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copyrighted
by David Rood
except as noted.
Parts of Me Are Excellent (with Mary Crowell and Karen Murphy)
Story
The title comes from a phrase by Ashleigh Brilliant. I thought it would be cool to write a jazz song with that title. Well, I was experimenting with chords, particularly with changing one note a half-step and inverting to see how different it could be. I worked out this chord progression and found it hopeless to put a melody to it. So I sent it to Mary as a challenge, and damn if she didn't do it.
I had a draft of lyrics, which I sent along with the chords. Mary and Karen reworked them into what you see below.
There was one problem remaining: I couldn't sing it. It's from a female point of view. So Mary gets to eat the chords and work the melody, and I just do some muted trumpet licks. Anybody else want to collaborate?
Lyrics
I’m like a symphony written by a deaf man
Listen close honey, then fall asleep humming me
Well I’m out of my head, and you don’t understand
That my heart I’d share, but it’s already there
Parts is not parts; I need to be whole.
Wait ‘til you see what I’ll give for your soul.
Not ev’ry girl can be heaven-sent
I may not be perfect but parts of me are excellent.
You’ve got your melody pulling at my heart-strings
Give me the right cue, so I can be there with you
You’re the one who called me, such a sweet summoning
But we can’t have fun, not until you are done
(chorus)
We’ll be in harmony, playing in the same key
Darling I know you’re drained, but sing me the last refrain
My arms seek your embrace, but they need to be free
You have drawn your line. One more step and you’re mine.
(chorus)
I may not be perfect but parts of me are excellent.
I may not be perfect but parts of me...
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