I wrote and first recorded this song in 2009 with my band Late Model Humans and included on our Fallen Angels album. I’m very happy with that version as it shows off the talents of my bandmates nicely. It’s hard to believe that was six years ago. Apparently time flies even when you’re not having fun. I’m in a more solitary place than I was then so this arrangement fits the songs sentiment (which still rings true to me) in a way that better matches my mood. Also, I got a new stompbox with a nice delay that gives the solo arrangement a kick.
The lyric comes from an experience I had waiting for the train to take me to work one morning. I saw a woman on the platform with a sad expression on her face and thought: I bet you’ve got a beautiful smile that you never use. It came together pretty quickly from there.
And here’s the band performing it live at Arlene’s Grocery. There’s a bit of banter first. The song begins at about 1:00:
I bet you’ve got a beautiful smile
That you never use
I bet you’ve walked a thousand miles
In a stranger’s shoes
But I bet I never told you
Just how bad I want to hold you
Close to me
I bet I never told you what
The little things you do can do to me
The little things you do
The little things you do
The little things you do to me
I bet you’ve got a beautiful smile
No one ever sees
So you don’t know how it can
Bring me to my knees
But did you ever wonder
How the spell you put me under
Makes me feel?
Did you ever wonder what
The little things you do can do to me
The little things you do
The little things you do
The little things you do to me
I bet you’ve got secrets
That you never tell
And I bet that you can keep
A secret very well
But I bet you made a promise
To yourself that you’d be honest
So tell me
Is it any secret what
The little things you do can do to me?
The little things you do
The little things you do
The little things you do to me
Words & Music by Mike Power 