“Sensitive to a Smile” is a single from the New Zealand reggae band Herbs from the album of the same name. The single charted at #9 in New Zealand.
“Sensitive to a Smile” was written by Dilworth Karaka and Charlie Tumahai with American poet Todd Casella, who had moved to New Zealand and was a fan of the band. Karaka calls it “very much a family song”.
The song and album was originally set to be released in 1986, but the success of the song “Slice of Heaven” they performed with Dave Dobbyn meant that they held back the release of the song and the album,
The video was made in Ruatoria so that the band could give support to the Rastafarian protests happening in the area. The video was shot by Once Were Warriors director Lee Tamahori.
Sensitive To A Smile by Herbs Lyrics
There comes a time in everyone’s life
No room for mistrust, no room for hate
Open up your heart, don’t look away
Quality in life that’s hard to find
Like a child with an open mind
Tenderness, sensitive to a smile
CHORUS
Beautiful children have come into my life
Beautiful people, oh young and bright
Beautiful children, longing for life
Worldly people, take away the night
These are the feelings from our hearts
There’s no trade for love and affection
Love for me and love for you
So make a stand and hold your ground
And maybe the world will turn around
Peace and love and harmony
CHORUS
Beautiful children have come into my life
Beautiful people, oh young and bright
Beautiful children, longing for life
Worldly people, take away, take away, take away
Moving out in love together
We will never shed no tears
Love for them is love for all
