It was called “Smith and Smith”.
He may be best know for his role as Red Green hanging out with his buddies at Possum Lodge, but I will always remember Steve Smith as one half of the duo “Smith and Smith”.
The much better half was Morag Smith, Steve’s wife, and the singer of that moving song.
Before Global went national
Channel 7 may currently be part of the Global television network. Back in the ‘80s it was an independent station affiliated with other independent nations across the country, including some original Global stations down east.
Channel 7 may currently be part of the Global television network. Back in the ‘80s it was an independent station affiliated with other independent nations across the country, including some original Global stations down east.
That meant they were not a network per se like Global is now, with a uniform brand, design, and programming. However, they did share shows. In essence, they were syndicated.
One of the shows Channel 7 aired on Saturday nights was “Smith and Smith”, sketch comedy made at the CHCH-TV station in Hamilton.
The show
Every episode started with an old-time announcer, off-screen, announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, Smith and Smith.”
Every episode started with an old-time announcer, off-screen, announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, Smith and Smith.”
Steve and Morag Smith would be at a microphone and start singing this song, “Don’t Let it Get You Down.” Each week, the chorus of “Don’t let it get you down” would be the same, but the verses would consist of references to the skits in the upcoming episode.
The show would feature all kinds of skits with the Smiths donning various costumes. What I remember more than anything was the chemistry the two of them had.
They played off each other perfectly.
As funny as the show could be, and it really was, there was something else that was my favourite part.
It is something that still sticks with me.
Closing number
At the conclusion of each episode, the Smiths were back in the formal attire they wore at the beginning.
At the conclusion of each episode, the Smiths were back in the formal attire they wore at the beginning.
Then Morag Smith would launch into this beautiful ballad that began. “Bad luck, heartache, losing but too tired to fight…”
Steve would soon chime in and it would be over almost as soon as it began. It was maybe a minute long, if that.
It really wasn’t even a song, but a piece of a song.
Yet, it was so powerful and resonated with me.
When my brother left for college, he left behind this big, blocky tape recorder, with a microphone. I used it to tape quite a lot of stuff off the TV, like theme songs.
One of the songs I taped was this one from “Smith and Smith”. I remember holding the microphone right up to the speaker of this old colour television that still sits in my garage.
The song meant that much to me.
Parting thoughts
It’s funny how perceptions can change, and quickly. “Smith and Smith” had been on for years on Channel 7, and I never gave it a look.
It’s funny how perceptions can change, and quickly. “Smith and Smith” had been on for years on Channel 7, and I never gave it a look.
For whatever reason, which is lost to the mists of time, I watched it once and, after that, it became regular viewing.
I am not sure if it is the reason, but that song at the end of the show sure was a drawing point.
I’m actually humming it right now.
Even though Red Green actually started on “Smith and Smith”, for me, what I will always remember is that song.
After all, the wisdom in the song is sound:
“If you take care of someone who loves you, then everything will turn out right.”
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