I decided to go with a political angle this week, since we're in the thick of the primaries here in the states, and that seems to be where the illusions are most abundant right now. Â I was thinking of this as another folk tune. (can't help it, folk is my favorite)
Who will you be Today?
[V1]
This nation's a wreck, we're in trouble, by heck,
with that rascal in office to blame.
He's squandered our money, he's trashed the environment,
and made all our youth act deranged.
We must vote him out, it's high time we fired him,
What this country needs is a change.
CNN says you're the man, who'll lead us to Canaan,
Yes you know the only true way.
[chorus]
Who will you be today, Mr. Candidate
Who will you be Today?
It's so hard to tell you from your opponent,
You look, talk, and act the same way.
We've a host of problems that could use attention
when you're through with your masquerade.
So won't you tell me please, Mr. Candidate
Who will you be Today?
[V2]
Life's never been better,you're here to tell me,
And I know I have you to thank.
It's because of your policies,and clear-headed judgement,
that I can put gas in my tank.
The jobless have jobs now, the homeless have homes,
the roads that I drive have no toll.
And all that you ask is that I remember
when I make my way to the polls.
[chorus]
Who will you be today, Mr. Candidate
Who will you be Today?
It's so hard to tell you from your opponent,
You look, talk, and act the same way.
We've a host of problems that could use attention
when you're through with your masquerade.
So won't you tell me please, Mr. Candidate
Who will you be Today?
[V3]
You're the great educator, the champion of healthcare,
the general who ne'er saw defeat.
I know your supporters simply adore you,
'cause I've watched them fall at your feet.
You made your hometown what it is today,
and I know I should be impressed.
But in a field of contenders where everyone's Superman,
You're just like all of the rest.
[chorus]
Who will you be today, Mr. Candidate
Who will you be Today?
It's so hard to choose only one from the list
When no one stands out from the fray.
We've a host of problems that could use attention
when you're ready to drop this charade.
So won't you tell me please, Mr. Candidate
Who will you be Today?
Good one Scratch! I dig it. Its got some areas that I stumbled through flow wise but otherwise its quite wonderful. And folk? I don't hear this as folk. Maybe its just the weird side of me but I hear weird overdramatic waltz music and someone shouting through a megaphone Pink Floyd style.
I just lost everyone. Oh well. It works in my head.
Wonderful!
-Marv
Well done, Scratch
I'm actually ready to dig out my banjo on this one! I hear it as kind of a bluegrass-style folk, very quick and rolling along.
If I might add a suggestion (just because I can't resist an internal rhyme or two or three!), I wonder if you might not change this line:
And you're just the man,to lead us to Canaan
to:
CNN says you're the man who can lead us to Canaan
Don't mind me! ;)
Peace
I'm actually ready to dig out my banjo on this one! I hear it as kind of a bluegrass-style folk, very quick and rolling along.
Like you have time for that! ;) Â ...Although, if you were so inclined, I'd be keen to hear it. Â I kind of imagined it that way as well. Â Sort of a John Prine / Pete Seeger style.
CNN says you're the man who can lead us to Canaan
I like that line a lot. Â I'm not sure about the meter, but in addition to the internal rhymes, it fits so well with the topic. Â CNN pretty much becomes the perpetuator (?) of illusions 'round about election time. Â So I changed that line, and tried to make it fit. Â Thanks for the suggestion, David.
Marv -- Overdramatic Waltz I can also see. Â Pink-Floyd style megaphone shouting? Â Hmmm. Â That one will take me a while. Â :D Â A friend of mine has the entire "Dark sid e of th moon" covered by a raggae band, so who's to say. Â Thanks for the encouraging comments, always good to read your views.
-Scratch
All it needs is more exclamation points Im tellin' ya!
-Marv
With apologies to the early reviewers, I've added a 3rd verse, and modified the last chorus a bit. It just seemed not quite finished to me as it was. I know this will make it a "tad longish" for some folks, but what the heck, I am writing to "musos" here so I'm assuming you'll indulge me. Thanks.
dang, I forgot to add the exclamation points. ... Just throw them in where you think they fit. :D
-Scratch
<<dang, I forgot to add the exclamation points. ... Just throw them in where you think they fit. >>
Oh I will Scatch... I certainly will *evil supper villain laugh*
-Marv
And they shouldn't say they're Superman! They ARE Superman.
"In a field of contenders who're all Superman!" (with exclamation point)
Ok. Im totally sitting here bobbing around dramatically banging on my bass and singing this song to the melody in my head.
Someone stop me.
-Marv
And they shouldn't say they're Superman! They ARE Superman.
Yeah, I went back and forth with that line. You're right, I'll fix that.
-Scratch
