News
Schedule
CDs
Lyrics
Links

All songs
copyrighted
by David Rood
except as noted.

Back to the Old Writing Board


Story

Every time I hear one of those famous quotes like "Heavier than air aircraft are impossible" I think of Wile E. Coyote, charred and staggering, sighing resignedly and saying...

Musically, I was imitating the guitarist from my jazz trio who plays a running baseline under chords and lead. It isn't easy, but I've learned a little about how he does it.

And a side note on the first verse: there are so very many bad pickup lines to choose from. I almost went with "So; you ever been to... Alaska?" And I often change it on the fly.

The extended rhyme in the break strain was inspired by songs from "Doonesbury: The Musical" (no kidding).

The most important thing, what sells it, is a heartfelt grimace after each quote.

Lyrics


She was so attractive and I liked her style
I found it easy to make her smile
We talked and talked; things were going fine
Oh why, oh why did I try my new line?

..."You're a girl. I like that in a woman."

(Chorus)
Oh for the gift of gab
Oh to find the right words
But every time I try I stumble
Back to the old writing board

If there's money involved I'll face danger and be cool
Weapon in hand, escape at the ready; I'm nobody's fool
I found my way in, I can find my way out
Oh why, oh why did I open my big mouth?

..."Uhh, minor weapons malfunction. Everybody's OK here. We're all fine here, thank you. How are you?"

(chorus)

You can change the course of history
Just learn to speak persuasively
Evoke emotion ardently
Present ideas invasively
Be a captain of industry
Or sit at home in misery
Wishing to speak eloquently
But all my rhymes are... bent... ly

I built this company on skill and a dream
Invented a new discipline of engineering
Changed the world and made a fortune too
Oh why, oh why did I do that interview?

..."640K of RAM ought to be enough for anybody."

(chorus)


Lyrics index

Main page