‘It's The Little Things’ by Charles Wesley Godwin - Lyrics & Meaning

Charles Wesley Godwin is back and better than ever, marking only his second single since releasing his lauded Family Ties record in September 2023.

The new tune, called 'It's The Little Things,' is the first single from his forthcoming Lonely Mountain Town EP, set for release on February 28.

Showing an even more intimate side to the generational talent from West Virginia, the endearing offering was first teased on the Grand Ole Opry stage late last year as Godwin was honored as part of the Opry NextStage Class of 2024.

Written solely by Godwin, which is a point made across the entire forthcoming project, 'It's The Little Things' features a sparse musical landscape that's utterly brought to life by Godwin's southern-singed warble.

With a bass drum keeping time and a mixture of acoustic guitars and mandolin carrying the tune, Godwin bounds in an out of his falsetto as producer and background singer Al Torrence adds a layer of gorgeous harmony to boot.

It's an almost acoustic sound, which provides a serene setting for the song's meaningful message.

“Big leaps and pauses
The wins and the losses
Can pick you up and knock you down like that
The highs and the lows
And the big things you go for
Ain’t a weight you want to shoulder through your door”

Godwin opens the song by explaining that there are plenty of big things that happen in life, with plenty of wins, losses, bursts of growth and seasons of waiting.

However, so many of us spend our lives letting life's highs and lows determine who we are, what we do and how we feel, often letting the weight of failure or disappointment rest squarely on our shoulders day in and day out.

“A smile and a wave
Go a little out of your way
Or holding a door a second more
A spare dollar from a billfold
It don’t have to be so bold
To make your own red letter day”

Before heading into the chorus, Godwin references "red letter days," which are days of special significant or opportunity. Dating back to medieval days, important dates, festivals and holidays used to be printed in red ink, underlining their significance.

From this stanza, Godwin explains that it really doesn't take much these days to bring about your own red letter days or go out of your way to be kind on days that are otherwise insignificant. It can be as simple as holding open a door, giving a spare buck or two to someone in need or just offering up a smile to someone you pass on the street that makes all the difference.

“It’s the little things
Like that first sip of coffee
Like the sun rising on me
Like the look she gives in the morn
I could go downtown have a little drive around
Cruise these streets to a simple song
It’s the little things for me”

Rather than hanging your hat on the things mentioned in the first verse or living and dying by your failures and successes, the chorus celebrates all of the little things in life that give us joy and purpose.

From a sip of morning joe to watching the sunrise and having a drive about town, there are so many things in this world that go mostly unnoticed but can be the most affirming and life-giving.

"Resting on your laurels ain’t exactly what I mean
Don’t let what you achieve mean everything
It’s not as simple as I say it
And it never hurts to pray it
Don’t sweat the big pay, the big show
All the big things you want most"

Godwin is quick to explain that he doesn't mean to just be content with where you are, though. What he's trying to impart is not let your achievements define you like so many of us do.

Instead, he thinks we should be defined by who we are, how we care for others and the things that we love, rather than a paycheck, a title or other material things the world tries to give value to.

"It’s the little things
Like that first sip of coffee
Like the sun rising on me
Like the look she gives in the morn
I could go downtown have a little drive around
Cruise these streets to a simple song"

While not terribly much has been shared about 'It's The Little Things' thus far, Godwin has offered up some information behind the creation of Lonely Mountain Town and his growth as an artist.

"I’ve learned that I’m at my best when I’m writing and recording songs, so this time around, I was determined, no matter how much I was on the go, to keep pursuing that love of the song and creating," the artist shared on social media.

Godwin added, "I also had the opportunity to collaborate with some of my friends and heroes on these songs, which makes them all the more special. I hope they bring you comfort and joy in the same way they did for me in creating them."

Big leaps and pauses
The wins and the losses
Can pick you up and knock you down like that
The highs and the lows
And the big things you go for
Ain’t a weight you want to shoulder through your door

A smile and a wave
Go a little out of your way
Or holding a door a second more
A spare dollar from a billfold
It don’t have to be so bold
To make your own red letter day

It’s the little things
Like that first sip of coffee
Like the sun rising on me
Like the look she gives in the morn
I could go downtown have a little drive around
Cruise these streets to a simple song
It’s the little things for me

Resting on your laurels ain’t exactly what I mean
Don’t let what you achieve mean everything
It’s not as simple as I say it
And it never hurts to pray it
Don’t sweat the big pay, the big show
All the big things you want most

It’s the little things
Like that first sip of coffee
Like the sun rising on me
Like the look she gives in the morn
I could go downtown have a little drive around
Cruise these streets to a simple song
Like a California red
Or lazy days in bed
Or the sweet things she whispers to me
It’s the little things
Little things like that
It’s the little things for me
Little things
Little things like that

––

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