Let Me Be Bad

[John K.]

I've been tempted, again,
To do things I shouldn't even be thinking of.
My minds been wandering, day dreaming,
Distracted by feelings that pretend to be love.
I know you're trusting me to be faithful
I'm being trusted more than I ever had
Oh baby, let me go, let me be bad.

Ah most women, they don't want me
That's ok, I'm past that phase of my life
But there's a woman, this one woman
If I close my eyes I may recall I already have a wife.
I know you're trusting me to be faithful
I promised to God, I know I had
And I got to keep holding on, but I want to be bad.

Older's not necessarily wiser
It's just a commonly held myth.
I'm not so old that I can't remember
What can happen when inhibitions shift
Let's figure out another way
So I don't carry this face of shame
When I look at you in the morning
I want to smile and see your smile just the same.

Instead of getting angry 'cause I'm human
Reward me for staying strong.
Let's get a babysitter, let's light some candles.
Let's make something right since I've done nothing wrong.
We can make a game out of my desire
It could be the best night that we've ever had
We could turn bad into our good, let me be bad.

Let's play doctor, let's play college, let me be bad.
Let's play dress-up, let's play heaven, let me be bad.
Let's play twister, let's play blind date, let me be bad.

[lizzytysh]

Hi John ~

I like this a lot as a marital cry that if, with honesty, could be made more often and resolved, could save more marriages, bring the divorce rate down.

Nice job in expressing it, John.

[Looks like there are two verses there in the middle that need a space line between them. According to Greg's Rules, the verse that begins with "Instead of being angry . . . ," could use more rhyme... but there's probably another rule out there that covers the way you did it . Back to my sig .]

Is this actually a song?


~ Lizzy
"I like the poem and for me that's all that matters."

[John K.]

[lizzytysh]

Hi John ~

First, please know I'm only teasing... with one finger lightly pointed at you, and the other lightly pointed at me ~ the way it is oft known to be . And, "Greg's Rules" was so fun to say... sounds rather official, in fact, like there oughta be a thin book. You're agreeably so right [as you know] on the stretching and compressing of lyrics in songs vs. poems... as Leonard says, he knows the difference between a poem and a song. It's also why simply reading the lyrics to a song can lose so much in the 'translation,' as so much expression to its meaning is brought about by those very things, conjunct the melody. During those times, too, rhyming often doesn't matter. I thought I might get around this 'poetry' roadblock and tried to write a song ~ ey yi yi... bad going to worse .

Second, thanks. I figured it was probably a song .

Third:

I try not to think about rules though.

A partner in poetry crime .


~ Lizzy

[BoHo]

What can happen when inhibitions lift

Any chance we might hear you sing and play if you make it to The Big Choke, John K.? You get my vote for doing so. And, you're right about lyrics and lyric poetry being two different balls of worms. I ain't no academic, I'm a hack; but, I knows what I like 'n' I like your tune very much, very much enough to know I'd like to hear how it sounds as well.

Couple things I wonder? The line I quote above? How would you feel about changing "lift" to "shift?" (I know you may be reffing "Hallelujah" with "the major lift" but, IMO, I think you might gainsome losesome with this shufflesift). Also, took the liberty of playing around with the following (with an aim towards suggesting an alteration, p'raps. Just my opinion, nothing more):

We could turn some bad into good
Might not work; but, what if it could

I can tell you're the genuine article because you speak the language, "compression" being one of the most important words in the meta-world of poetry, lyrics, and the enmixturated two. It's good you're here; you make the Forum look sharp and we're enriched by what you do. Thanks for letting us have a sneak-peek view.

