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“Little Things - Ain’t So Little Anymore”
(C) 2002 by W.L. “Bill” Cooper

I believe I posted a first draft of this one a year or so ago.

Comments appreciated.

Changed it around a little and added a bridge, thought it may help to have the listener wondering if the subject has passed on?

V-1
A cup of coffee by the bed.
Morning paper to be read.
A gentle kiss, a playful smile
Some of the little things that made waking up worthwhile.

The midnight walks along the beach.
You’d scratch the itch I couldn’t reach.
Your hello hugs that goodnight kiss.
It's all the little things that I never knew I'd miss.

Chorus
The little things you’d do for me
are gettin’ bigger everyday.
Little things I couldn’t see
“cause I’d look the other way.
Didn’t know I’d miss ‘em so
until the day I let you go.
The little things I'm longing for
are Not So Little Anymore.

V-2
When two hands were “one-too-few.
I would always count on you.
and everytime I looked I'd see
You and your little things was always there for me.

The night you ask me with a smile.
Darling hold my hand for awhile.
Hand in hand until the dawn.
Not such a little thing when I realized you were gone.

Chorus
The little things you’d do for me
are gettin’ bigger everyday.
Little things I couldn’t see
“cause I’d look the other way.
Didn’t know I’d miss ‘em so
until the day I let you go.
The little things I’m longing for
are Not So Little Anymore.


bridge
Darling hope you’ll wait for me
“cause when my day’s are through
I plan to spend eternity
doin’ little things for you.

Chorus
The little things you’d do for me
are gettin’ bigger everyday.
Little things I couldn’t see
“cause I’d look the other way.
Didn’t know I’d miss ‘em so
until the day I let you go.
Thelittle things I’m longing for
are Not So Little Anymore.



[This message has been edited by Lost (edited 07-22-2003).]

Bill,

A lyric like this shd be read by everyone. Loved the tribute to a loved one. Reminds me strongly of the Little Things Mean a Lot song. So true about those little things we take for granted. That's love. Good luck with the song. Hope it becomes a hit.

Stan

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Having Fun!!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/stanlohmusic.htm

It never ceases to amaze me how similar ideas songwriters have. I have a song in the works that is similar to this. In idea only. Because it's so true. Anyway, this is exceptionally done. Really.

------------------
My sig: Good luck, songwriter! (OPINIONS: Producer regarding The Beatles... "Guitar music is out of style; I'll pass." George Jones: "Yeah, I've recorded a tune called 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' but it's too sad; it won't go anywhere.) And you want MY opinion?

Hi Wirdaz,

Thanks for the read and kind words.

On is what I was going for in that line. Our will work also. thanks.

Yeah this one has been shelved for a year or so, hope to get it ready for demo this time

Regards
Bill

Bill

Great angle. Reflections of a lonely man has been done many times but this has a nice fresh feel with the descriptions of the little things which we all can relate to.

I like this Bill...

"When two hands were one to few
you were right there next to me.
Well I’m sorry now for sure
‘cause little things ain’t little anymore"

Good song I'll be waiting for the music.

Eric

I think your strongest line is.. "the little things aren't so little anymore".

Hundreds of songs have been written about the "little things".. and you've covered most of that so the only truly unique thing is ... that 'THEY AREN'T SO LITTLE ANYMORE"

THAT is wherein lies your HOOK.

Now.. that being said..are you POINTING to your great hook with all the verses. mmm.. maybe.. maybe not.
I think the title should be NOT SO LITTLE ANYMORE for two reasons.
#1.. it peaks your interest.
#2... if you title it "little things" everyone will already assume they know what it's about.. and yawn. (right?)

So now you have to write a lyric that implies... how all the things you THOUGHT were little.. are actually BIG things.

Your first line of the chorus is killer !!! Congrats!!
Your first verse however, I think, needs to be a little more intimate than coffee and newspaper.. let's face it.. its that REALLY what he misses??

I think the listener wants to hear deep intimate details of what is "little" to you... not GENERAL little things.. ya know?

Quirky things.. that NOONE else would ever think to do.

5 creams in my coffee
crispy sides around my fried eggs
the way you gave me the extra pillow
the sound of your voice in my head.

handing me the controller on sunday afternoons during nascar with a wink
(these are not lyrics here.. just thoughts ok?)

So what I would do is list (a very LONG list).. of special things that anyone has ever done for you, (romantic or not) to get your brain going for some very detailed and specific things.
It's makes us as the listener feel like we're eavesdropping (which we LOVE to do)

Always handing me the crossword puzzle first.
Never burning my toast (ok there's only so many FOOD references you can make haha)

the way your arm wrapped around my waist everynight... even after we had a fight.

the way your eyes light up when I've fixed something right ( garbage disposal, car, etc)

the way you always backed me up in a fight (even when I was wrong).

