up details of performers and songs.
Charles Yancey
great ole tune