Undeniably enbettered, BoHo
p.s. You got any suggestions for a great place for prime rib in T.O.? I used to go to The Keg (because I could afford it; but, have no idea if that's still an option; and, no, pls don't mention that famous place outta our snack bracket, K, Mr. K.?)
--
THE ITEM THAT HE SENT HER:
http://www.judithfitzgerald.ca/leonardcohen.html
ADAGIOS III — ELECTRA'S BENISON, BOUND!
http://www.oberonpress.ca/titles.pl?v=new
JUDITH FITZGERALD'S EVER-EVOLVING WRITESITE:
http://www.judithfitzgerald.ca/
LEONARD COHEN'S OPEN BOOK OF LONGING:
http://tinyurl.com/yno7z7
POET PARLIAMENTAEIRIAL JUDITH FITZGERALD:
http://tinyurl.com/38ssjq
THE AMERICAN BOOK REVIEW:
http://tinyurl.com/2h6op6
SUNITI NAMJOSHI'S BRIGHTSITE:
http://tinyurl.com/37jjvy
J.F. ON AL PURDY & ELI MANDEL @ CBC:
http://tinyurl.com/2vdrdq

[John K.]

[mat james]

top idea for a song John.

I loved this line:

Instead of getting angry 'cause I'm human

There is a lot that holds true in these lyrics John, and I loved hearing it said, in my mind at least. So I'm with the others; let's hear it, maybe on Youtube!
You're on a winner and what is more, it fits well into Geoffrey's morality!

Regards, Matj

[BoHo]

I might just be printing your post out and sticking it on the wall for those moments I feel discouraged, and that's no (wonderful) lie. Did you read my story about Mr. W from a couple years ago?

Stick 'em up!

J/kidding. Happy to inspire any artist; so, the feeling's mutual. I keep the walls clear so I can read the writing between the lines on them; but, that may change once I actually paint them some year. Point me in the direction of the story concerning Mr. W. Haven't seen same so far.

As you know I plan to be up in T.O., keeping jive alive (h/t Neil Young), and at this point I am expecting the lovely Mrs. K. to be joining me. We're planning a two nighter with one of the nights being the Glass performance and then the other being on a side of the Glass.

Well, then, you'll be in the right place at the right time because it was just confirmed three hours ago that LC will be there, in the fresh, performing his narrator-part in the presentation of what looks to be the decade (at least). Now, all we need to make this day of love is some nice Godiva chox and . . . BRB . . . Nope, nothing on my doorstep yet. Drats, drats, double drats! Great news; really worth celebrating; if I get any happier, I'm a-gonna need something heavy-duty tranquil to down-calm moi. NOT!

Thank you for taking the time to crit and make suggestions! Hmmm, the lift/shift thingy; I wasn't consciously referencing LC, but I'll think about this one just the same. I'm not sure I can't do better yet than either of the two choices. On the other suggestion, I like the idea of having some sort of intermediate rhyme before progressing to a resolution in the last refrain! That will definately make this better. When I do the arrangement I may slow it down there too, although I may not, I'll have to see how it sounds.

Well, I do see where you'd be partial to "lift," and I don't hate its existence in your piece (especially since I've handed you the ammo to defend its place on a ten-foot silver platter). Looking forward to seeing how you work out the fine points; but, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking, with the alteration; so, good we're on the same wavelength.

Never been Kegging, but I'm certainly willing to try. When I travel and need meat, I usually wind up at a brew pub or such since I know that where there is beer, there is usually beef.

The Keg is exactly the kind of place you describe; and, the menu's to live for, IIRC. Yorkshire pudding, crunchie veggies, crispy frites, and melt-in-your-mouth PR done to your din-din desire. Loved it. Can't decide if it's the PR or the LC making me drool right now, L! We'll have to make reservations, now, though. The best one's at Wellesley and Jarvis, in a house once owned by a prominent Canadian financier, a mansion, Julie's Mansion, IIRC, once owned by the creator of Wonder Bread (meaning, you wonder what's in it). (Joe? Dick? No, I don't mean you guys are in the bread, nope, hehehehe . . .)

In T.O. we're more likely to go to Chinatown (although it can be hard to find a place where anyone speaks English, I once got served chicken feet and that's the truth) or to the Spaghetti Factory on the Esplanade.

I believe it. Prolly better than the cockroach winding up in the pants of one of the Ex-Its in my own Chinatown history, though, I bet. I used to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory all the time; and, it's a fine suggestion for large groups. (Dick? Joe?) Very reasonable and, I like its bread and butter menu. Casual, charming, and the streetcar's something I won't describe because it'll ruin it for the others joining us. There's a great seafood place right around the corner, too -- lox deluxe!

