My parents told me that when I was little my favorite song was "Sing" by the Carpenters. I like the Carpenters, and Karen Carpenter's voice was beautiful, but "Sing" is one of their least impressive numbers. It's kind of goofy, as are most songs that are about songs. I cite, as examples, "I Write the Songs" by Barry Manilow, "There'll Be Sad Songs (to Make You Cry)" by Billy Ocean and "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" by Elton John. I remember someone saying it would be particularly hard for a person with a lisp to sing that Elton John one. By the way, this is the 3rd time I have written about music on my blog, and of the nine songs I have referenced, four have parentheses in the title. I didn't realize that was so common. There is an apparent gene in my family, particularly on my dad's side, that causes us to spontaneously make up songs about every day occurrences. For instance, I have made up various songs about dogs, cleaning and wanting my house to be free of roaches. Sometimes the tune is set to an actual song, making my version a parody. Other times, I compose both lyrics and music on the spot.
My dad makes up songs all the time, and I understand from my cousin Randy's wife that Randy does this often, too. One of the best songs my dad ever composed was about a Christmas present he gave my mom--a set of 4 drinking glasses. It was an odd gift and Mom was not impressed. After she conveyed her lack of enthusiasm, Dad starting singing, to the tune of the "The 12 Days of Christmas":
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . (dramatic pause) . . . a glass.Then he used the part of the song where you would count down, like "Four calling birds, three french hens" but instead he sang:
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . a glass.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . a glass.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . a glass.
Wuh-uh-uhn glassMom couldn't stay mad about the present .
Wuh-uh-uhn glass
Wuh-uh-uhn glass
Wuh-uh-uhn glass
And the box it ca-a-ame in!
