SAMPLES
I Say A Little Prayer (Parody Lyrics)
I rewrote the lyrics to this song from the movie My Best Friend's Wedding for a surprise group singalong during a wedding reception. (Check out the bride's reaction on the left of the screen!)
SOLOIST: The moment I woke up, I felt myself start to choke up. I said a little prayer for you. I soon would be heading To Bobbie’s house for a wedding, To see Jakoni say “I do.” Forever and ever may Joni and Jake be oh so happy Together. We treasure the life you will make. It may sound sappy -- Whatever. Forever we wish you the best. Now everybody, please help me with singing the rest! FRIENDS: We’re just so excited To finally have been invited. We say a little prayer for you. UNCLES, AUNTS, COUSINS: As some of the dozens Of uncles and aunts and cousins, We say a little prayer for you. EVERYONE: Forever and ever may Joni and Jake be oh so happy Together. We treasure the life you will make. It may sound sappy -- Whatever. Forever you’ll stay in our heart. A lifetime journey of love, and we’re watching it start. SOLOIST: My darlings, believe me: (Believe me…) Your families are so proud of you. PARENTS, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS: Really, it’s true. And here’s our prayer for you: Plenty of tennis… Love and laughter too! EVERYONE: Forever and ever may Joni and Jake be oh so happy Together (together). We treasure (we treasure) the life you will make. It may sound sappy -- Whatever (whatever). Forever (forever) you’ll stay in our heart. A lifetime journey of love, and we’re watching it start.
A Toast To 2021
This is a rhyming, pun-filled toast for an end-of-year extended family gathering. Each stanza incorporates the names of members of a different family -- and the intro throws in some politics for good measure. (Click on the text to enlarge.)
Something in the Voice I Recognize
This is a pop song from my musical USHER (based on Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"), with book and lyrics by Molly Fox and music by me. This song is performed by Casey Breves, with orchestrations by Stephen Feigenbaum. Our protagonist James has just arrived at the decrepit Usher mansion and hears his long-lost love, Madeline, singing, hidden away somewhere in the house. (Click on the sheet music to enlarge and see full song.)
Songs and Stars
I co-wrote this original song with my husband Philip for our wedding. Here is a short clip of us performing it at our reception (I'm at the keys, Philip is on electric guitar). We're joined by The Bachelor Boys Band and our good friends Emily Bernier and Nick Myers on vocals.
He ran along a winter road each night under the moon. His footsteps kept a steady beat, his breathing was the tune. And round and round the lake he'd go, the stars above, the snow below. For years and years he would run that road alone. You'll find her by the spiral staircase, down the secret hall. Music swirls around her, like maple leaves in fall. She revels in the rarest words, a flock of flame-colored birds, but lately they haven't flown at all. Two searching melodies one day intertwine. Letters strewn on a tabletop finally fall in line. They set out to sea with no compass, no guide, just the night sky as songs and stars Collide. Collide. Songs and stars collide. Light through canopies of green, the river on the run. She's the daughter of summer, and he is winter's son. It's like a long awaited friend. It's like your favorite book's end. It's all of those things to them and none. Two searching melodies, traveling in thirds. Letters strewn on a tabletop finally forming words. They set out to sea with no compass, no guide, just the night sky as songs and stars Collide. Collide. Songs and stars... And almost a decade flies by. They've charted their course and they've sailed the tide. Even after all of this time, when they're side by side, songs and stars... Collide! Collide. Collide. Songs and stars collide.
Where Did It Go?
This is a ballad from my musical THE BOOK OF HOLDING ON, performed by Ashley Wagner and Dana Aber. In this song, a mother and her 13-year-old daughter flip through a family photo album and reflect on how quickly time is passing.