Since we got the young-uns we usually end up at Italian if it's not (blech) fast food, although I do admit to liking Harveys! They've got decent burgers and that sweet English-style ketchup.

John, John, John, you cannot love Harvey's more than Hymn's! Ain't possible. Huh? Hymn's! Tim Horton's. Best coffee in Canada. And, the chili's divine. Next time you cross the border, try it; you'll thank me and, so will the kids. The only reason I drive a Dodge is because it's the only truck I could find to hold Tim's large coffee cups on a little slide-out tray and you woll up the wim to win! Harvey's is owned by the same conglomerate; but, Tim's and Hosers go together like wine and rosers. Trust me, you cannot become an honourary Canuck until you've sipped from Tim's loving cup. K? K. Just so we've cleared that up.

I am stoked! How many sleeps is it, now? Gads, I can't think that high. No, it'll be great if you bring Mrs. K., too, as Dick and Joe say. This really is going to be the event of the B'Loser Season. Hallelujah!

Jf/ox (still checking on that box o' chox, sorry, priorities, y'know? Erp, gotta go . . . Here's LuDawg and chox, life rox!)
--
THE ITEM THAT HE SENT HER:
http://www.judithfitzgerald.ca/leonardcohen.html
ADAGIOS III — ELECTRA'S BENISON, BOUND!
http://www.oberonpress.ca/titles.pl?v=new
JUDITH FITZGERALD'S EVER-EVOLVING WRITESITE:
http://www.judithfitzgerald.ca/
LEONARD COHEN'S OPEN BOOK OF LONGING:
http://tinyurl.com/yno7z7
POET PARLIAMENTAEIRIAL JUDITH FITZGERALD:
http://tinyurl.com/38ssjq
THE AMERICAN BOOK REVIEW:
http://tinyurl.com/2h6op6
SUNITI NAMJOSHI'S BRIGHTSITE:
http://tinyurl.com/37jjvy
J.F. ON AL PURDY & ELI MANDEL @ CBC:
http://tinyurl.com/2vdrdq

[John K.]

[John K.]

[BoHo]

We'll take you back now, as long as everyone promises not to revive the debate, cause there ain't nothin to debate. There was no "Everything Else" section at the time so it took place in Poetry

It was the best of threads, it was the worst of dreads; but, for all of it, I feel better about a lot of things; mostly, your decision. IMO, the best revenge is not wanting any. Works for me. Clearly, that was the route you elected to travel, too.

You're absolutely right, I cannot love Harvey's more than Tim's, but we have Timmeh all over Western New York. They have the best coffee anywhere I think. When Mrs. K and I travel to Canada we always find the closest Tim's and then it becomes the regular morning stop. It's gotten so bad that on vacation in Pennsylvania last summer I pulled into a Duncans (they have no TH in PA) and asked for a box of Timbits for the kids. I couldn't have been the first since the young lady merely replied "we call them Munchkins".

Hehehehe . . . You cannot see how I'm beaming from thumb to thumb reading this. L! LuDawg's giving me that, Oh, no, not this routine again; if you don't mind, DawgMa, I think I'll pass on yer gigglin' . . . She just got off my feet and decided she'd rather babysit the floor register in the kitchen, her favourite spot in winter.

But we don't have Harvey's.

Ubiquitous in this part of the country. Timmeh, BTW? S'Okay by me. Consider it added to my active vocabulation. Speaking of, since this is a one-coffee post, BRB. (Yes, I buy Hymn's coffee, or Gevalia, my weaknesses, I confess.) Ummmm . . . S'pose my big claim to fame is I've never eaten a McDonald's *anything* and, I don't know why, even. Before my mother passed away, she used to give each of her three children McDonald's gift certificates for Christmas. We were all in uni so, I think she thought she was enourishing our minds in her own way. I always traded 'em for BEER. Black Label. Or, the key to the piano room in the basement at Winter's College. (Don't ask.)

