Saturday, May 25, 2013

Week 73 - "The Reckoning"

This week's song has a folk-like melody, which alternates with blues-style improvisation.


Once a baby boy was born
And his parents soon could tell
That they'd raise him to see heaven
And to fear the gates of hell.

As the years flew swiftly by
This young man would never know
If the things he said and did
brought damnation to his soul.

When the years came to completion
He would close his eyes and see
What his thoughts and what his deeds
Finally reckoned him to be.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Week 71 - "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"

This is the theme song to the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" cartoon, in a jazz lounge style.  Not an original composition of mine, but a creative arrangement.


Lyrics:
Do you ever feel blue and green at the same time?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power.

They're the world's most fearsome fighting team (They're really hip!)
They're heroes in a half-shell and they're green (Hey - get a grip!)
When the evil Shredder attacks
These Turtle boys don't cut him no slack!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Splinter taught them to be ninja teens (He's a radical rat!)
Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines (That's a fact, Jack!)
Raphael is cool but crude
Michaelangelo is a party dude.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half shell
Turtle power.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Week 70 - "Mama"

This song is sung by a son to his very unfortunate mama.




Lyrics:
D  A/C#  Bm  G
Mama, there's so many things I want to thank you for
D  A/C#  E   A
I know sometimes it was kind of hard
D  A/C#  Bm  G
I know my brothers and I were always pretty ornry ones.
D  A/C#  E   A
Heaven help you if you ever dropped your guard.

Bb    F
Do you remember the time
Gm     Dm
When I was eight years old
Eb    Bb
I set fire to the living room rug
C   F
And I can't forget the look on your face.
Bb   F
Then you picked up the rug
Gm  Dm
And you smothered the flames.
Eb  Bb
The second degree burns would heal up in time
C                          F           Bb      A
But the memory still has a place in my heart.

D  A/C#  Bm  G
Mama, I know that we could be rough on you
D  A/C#  E   A
I'm sure our antics made you kind of sick.
D  A/C#  Bm  G
And I'm sure my brothers and I are the ones to blame
D  A/C#  E   A
That you developed that nervous tic.

Bb    F
Do you remember the time
Gm     Dm
On a Saturday
Eb    Bb
You took a nap in the afternoon
C   F
My brothers and I cut off all your hair.
Bb   F
You woke up in a rage
Gm  Dm
So we ran and hid
Eb    Bb
You only wore a wig for a year,
C                        F           Bb       A
But the memory is always there in my heart.


D  A/C#  Bm  G
Mama, I know that the years had to take their toll
D  A/C#  E   A
And I know we never took it easy on you
D  A/C#  Bm  G
One day, the men in the white coats took you away.
D  A/C#  E   A
Don't worry, Mama, we'll always come to visit you.

Bb    F
Do you remember the time
Gm     Dm
We got those BB guns
Eb    Bb
We ran around the house
C   F
And shot all the windows out.
Bb   F
I wonder if that was the day
Gm  Dm
WE pushed you over the edge.
Eb    Bb
In fact, when I think back,
C   F   Bb
There isn't any doubt in my heart.