Happy Birthday, Other Mother!

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.

Comments

[FranMag]

Great song Marcia! Happy Birthday Robin! Hope you have a wonderful day despite the storm aftermath.

[Tracey]

For songwriting I usually just commandeer a tune and make up my own words, the ruder the better, but that wouldn't be at all appropriate for a birthday.
This is just magic Marcia!

Happy Birthday Robin!

[domi]

Now that's true love.
Eres la mejor Marcia!! Happy birthday Robin!!

[Joanne]

Song Rocks! Robin - I know you must be fire Hot to inspire such raw creativity. Much Amor y un abraso mi amiga.

[cake]

robin, there is nothing anyone could say or do to top that beautiful gift from your sweetheart. your a very lucky woman, and, i think you know it.
hope your day is fun.
love,
cake

[Robyn]

now THAT is a love song! i'm dying laughing here! good thing your power came back on! happiest of birthday wishes Robin!

[cake]

i mean YOU'RE, not YOUR. i know you literary types can be annoyed by such things, so i assure you, it was a typo.
heart.

[David]

Hey Ya'll-
Robin--Much love on your birthday.
Marcia--love the rap.

Ya'll stay dry and cool, as best you can.
Be well,
David

[N]

Happy birthday! What more could one ask for than a present like that?

[glenda dafft]

Oh my gosh, Robin you have a happy happy birthday and Marcia, you go girl!!!!!

[Matilda]

First - Robin, have a great birthday!
And then:
WOW! What a song! I would be soooo happy if that was my present. Marcia - you're great!

[susan]

girl- feliz cumpleanos. that song is hot! i am feeling the luv and the beat. what a lucky birthday girl you are. thinking of you on this beautiful day, sending you lots of birthday wishes. here's to a year of good health, joy, and a lot o luv.
take care and enjoy your day.
love,
susana baby

[Christeen]

Happy birthday. Hope you have a great day!

[Ray C]

Happy Birthday dear Robin! And what a glorious day to celebrate life...he first day of fall....the beginning of the coloring of creation...a sign of creativity....of beauty...of you....Love love, love, Ray (your father-in-love)

[Ray C]

Happy Birthday dear Robin! And what a glorious day to celebrate life...he first day of fall....the beginning of the coloring of creation...a sign of creativity....of beauty...of you....Love love, love, Ray (your father-in-love)

[Long]

Happy Birthday! Wishing you many happy days....

[Denise]

Hi Robin - Happy birthday from Ohio!! (A little bird told us it was your birthday.) It's great to see the family doing so well - and the girls getting so big! I'm facing 46 in just a few months - please tell me it's fun age :)
Take care.
Love Yvonne and Denise

[Max Schulman]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT ROBIN!!!!! Hope you have a great day. Great singing Aunt Marcia!!!! Tell the kids hi for me

[Martha chamberlain]

The WORLD never imagined what would come of that girl born on this day! We're all better for having YOU in our lives . . . between your poetry and Marcia's rap . . . well, once again, I'm speechless! I know those littlest girls are celebrating their other mother's BEING. Happy, happy day, and the best year you've EVER known! Love from the mama-in-law that likes to say: "mother-in-love" with Robin and family!
P.S. You are SO young . . . really! I don't even remember that age!

[Julie Phineas]

Awwww! Happy birthday!!

[Beth Chamberlain]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OTHER MOTHER. I'll listen for Marcia singing on the radio. What a wonderful idea. Hope you had a wonderful day.

[Vikki]

Happy happy birthday!

And...um...a negligee, huh? I didn't know you were the type.

[Marcia]

Just to set the record straight, Vikki, "negligee" is code in grrrville for "boxer shorts."

[elswhere]

Happy happy birthday! What a truly fabulous (and hot) song! Wow. Hmm. It is inspirational. Good thing RW's birthday isn't for a while, so I have lots of time to think...

[anniem]

Oh, God you made my day. I'm sure you did for Robin, too. But what do you have against lipstick? Works for pigs, works for me.

Happy birthday, family!

[julie]

Luvved the rap!

HBD, doll! Did you get the bass serenade I posted to facebook?

[Pixie]

That was the sweetest thing ever- and so FUNNY!

Great birthday idea!!!

Happy Birthday Robin!

[Cortney Martin]

Happy birthday (again), Robin!

Awesome song, Marcia. That is one heck of a gift - and I mean that in a good way!

[Rachel]

What a wonderful b'day gift! Marcia - that was fantastic! Hope you had a super day, Robin! Love, Rachel

[chuck]

groovy!