In London they used to have a chain called "Whimpy's" is that still around? It was alot like Harveys and I liked it too!

Amazing. On my first trip to London, the very first place I hit was Whimpy's. Just outside of Gatwick airport, IIRC. And, yes. I see the associational journey you've taken to arrive there. I don't know; I can't say I recall seeing 'em when I was there last. But, I did have a very mushy hamburger with mushy tomatoes and mushy bunny bread. It was better than airplane plastic, though. What shocked me most on my last visit to Europe, generally, was the price of gas. I thought we were suffering; but, we're still quite lucky in that department.

Your story about Mr. W? I am biting my fingernails to up-shut my tippy-tappingness on what I read in those messages. Please, I feel like next I'm going to need to stop up my ears with wax and tie meself to the mast so I don't hear the Siren call. I will say you governed yourself with grace and clarity, that much was obvious to me. And, reading your simple truthfulness was so refreshing, I came close to tears. How it must have stung; and, I think we all have stories about our own Mr. W.; in fact, I think I shall start calling that vanquished ghost Mr. W. Guess it kinda works for me since Mr. Dubbya works for you. NOT.

Read your other song and have to say, prefer the one to Mrs. K. and this one over it; though, in a way, there's a kind of universal swath of longing for the loss of something we know we shall never know again. Blessing and a curse, first chorus, second verse. Also, I liked your LC parody. I'd like to see, someday, the entire Forum contribute the "lost" verses of Hallelujah to LC's uber-oeuvre (since new found-and-lost-and-found ones seem to materialise on a weekly basis).

I am really looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the crew in June; and, I've now firmed up my accomodations and my friend from Windsor shall come to stay and visit, too. So, I shall have a driver (which calls for a Hellistic High-Fiver!).

Thanks again for taking the time, J. K. I hope your day is half as divine as you've clearly made mine (and, I'm hardly awake so, alright!).

Jf/ox
p.s. What's your middle initial (or in the Land of Kloberdancia, do they not bestow such? )
--
TOM SAKIC & JUDITH FITZGERALD @ LTAC:
http://www.attlc-ltac.org/Langs.htm
THE ITEM THAT HE SENT HER:
http://www.judithfitzgerald.ca/leonardcohen.html
ADAGIOS III — ELECTRA'S BENISON, BOUND!
http://www.oberonpress.ca/titles.pl?v=new
JUDITH FITZGERALD'S EVER-EVOLVING WRITESITE:
http://www.judithfitzgerald.ca/
LEONARD COHEN'S OPEN BOOK OF LONGING:
http://tinyurl.com/yno7z7
POET PARLIAMENTAEIRIAL JUDITH FITZGERALD:
http://tinyurl.com/38ssjq
THE AMERICAN BOOK REVIEW:
http://tinyurl.com/2h6op6
SUNITI NAMJOSHI'S BRIGHTSITE:
http://tinyurl.com/37jjvy
J.F. ON AL PURDY & ELI MANDEL @ CBC:
http://tinyurl.com/2vdrdq

[John K.]

[mat james]

I find that if I can not worry about other people, what they have, or their opinions, that I usually feel pretty successful.

John K.

I have a line for that thought John,

"I compare; I despise!"

Matj

[John K.]

Hi John ~

I like this a lot as a marital cry that if, with honesty, could be made more often and resolved, could save more marriages, bring the divorce rate down.

Nice job in expressing it, John.

[Looks like there are two verses there in the middle that need a space line between them. According to Greg's Rules, the verse that begins with "Instead of being angry . . . ," could use more rhyme... but there's probably another rule out there that covers the way you did it . Back to my sig .]

Is this actually a song?


~ Lizzy
"I like the poem and for me that's all that matters."

Yes, Lizzy, this is a song, hopefully someday you'll get to hear it!

[lizzytysh]

Hey, John ~

I'm so glad to see this revived here and that it's including some precious bits of history . What I don't like are all those repetitions of "deleted."

I'd love to hear that song one day. Are you going to Cracow?


~ Lizzy