Huey Lewis & The News – Small World

Huey Lewis & The News – Small World

Released in 1988 on Chrysalis Records, Small World is the fifth studio album from Huey Lewis & The News, the San Francisco band renowned for their polished blend of rock, pop, soul, blues and R&B. Following the enormous commercial success of Sports and Fore!, the group used this album to broaden their sound, pairing their trademark radio-friendly hooks and punchy arrangements with more varied roots influences and a socially conscious outlook.

The title track frames the album around the idea of a shared world, split into two parts that bookend the record. Its themes of unity and global responsibility give the album a different emphasis from the band's earlier, more straightforward party-rock hits, while retaining the accessible melodies and confident musicianship that made them one of the defining American rock bands of the 1980s.

The standout single “Perfect World” delivers the band's familiar combination of infectious pop-rock songwriting and an optimistic, singalong chorus. Elsewhere, “Old Antone's” draws on blues traditions, while “Bobo Tempo” brings a zydeco-inspired flavour into the band's musical palette. The album also features contributions from the Tower of Power horn section, whose brass arrangements complement the group's tight rhythm section and energetic performances. Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz and musician Bruce Hornsby are among the additional players credited on the record.

Across its ten tracks, Small World balances polished late-1980s production with a willingness to explore beyond conventional arena rock. From the two-part title track and the upbeat melodic appeal of “Perfect World” to the more groove-led selections, it offers a revealing snapshot of a successful American band expanding its musical horizons.

An appealing addition for fans of Huey Lewis & The News, classic 1980s rock and pop, blue-eyed soul, horn-driven rock and the melodic mainstream sound of the era, Small World captures the band at an interesting point in its evolution.

Tracklist

Side A
A1 Small World (Part One) — 3:50
A2 Old Antone's — 4:45
A3 Perfect World — 4:04
A4 Bobo Tempo — 4:35
A5 Small World (Part Two) — 4:05

Side B
B1 Walking With The Kid — 3:57
B2 World To Me — 5:16
B3 Better Be True — 5:17
B4 Give Me The Keys (And I'll Drive You Crazy) — 4:35
B5 Slammin' — 4:31