I wrote/recorded this song near or about 1989, both words and music, for, and about my wife. As I recall, we'd had a pretty severe fight the day(s) before, I could not go to work the next day and instead stayed home and fleshed out this song on my acoustic guitar (the Nagoya). I'm glad I did.
The early part of the lyric alludes to her childhood as the youngest child of parents who were each divorced/remarried 3 times, and the tribulations she went through as a result. The rest of the song comes from my own personal experience as her husband of more than 26 years. She is still after all these years one of the most passionate and fiery personalities I've known.
This song is intended as a tribute to her fortitude in overcoming the odds as a child/teenager and as a very young single mom. It's a tribute to the light that's inside her that has no choice but to manifest itself as a smile.
The song quickly went electric/metal with what I'll call a "rather energetic" drum track (bass too). I really tried to make it as searing and fiery and attractive as she is, and it ends up not even being close, but that's as far as the frets would go. I like the way the organ complements the power chords here and there, a bit like Deep Purple, and speaking of really old bands, I remind myself of the drummer from Grand Funk Railroad here and there (a bit busy at times). This is another case where I got a new toy: the little Yamaha drumpads, and just had to have it front and center.
I know sometimes it's been a hard life for you...that's over now, on your way home.
Seems unfair to say that there was something you could do...that's over now, on your way home.
Didn't need anyone to tell you, how the song was sung.
Didn't buy what they tried to sell you when you were young.
Looking back, it seems to me, you played your own melody...
The words are new, the tune will come, because I know...
In your mind's a whirlwind, in your heart a fire.
On your lips a "welcome in", in your hands desire...
To change your world, to live your life: one smile at a time.
One word, one voice, one mind... you and I.
I know sometimes it's been a hard day or two.
Oh somehow you have to let it go.
Seems unfair that there is always something better for you to do
You're older now, you have to let it go.
Didn't need anyone when I met you, you didn't need help.
Didn't think anybody would let you just be yourself...
Look around, it seems to me, we're playing perfect harmony...
The words you know, the tune has come...because I know...
In your mind's a whirlwind, in your heart a fire.
On your lips a "welcome in", in your hands desire...
To change your world, to live your life: one smile at a time.
One word, one moment, one smile at a time.
One word...one moment, one smile for me.
One life...one voice...one mind, you and I.