Ok you get the idea.
p.s. if your hook is THEY AREN'T SO LITTLE ANYMORE... perhaps you need a bridge that says why they are BIG things now...
like..

You can't find the remote, your eggs are runny, noone cares that you have a runny nose... and smears vicks on your chest.. ! hahah...

Hope that helps



[This message has been edited by redwriter1 (edited 07-01-2003).]

Hi Lost,

I am jealous that Redwriter has spent time critiquing your lyric. The quality of this critique is first class. I think I've learnt something just reading his review. Thanks Red. Would you do one of mine sometime please?

Stan

------------------
Having Fun!!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/stanlohmusic.htm

Hello Bill. I remember this one from your previous post and that's a good thing. In that version did the loved one die or am I thinking of another lyric??? Anyway, I think this one is very nicely written and agree with Stan on the amazing critique from Red. "Litle Things" is a well done theme but there have been some big hits using it: in recent times, Kenny Rogers and my all time favourite country girl Tanya Tucker.

A real quick story if I may. You're probably too young to remember a song "Little Things" back in the 60's by Bobby Goldsboro. About 5 years ago in a bar in Nashville my husband and I befriended an oldish guy who was pretty down and out and we kept company with him regularly during our stay. Turns out he was the writer of that old song and still collects royalties to this day - so you can never tell. Good luck with it Bill. Cheers, Judy

Hi Stan,

Thanks for the read and kind words

Regards
Bill

Hi DukeWill,

Thanks for looking in.

Yeah the title search on ‘little things” at BMI will bring up 253 songs, a very common subject

Regards
Bill

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the read and kind words

Wouldn’t you know I’m messin’ around with the lines you like

Regards
Bill

Hi Kay lynn,

Thanks for the thoughtful critique, lots of food for thought.

I agree with you on the title. Think I can edit the chorus to work that out..

The idea was to use the GENERAL “Little Things” everyone can relate to. Put to much
focus on the trees and you lose site of the forest.

Made it with my wife for twenty five years. The coffee and paper by the bed with a kiss
and smile was not an everyday thing but it did happen and was a real treat when it did,
and yes I do miss that. Didn’t give it a thought at the time but now wish I had.

The Quirky things.. that NOONE else would ever think to do.best be saved for another
song if you know what I mean

Will see if I can fix it with an edit to the bridge and chorus.

If you look back in, let me know if you think it’s better or worse

Sure appreciate the great critique.

Regards
Bill

Hi Bill!

Excellent Job on this Lyric.

Couplea Line Change Suggestions to smooth it out...Keep/Sweep:

V1, L4: "Some of the little things that made MORNINGS worthwhile"
V2, L4: "It's all those little things that I NOW MISS" {Or "..NOW I MISS"}

Chorus sorty yearns for an extra Syllable in "'Cause I'd (JUST) look the other way"

Your Bridge should kick this UP a Notch..doesn't yet. JMO. Think that Colloquillism is Hyphenated, done Properly: "One-too-few"... First Couplet's fine...Second's just a Rehash.
Maybe something like "I want to grow beyond this loss/But little things stand in the way"

Tag Suggestion: "Those little things that
I ignored...
They're not so little..anymore."

"KUDOS" for an Excellent lyric I enjoyed Messin' With! Good Luck with a Good'n'!

Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

Hi Stan,

I am jealous that Redwriter has spent time critiquing your lyric. The quality of this
critique is first class.

Sure can’t argue with that.

Kay Lynn needs to teach a class and bring in the big bucks with critiques like that

Regards
Bill

Hi Judy,
Thanks for looking in

No , Nobody died in the first draft, but you gave me an idea

Thanks
Bill

Hi Stan,

Thanks for the suggestions and kind words

Regards
Bill

wow Bill... that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!!!! whewwwww

I truly only spend alot of time on a critique when I think the song has great potential and all that is required is for the writer to dig just a little deeper, think outside the "first" thought etc.

but it sure is nice to know that it's appreciated.


p.s. I still stand by my comment that even though I understand why you're trying to making it "general".. in this circumstance we want to hear YOUR little things... we'll all be thinking of "ours" anyway... so I still say you should be very specific (in order to make it sound more intimate).

and don't forget to critique my crap too ok?? LOL

[This message has been edited by redwriter1 (edited 07-04-2003).]

Hi Kay Lynn,

Not being nice, it was a first class critique. So I was just being honest

The only point I disagree with is the (little things).

The reason I don’t think it maters is this song is about what makes little things (NOT SO LITTLE MORE) and don’t focus on the little things themselves.

I do look at your work and left comments on some on board #1 from time to time. Not very good at critiquing myself so I don’t always comment unless I think I have something to offer.

Thanks for looking back in on this one
Bill