This is you-know-who wishing the other you-know-who a very happy birthday (for those of you out of the loop, Robin was born 46 years ago on September 22nd in Memphis, TN).
A few weeks ago I began brainstorming what to do for Robin’s birthday. Soap, socks, some flowerpots? Was there anything I could do to surprise this girl after being with her for over 11 years?
And that’s when I got the Bad-Idea-That-Wouldn’t-Leave-Me-Alone:
Why not write Robin a song?
And why not throw in some Spanish rhymes?
And why not surprise her and post it on her blog?
Truth be known, I worked for over a year with some tremendous songwriters in a program called Purple Songs Can Fly. I helped kids at Texas Children’s Hospital come up with ideas for songs and then accompanied them to the hospital studio where Anita and Sandy worked magic. Every week they assisted kids to transform a bunch of raw ideas into polished lyrics, come up with a catchy tune, and record the song right there on the spot.
Unfortunately for Robin, Anita and Sandy didn’t help me with this one.
And, songwriting turns out to be a lot more difficult than I imagined.
And, I haven’t taken Spanish in 25 years.
And…well, you get the idea.
The great news is that I bet Robin never saw this one coming (just like I'm sure she never expected to spend her TWO of her recent birthdays dealing with major hurricanes and their aftermaths). I sure didn't.
Surprise, honey! Happy birthday.
(Feel free to sing along, everybody.)
This is your day
It’s time to play
Hit the highway
In your negligee
Let’s meet for lunch
Etoufee?
I’m glad we share the same abode
And the same postal code
Wanna make me explode?
Wanna have an episode?
Girl, we’re at a crossroad
Give it to me planeload
Truckload, shipload
I don’t care, A la mode
We live in Texas, don’t drive a Lexus
But. We’ve. Got. Love.
Cookin’ on the front stove
Cookin’ on the back stove
Love. Love
The ambiente is caliente
I’ll be your serviente
You be my presidente
Oh, I need some nutriente
I’ll be your recipiente
You be my corriente
Mmmmmm
Girl, I love you
Girl, I need you
Girl, I love you
Girl
You’re an awesome cool chick Mi Corazon is heartsick
You can be my Bolshevik and I’ll be your lunatic
You can brush my cowlick and I’ll be your sidekick
Mamita Grita
Raise the copita
Light the lampita
Set the mesita
Love is infinita
Never ilicita
Come here, bonita
Give me your carita
You were born in Memphis Looking for a good kiss
I came around Faster than a greyhound
Southbound Northbound
Eastbound Westbound
Lost…found
The ambiente is caliente
I’ll be your serviente
You be my presidente
Oh, I need some nutriente
I’ll be your recipiente
You be my corriente
Mmmmmm.
I know we got a hurricane
And it’s drivin me insane
But I want you to know
Our love is not just for show
It’s stronger than the weather
It’s tighter than my leather
We live in Texas, don’t drive a Lexus
But. We’ve. Got. Love.
Cookin’ on the front stove
Cookin’ on the back stove
Love. Love
The ambiente is caliente
I’ll be your serviente
You be my presidente
Oh, I need some nutriente
I’ll be your recipiente
You be my corriente
Mmmmmm.
You’re not a deadbeat
You’re good and sweet
A liitle offbeat
Walkin down the street
Let’s meet for lunch
Veggie, no meat
You’re not as spry as you used to be
But at least you got that poetry degree
And you’ve never had an STD
And you always take your Omega-3
You’ve got arthritis
And some colitis
But no silicone
Not much testosterone
Let’s meet for lunch
Please don’t postpone
Oh, girl you don’t believe in lipstick
But you’re Artistic
Voodooistic
Futuristic
Oh, girl you sharper than a barbed wire
Hotter than a bonfire
Sweeter than a pacifier
Happy birthday
Hemingway
Uruguay
Entrée
Deejay
Bombay
Cinema verite
I know. Don’t worry. I bought Robin the soap, socks, and flowerpot too.
Now it's your turn to share some lovin' with Robin.
