Costs You Nothing (To Be Kind)
Upbeat 1950s rock ’n’ roll swing with clean electric guitar, walking bass, snappy snare rimshots, handclaps, and bright slapback echo. Tempo around 148 BPM. Vocals bright, slightly nasal, vintage mono tone with playful hiccup inflections and tight harmony “sha-la-la” doo-wop backing. Feel-good, toe-tapping rhythm with jangly guitar riffs and short instrumental breaks between verses. Warm analog saturation, classic dance-hall energy, cheerful yet sincere vibe. , guitar, swing, bass, powerful, energetic, melodic, pop rock, beat, catchy, cinematic Male Scottish Accent Deep, Raspy, Raw Emotion, ballad, alternative rock, alternative rock, hip hop
Costs You Nothing (To Be Kind)
Upbeat 1950s rock ’n’ roll swing with clean electric guitar, walking bass, snappy snare rimshots, handclaps, and bright slapback echo. Tempo around 148 BPM. Vocals bright, slightly nasal, vintage mono tone with playful hiccup inflections and tight harmony “sha-la-la” doo-wop backing. Feel-good, toe-tapping rhythm with jangly guitar riffs and short instrumental breaks between verses. Warm analog saturation, classic dance-hall energy, cheerful yet sincere vibe. , guitar, swing, bass, powerful, energetic, melodic, pop rock, beat, catchy, cinematic Male Scottish Accent Deep, Raspy, Raw Emotion, ballad, alternative rock, alternative rock, hip hop
Lyrics
Intro – guitar riff + claps
Hey-hey, mm-mm, yeah
One, two, one-two-three—go
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Verse 1 – 16 bars
I saw a man with a frown downtown,
Kickin’ at a can, just draggin’ around.
Said, “Hey there, mister, life’s too short,
To treat folks mean and come up short.”
He said, “Kindness don’t fill my plate,”
I said, “Boy, hate don’t taste that great.”
He kicked that can, said, “Times are tough,”
I said, “Hard don’t mean you can’t show love.”
The world spins mad, folks cut in line,
Everyone’s busy, wastin’ time.
But slow it down, you’ll find some peace,
A kind word, man, it’s sweet release.
You don’t need fame, or a diamond ring,
Just a little heart in the words you sing.
’Cause every soul’s fightin’ some kind fight,
So shine that smile, make the wrong feel right.
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Chorus
It don’t cost nothin’, no dime, no cent,
To give a little heart, to show a little sense.
You can hold that door, you can smile in line,
’Cause it costs you nothin’—nothin’ to be kind.
⸻
Verse 2 – 16 bars
That waitress spillin’ coffee in haste,
You roll your eyes—man, what a waste.
She’s workin’ doubles, barely sleepin’,
Bills stack high, but she keeps on keepin’.
You tip her good, she’ll flash that grin,
That’s how the good starts comin’ in.
Don’t kick a man when he’s already down,
Raise him up—he might save this town.
We all stumble, yeah, we all trip,
But grace is found in a steady grip.
Hold the line, stand tall, be true,
’Cause the way you act reflects on you.
A thank-you note, a pat on the back,
That’s the kinda change we ain’t lackin’, Jack.
Kindness echoes, spreads like fire,
One spark of good lifts ten men higher.
⸻
Chorus – repeat
It don’t cost nothin’, no dime, no cent,
To give a little heart, to show a little sense.
You can hold that door, you can smile in line,
’Cause it costs you nothin’—nothin’ to be kind.
⸻
Bridge – 8 bars, “sha-la-la” backing
The world’s gone fast, but the heart stays slow,
Good manners never go outta style, you know.
Shake that hand, and don’t be blind,
’Cause love’s the richest thing you’ll find.
You can’t take cash past the pearly gate,
But kindness—yeah, that’s your real estate.
So pass it on, don’t waste your time,
It costs you nothin’—nothin’ to be kind.
⸻
Final Chorus – double tempo
It don’t cost nothin’, no dime, no cent,
You get paid in smiles, it’s heaven-sent.
Be a friend today, leave hate behind,
’Cause it costs you nothin’, nothin’ to be kind.
It don’t cost nothin’, no dime, no cent,
You get love back ten-fold, that’s the rent.
Be the light when the world’s gone blind,
’Cause it costs you nothin’—nothin’ to be kind.
⸻
Outro – guitar riff & hiccup vocal
Mm-hm, woo
Be kind, baby
(It don’t cost you nothin’, no, nothin’ at all