Saturday, August 24, 2013

Week 86 - "The Pet Peeve Quartet - Reprise"

This is a demo of "The Pet Peeve Quartet - Reprise" by August Mergelman and me for our musical "The Great American Musical."  The reprise takes place in a flashback to the early days of Broadway, hence the Tin Pan Alley style with the Beguine in the bridge and the old record sound at the beginning.


Lyrics:
He's just someone from the past.
That new act will never last.
I hate the way that girl can get to me.

I hate the way that he can cower.
She waits within her ivory tower.
I sigh hour after hour.
I hate the way that boy can get to me.

The feeling is so great
That I can't concentrate
On whatever it was that I was doing.

I'm helpless and it seems,
He's even in my dreams.
I'm just a horse that needs re-shoeing.

I think he has a lot of nerve.
I hope she gets what she deserves.
I love the way that girl can get to me.

I wish that he would take a stand.
I wish that he would take my hand.
I think love could be so grand.
I hate the way that girl can get to me.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Week 85 - "The Great American Musical"

This is the title song of the musical I'm working on with August Mergelman.


This is the great American musical.
Yes, it's the great American show.
There'll be singing and dancing
And laughs and romancing
And songs that we all will come to know,
That you'll be singing in the shower.
It's the great American musical
Here on the great American stage.
We are here to entertain,
But not to tax your brain,
So you'll enjoy no matter what your age.

So grab a chorus girl and sway,
And you can dance the night away,
Although the men are mostly gay,
The audience won't make a peep,
They'll just suspend their disbelief.

So join us at the show
And invite everyone you know,
And if you could donate some dough,
'Cause in this economy the arts are first to go.

This is the great American musical
And what a great diversion it is.
Such a wonderful feeling
That will leave you reeling
And wishing that you were in the biz,
So you'd be basking in the spotlight.
It's the great American musical,
So come forget all your worry and strife.
No, you never can go wrong,
So join the dance and song,
And celebrate a true red, white, and blue American life!


Monday, August 12, 2013

Week 84 - "Compulsory Blue Note Song"

This is a song I wrote for the "Great American Musical" project.


Lyrics:
You think it's really white at the start of the song,
and then a sudden blue note tells you you're wrong.
You must have a compulsory blue note song!

It starts out really straight and so you don't know
Just exactly where this music will go.
You must have a compulsory blue note song!

You never saw it coming 'til
They threw that blue note in your face.
Even when you've learned it still
It kind of sounds a bit out of place.

So throw the rules of musical taste.
Cannot let this soulful groove go to waste.
You must have a compulsory blue note song!

(Neutral syllable/scat break)

You must have a compulsory blue note song!
Every musical has a compulsory blue note song!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Week 83 - "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" - parody

This is my parody of Bob Merrill's song, "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?"


Lyrics:
Ch.
How much is that doggie in the window?
He is really strong, I can tell.
How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie's for sale.

v.1
I've heard there've been burglars in my neighborhood.
I must draw a line they can't cross.
So I need to buy a doggy that would
Show those witless cretins who's boss.

Ch.
How much is that doggie in the window?
Those huge teeth are fierce, I can tell.
How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie's for sale.

v.2
I want him to have spikes on his collar
I want him to strike hearts with fear.
I think that I'll buy me that Rottweiler.
So all are afraid to come near.

v.3
My neighbor has got the most annoying cat,
He leaves his mark in my flower bed.
I guess from now on we'll see about that,
'Cause "Killer" will rip him to shreds.

Ch.
How much is that doggie in the window?
The one that's as scary as hell.
How much is that doggie in the window?
I do hope that doggie,
I do hope that doggie,
I do hope that doggie's for sale.