The Real World

[whataguy]

I asked Kevin if I could post some “lyrics” from one of the writing gigs I did at the jingle house where I’m employed.

A middle aged guy came in one day with a business card that read: K__ S_____, “The Frank Sinatra of Japan.” (Ooookaaaay….) He had English lyrics to about 14 original songs that he wanted put to music for his upcoming CD. Since I was the only native English speaker working there, I unluckily got the nod. I asked him if he wanted the lyrics proofread. “No,” he answered. I then asked him if I could arrange the lyric to accommodate a melody. “NO!” he answered emphatically. The Frank Sinatra of Japan” told us he was, once upon a time, president of his very prestigious university's English club and was teaching English at his own private English school at the time. Naturally, he was very proud of his English ability, so he gave me explicit instructions not to change his English in any way because “he, an expert, checked it and was very satisfied.”

Here’s one of the tunes that didn’t make it onto the CD. As you can see, the lyrics have no rhyme, nor rhythm, nor meaning.

Welcome to the “real world.”

Anyone want to try putting this to music? Who knows? It could be fun.


Lifework or Breadwork?

(spoken)
Hi, how are you doing?
What do you do?
You know, I mean for a living?
Well, it’s not easy to get lifework.

(sung)
Is lifework your dream?
Maybe it’s true.
When you’re in your early 20’s and mediocre,
You’ve got to choose breadwork.
But once you get paid better you might be able to seek a dream.
That is your lifework.
Breadworking is like your girlfriend
Lifeworking is like your better half.
To overcome this hurdle you’ve got to work harder.

Is lifework still far?
Maybe it’s correct
When you’re in your late 40’s and not a hard worker,
You’ve got to be mediocre.
But once you’ve had a chance or luck,
You may be able to change drastically.
That is your lifework.
Breadworking is a routine life.
Lifeworking is attractive and exciting
To overcome this hurdle you’ve got to work harder.

Lifework or breadwork?
It depends.
But as long as you do your best
You can change your trade from breadwork to lifework in the end.
Lifework or breadwork?
It depends.
It depends on you in the last.

Good luck.
Have good luck.
Have good luck.

[steve]

I won't argue with rhyme or rhythm, but I'd definitely say there's a meaning here.

[whataguy]

Yeah, semantically, there is, and there definitely is some heartfelt meaning in those words for "Frank". However, after working with him for an entire year, I questioned everything . . . including my sanity.

[whataguy]

Doesn't look like I've got any takers on this challenge. Oh, well, I've got an entry in the jukebox.

The reason why this tune wasn't chosen for the client's CD was because of the unsubtle jibe in the instrumental bridge which was based on Ring a Ring 'o Roses, or Ring a Round of Rosies... or whatever the tune's called. I was surprised the "Frank Sinatra of Japan" got that because most of the musicians working on the CD did not. Anyway, "Frank" got angry, we all had a laugh, and the tune was relegated to Unrequited Demo Land and has been there ever since.

[steve]

I like it :-)

I don't think the lyrics are much worse than half the crap that makes it to the radio these days.

BTW, I accidentally got it playing simultaneously in two different tabs, completely out of synch of course, and it sounded even better... Whatever :-))

[steve]

FWIW, I know the tune as "Ring around the Rosie". As I understand it, it comes from the time of the Black Plague.

Ring around the Ros[ery].
Pockets full of Posie [poison - the toxin filled sacs that developed in the lymph areas of the bodies of the infected.]
Ashes Ashes [the burning of the bodies in the hopes of stopping the spread]
We all fall down [well, around a quarter to a half of everyone in Europe did fall down...]

Have a great day all! ;-)

[Kevin]

When you read the lyrics (if you can really call them that) I find it quite amazing that you managed to write anything to that never mind the excellant job that you did!