Now that I’m living with my new roommate, Amadeus, a musician and a prolific songwriter, I notice that lately I’ve been thinking in tunes. It’s really rather cool, because while I’m a lousy poet, I find that when I compose to the little ditties in my head, I can cram a whole bunch of words into a small sentence, and I don’t even have to rhyme. It’s gotten to be a crazy pastime. I wake up in the morning with a groggy idea in my head, and soon it’s become an entire bad song. Most of them are country tunes, even though I don’t usually even like country music (though there are a bunch of exceptions). This may be because the ideas and the tunes can be corny and simple and goofy and it’s quite all right. Country music fans are more forgiving of these things, I think, as evidenced by the success of Billy Ray Cyrus’ Achy Breaky Heart.
It’s gotten so bad that this morning, as I was taking my client to his job, I saw a dead squirrel on the side of the road and immediately started singing this in my head:
Little dead squirrel, little dead squirrel,
Lying on your back with your belly toward the world.
Which, by the time I got home, became this:
Little dead squirrel, little dead squirrel,
Lying on your back with your belly toward the world.
I can see that you used to be a girl,
Little dead squirrel, little dead squirrel.
Did you get run over by a mini van?
Did you get attacked by a Doberman?
You’re a stiff little part of God’s big plan,
And you’re headed for the Promised Land.
See? Genius, huh? I can’t believe that I’m just now finding my life’s calling, but I’m definitely considering a career change. Amadeus is teaching me to play guitar, and as soon as I learn more than a c-chord, I’m planning to head back to Nashville. I think I can really make a go of it there this time.
I don’t think a squirrel has ever been sent off into the afterlife with a lovelier testament. This is a touching and odd song; I was moved by it; really! I know the mindset it takes to be a musician, especially a composing one (old musicians never die, they just decompose) (groan) and you clearly have what it takes. Congratulations on your upcoming career change! {{waves}} to Amadeus.
Thanks, Muse. You are so sweet. Actually, I thought the song was really pretty dumb. I’ve been singing it for two days and making myself laugh, though I’m about the only one who seems amused. Maybe you have to hear it to appreciate how bad it is. Amadeus and I are discussing posting the song by phone, but my voice is really hoarse right now. We’ll see how it goes.
I’m guilty of such antics myself. I actually vocalize mine as they come to me, and luckily Bunny isn’t too disapproving. Mostly I reword well known tunes, but I’ve been know to come up with some from scratch. Don’t worry, I’m no real competition for you.
Glad to see you back at the keyboard, Moonbeam.
I do that lyrics changing thing too, Mr. P- it’s so much fun! I was really kidding about a career change- I’m already impoverished enough as it is.
Good to see you too!!
I only change the lyrics because I don’t know the real words to any songs.
That and it’s fun. 
Who needs the real words any ways. 
I agree! You have to have something that goes with the tune, and if you don’t know the “real” lyrics, just fill in your own. Works for me!
poor ‘lil squirrel
poor ‘lil squirrel
what a world what a world!
only wanted ta cross the street
not this untimely end to meet
to sleep, perchance to dream
and last gazed upon
by a moonbeam
Thoughts 0 Dave,
Thoughts 0 Dave,
Thanks for the poem
’bout my little rave
regarding critters on the pave
(ment).
Long may you wave,
Long may you wave,
You’ve no idea how much it meant,
I think you must be heaven
sent.
(I seriously love this! Thank you!)
MM…those song lyrics are waaaay better than some on the airwaves at present time. I have a tendency to take a perfectly good song and insert funny or filthy words. Trailerparkskipper said that I have totally ruined a couple of songs that she really liked. When she was younger, she liked that song, When Wishes Come True…I think by Debbie Gibson or Tiffany…who cares…they were all little mall singing pop goddesses. Anyway, I kept singing, “When bitches chase you” and TPS became quite upset with me for ruining that one for her.
Love your song lyrics!
I am sooo glad to see you here (((TBP))). I imagine that I’d be much more entertained by your renditions of those pop songs than the originals– in fact I’m sure of it.
[…] thought it was pretty swell for an amateur, much better than “Little Dead Squirrel.” By the time my hubby got home, I’d finished. I was overjoyed, because although it had […]