MOTHER: That bicycle you used to ride, with the ladybug bell... You would fly down the street. I was always chasing after you. DAUGHTER: I remember the feel... How the street was so smooth. Anything less than racing felt too slow. MOTHER: Where did it go? Where did it go? I wonder if it's somewhere in the shed. BOTH: Where did it go? Where did it go? MOTHER: I'll take a look once you go to bed. DAUGHTER: That purple polyester shirt with the flowers and swirls! I remember that shirt-- I thought it was so stylish. MOTHER: And the costume you wore for your first Halloween. Why I had you wear that I don't know... Where did it go? Where did it go? It came in one of those old sewing kits. I didn't know quite how to sew. DAUGHTER: I wonder if the ketchup hat still fits. MOTHER: Every story you wrote, every card you received, every picture you drew, I saved them for you. DAUGHTER: I would just like to note: I never believed that a person could be as sentimental as me! MOTHER: I'm as sappy as they come. DAUGHTER: Now I see where I get it from. MOTHER: How did thirteen years go by in the blink of an eye? It's the craziest thing, like time is playing tricks on me. DAUGHTER: I sometimes pretend that I'm still six years old, out making angels in the snow. BOTH: Where did it go? Where did it go? MOTHER: I swear, you were born just yesterday. Where did it go? Where did it go? DAUGHTER: Where good things always seem to go: Away.
The Tortoise and the Porpoise
Here is a rhyming children's poem of mine, aimed at kids ages 4-6. (Click on the text to enlarge and to see the second page.)
Forbidden Love
I had a blast writing lyrics for two songs on Jeremy Cicurel's jazz album, "Forbidden Love." (Check out the full album on Spotify!) I really enjoy writing lyrics to pre-existing melodies. Here is a preview of the very catchy title track.
Late September on the L train on a dreary day, Someone sat down next to me, took my breath away. Eyes that seemed to peer inside me, Smile warm and wide. “I feel like we’ve met,” I said. “Me too,” she replied. And I felt myself falling for her, But I shut it down. Though my heart and mind were calling for her, We could never be together. Late September on the L train, I began to see: Just ‘cause love comes easily Doesn’t mean it’s free. This forbidden love Could never be. She could see me there, falling in love But could not see why I was not prepared for calling it ‘love.’ It bemused her and confused her. Late September on the L train many years ago, Someone came and stole my heart, and I let her go. And I love her still... But she will never know.
Alphabetter
This is a children's poem that won Honorable Mention in Vivian Kirkfield's "50 Precious Words" contest (each submission was limited to 50 words and had to tell a complete story). I thought it would be a fun challenge to write it in alphabetical order -- and back!
ALPHABETTER Benita Can't Dance. Every Footstep Gets Harder. "I'm Just Klutzy Like Mama." Now, Officially Pondering Quitting Rhumba, She Trips. "Ughhhhh!" "Vamos, We'll X-ray You," Zanna Yells. "X-ray? Why?" "Very Useful To See." Rather Quickly, Physician Offers Notes: "Move Less Klutzily: Just Ice." Huge Grin! Finally Enjoying Dance Class, Benita Astounds.
Carbon String
I wrote this pop song as a duet between an adult brother and sister living on opposite coasts. Despite their distance, they share an unbreakable bond -- hence, "carbon string" (a.k.a. carbon fiber), which is extremely strong. Pop songs are so often about romantic love; I thought it'd be fun to write one about sibling love.
SISTER: Late nights, between the children's bedtime cries, I can hear a gentle strumming coming from the California skies. Is that you, playing your guitar inside your studio? Do you have a studio? Guess that's something I should know. BOTH: In and out of touch. Doesn't matter much. Minutes and miles don't mean a thing. Two souls connected by a carbon string. BROTHER: Mornings, while cruising down the boulevard, I can hear a game of "Redlight Greenlight" from a faraway backyard. Is that you, playing with the kids? They're having fun, I bet. Is the baby walking yet? I should know but I forget. BOTH: In and out of touch. Doesn't matter much. Minutes and miles don't mean a thing. Two souls connected by a carbon string. Ever strong, ever tough, never "never enough." Always there when I need. Give a tug, give a shout, if you're ever in doubt. I'll be there when you need, guaranteed. In and out of touch. Doesn't matter much. Minutes and miles don't mean a thing. Two souls connected by a carbon string. Ever strong, ever tough, never "never enough." Always there when I need. Give a tug, give a shout, if you're ever in doubt. I'll be there... Connected by a carbon string.
