Released 1987 (New Zealand) Recorded 1987 Length 4:29 | Format 7" Genre Reggae Label Warrior | |
"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.
Contents
Background
"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", that Herbs had recorded with Dave Dobbyn, meant that they held back the release of "Sensitive to a Smile" and the album.
Music video
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 future Once Were Warriors director Lee Tamahori.
Track listing
- "Sensitive to a Smile"
- "Station of Love"
Awards and critical acclaim
At the 1987 New Zealand Music Awards the single won best video and Charles Tumahai and Dilworth Karaka best songwriter. In 2001, the song was voted 80th most popular New Zealand song as part of the APRA Best New Zealand Songs of All Time.
Aotearoa Reggae All Stars version
In June 2013 a cover version of "Sensitive to a Smile" was released on iTunes by the Aotearoa Reggae All Stars, a supergroup of New Zealand reggae artists. It debuted at #2 in the Official New Zealand Music Chart singles chart, and at #1 in the Official New Zealand Music Chart New Zealand singles chart. The single re-entered the New Zealand chart in February 2014 at number 30.
The song was released as a charity single, with proceeds benefiting the violence-free parenting advocacy charity Mana Ririki. The project was conceived by Avina Kelekolio of Tomorrow People and Rio Panapa of Sons of Zion. The group features Sons of Zion, Tomorrow People, Three Houses Down, House of Shem, Ria Hall, Majic Paora, Che Fu, Katchafire, 1814, Chad Chambers, NRG Rising and Tasty Brown.
The single release was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes documentary broadcast on Māori Television.
Hollie Smith version
In 2008, to celebrate the song's 20th anniversary, Herbs' 30th anniversary and the release of their career best-of album, New Zealand singer Hollie Smith recorded a version of the song with the Mount Roskill Primary School choir. The song peaked at number 33 in the New Zealand singles chart. The song was included on Herbs' 2008 best-of album Lights of the Pacific - The Very Best of Herbs.