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October 02, 2002
The Fly Had it Right
So I can finally come clean about what I did on the 1st. I went to my friend Marcus' studio to record a song I wrote for my sister and new brother-in-law. It's called "Dancing with You" and chronicles the evolution of their relationship in a poetic and musical way. This is what came out of me that fateful night I spoke about in the entry entitle Art Vomit. I haven't written a song since "He's My Marine"; a campy ode I wrote a few years ago with my friend Kevin. "He's My Marine" may have been good, but I think I am really hitting my stride now. I like the idea of writing songs for specific people. It reminds me of those olden days when kings and queens commissioned guys like Willie Shakes and Ben Johnson for new plays and such. I wonder if there is a market for commissioned songs? Just what I need. Another business venture.
So while I am at Marcus' feverishly trying to get it all in and record this song before I get on a plane to go to my sister's wedding, Marcus tells me a story about Leonard Bernstein. The legend goes that Bernstein was working on a new composition with a pianist. The pianist was playing the composition as Mr. Bernstein was listening. While sightreading the piece, the pianist had mistakenly played a note that turned out to be a fly that had landed just so on the sheet music. He stopped to correct his mistake at which point Mr. Bernstein looked at the music (after the fly had buzzed off) and studied where the fly had sat masquerading as a note. After a brief pause Leonard Bernstein instructed the pianist to play the piece with the note the fly had requested, saying only...."The fly was right."
I love that story.
BTW, Jen and Step decided to dance to "Dancing with You" as their first dance as husband and wife.
Posted by mermu at October 2, 2002 12:42 AM
Comments
Several come imediately to mind. It makes me think of something out of High Fidelity, which is a movie I liked, although a part of that is certainly because it was a movie about, partially for, and potentially by, music people. I want to read the book it was adapted from, too
Posted by: dating at February 20, 2004 03:27 PM
I 2nd that motion!
Posted by: mom at October 17, 2002 10:26 PM
The song was beautiful, as I said to you in person--don't forget to tell your friend (Julia?) who wrote the melody how pretty I thought that was too.
I think the idea of offering a personal song is a cool one. Let us know when you all decide to pick that one up as a venture!
Posted by: Elizabeth at October 16, 2002 11:11 PM
I FOUND THE SHEET MUSIC!!! I know I wouldn't have lost it; I only needed a week's vacation in Arkansas to clear my head of the wedding prep. I'll scan it in and email it to you tonight.
Posted by: Jfer at October 16, 2002 02:18 PM
Meredith, thanks again for your wonderful wedding present. The song is great and really hits the point of how Jennifer and I ended up together. It also allowed us to have one less thing to worry about (picking the first dance song) - although as far as waltzes go, yours is a pretty fast one :-)
As a Maid of Honor, you totally rock!
Oh, and we can't wait for the song for your first niece or nephew, when that time comes...
Posted by: Stepan at October 16, 2002 12:48 PM
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