Corral
You know the tunes, so you'll provide
the muse. We thought up the corny words, so we'll provide the ic. Lyr-ic
that is. If you're older, think of Homer and Jethro. If you're younger, think of
"Weird Al" Yankovic. While you're at it, try to think of the melody. It'll
be more fun if you can recall how it goes.
Our 11th little ditty is entitled
"I Swat the Flies." I HATE flies! I can't emphasize that enough, but now
that it's spring, they're out in full force. All kinds of bugs and other little nasties
are invading our domicile this time of year. I get to keep that swatter busy for
most of the warm months, but especially in the spring. Well, between swings here's
someting for you to sing. It will help keep those lungs built up, too, so that you
can hollar at the kiddies for leaving that front door open every time they go out
to play. Daggnabbitt!!!
To guide us on our sentimental journey this time is
pesky varmint. Freddy Fly, a quite disagreeable fellow that I must have missed. He's
like one of those old bouncing ball things, you see, only quicker and more agitating.
Here's some interesting trivia for you. This song is based on the Barry Manilow's
hit record, "I Write the Songs," a hit for him in 1975, but written by
Bruce Johnston. Manilow, who had an early gig as Bette Midler's piano player, recorded
his first hit song "Mandy" for Bell Records, which became Arista Records
under Clive Davis. You've probably already heard that "Mandy" was originally
titled "Brandy" and was about a dog rather than a girl. Anyhoo, Bell Records
was the company that released all of those Partridge Family records back in the early
70s. Manilow's main producer was none other than Ron Dante! You may not recall him
by name, but I bet you've heard his voice. He was the Archies! Yep, that was him
on "Sugar, Sugar." He was also the group that had another number one hit
with the Cufflinks called "Tracy." Remember it? There were never any real
groups, by the way. Dante was both the Archies and the Cufflinks--among others.
In those days, the business was built upon a hit single rather than a big group--especially
with what became known as Bubblegum Music.
Now, for those of you who are
still in the dark, may we offer a suggestion? Try calling up your local DJ on a classic
rock station. It probably won't do any good to call a country or NPR one. Talk radio
won't work either. These musical/blab media markets are okay, but they just don't
have the really good stuff. Ask that hepcat daddy to dig into his stacks-of-wax,
or in today's form, fire up the ol' laser beam in that CD player and let 'er sizz.
Once you've got the melody down, be sure to come back and sing along! That's after
you've finished your swatting and hollaring, of course.
Lyrics copyright 2003 by Ron Ferguson.
However, feel free to sing them whenever you get the urge.
Other text and illustrations
copyright 2002-2004 by Ron Ferguson
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