Week 67 - "The Curtain Never Falls"

This is another song for the new musical project.  Lyrics are by August Mergelman.

Lyrics:
There are curtain calls,
But no curtain falls
When you know you are the star.
Though it's true that you
Wait a year or two
For your next cue,
Your dream will take you far.

Though you hear applause,
There's never a pause,
When you know you are the star.
Though the play is played,
And spotlights fade,
Your dream has stayed.
Your dream will take you far.

You're among your friends.
The tune never ends,
When you are, each one, a star.
In the wings, you linger,
And you sing.
Your echoes ring.
Your dreams will take you far.

Week 66 - "If I Could Be Your Man"

Here is an original humorous song, partially inspired by Bruno Mars' "Grenade" and "When I Was Your Man."

Lyrics:
Baby, I wrote this song, because I don't think you understand
The sort of messed up things I'd do if I could be your man.
You wouldn't believe just how obsessed I am for your to wear my ring.
I'm perfectly capable of doing lots of disurbing things.

I'd throw myself in front of a bus in the middle of the interstate.
If you want to go alligator hunting, I'll use myself as bait.
I would drink a bottle of Liquid Plumber, if you just asked me to.
That's the sort of disturbing things I would do
 If I Could Be Your Man

Baby, how long will it take for you to say those sweet words to me?
Whisper in my ear, "The restraining order was just a formality."
I know that I may seem unhinged, but that's the way I feel for you.
I hope it doesn't creep you out, this list of things that I would do.

I'd cut out my kidneys if you ever need an emergency transplant.
If you asked me, I'd cover my body in sugar and roll around in fire ants.
I would put your social security number on my body as a permanent tatoo.
That's the sort of disturbing things I would do
 If I Could Be Your Man

If it would turn you on I'd drive off a cliff in my SUV.
I'd set my hair on fire if you'd say that you loved me.
I'd let myself be mangled by tigers in a cage at the city zoo.
That's the sort of disturbing things I would do
 If I Could Be Your Man

That's the sort of disturbing things I would do
 If I Could Be Your Man

Week 65 - "Elegy for Aaron"

This elegy is my tribute to Aaron Markarian.  Even though I only knew him for slightly more than a year (from the summer before to the summer after his freshman year in high school), his enthusiasm, talent, and work ethic in music and theatre left a lasting impression on me.  Even more importantly, he was a kind and gentle young man who treated people well.  He will be missed.

Week 64 - "Pretty Average Woman"

This is a parody of "Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees.  It is a satire of how so much of popular music equates love almost entirely with physical attraction, putting good looks on a pedestal above personality, integrity, and other infinitely more important qualities in a person.  It is sung from a perspective of a pretty average man wooing a pretty average woman.

Lyrics:
Pretty average woman, walking down the street
Pretty average woman, the kind I often meet
Pretty average woman
Darling, do you know that it's true
So many girls are just like you
Meh

Pretty average woman, won't you pardon me
Pretty average woman, I couldn't help but see
Pretty average woman
That you're wearing the same sweats today
You were wearing just yesterday.
Eww

Pretty average woman, at the mall
Pretty average woman's not that tall
Pretty average woman, her clothes all come from The Gap.
Pretty average woman, has those days where.
Pretty average woman, doesn't do her hair.
Pretty average woman, so she wears a baseball cap.
But who am I to judge the things you do?
The truth is, baby. I'm pretty average, too.

Pretty average woman, I'm so intrigued
Pretty average woman, 'cause you're not out of my league.
Pretty average woman, I'm willing to settle for you...okay
If that's the best I can do, okay
I guess it's going to be my fate.
I'll get used to ball caps, but wait
What do I see?
She put her hair in a ponytail for me.
Yeah, she put her hair in a ponytail for me.
Oh, oh, Pretty average woman

Week 63 - "Going to the Moon"

My daughter Holly helped me write this one.  She sings on it, too.

Week 62 - "Made in the Shade"

"Made in Shade" was created using several different sounds on the Roland RD-600 keyboard.  It is primarily instrumental with an improv line on the lead synth part.  There is a short vocal hook repeated at the end.

Lyrics:
You've got it made in the shade
For all the plans that you've made
You've got it made in the shade
For all you've hoped and prayed

Week 61 - "Pet Peeve Quartet"

"Pet Peeve Quartet" from the new musical project - lyrics by August Mergelman and music by Samuel Stokes.

Lyrics:
I hate the way he snaps his fingers.
i love the way her perfume lingers.
I hate the way that girl can get to me.
I can't wait until he grows up.
I hate the way she sticks her nose up.
Oh that ego, I might throw up.
I hate the way that boy/girl 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.
My composition needs re-gluing.

I think he has a lot of nerve.
I hope he/she gets what he/she deserves.
I love the way that girl can get to me.
I hate the fact that she's so honest.
He thinks he is the next Adonis.
I wish love would smile upon us.
I hate the way that boy/girl can get to me.