The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab
I’m still catching up on the weeks for The Ignition Lab. Week #20’s word prompt was SUCCULENT. The first thing I thought of was Darius’ need to put everything in his mouth to either suck or chew. There’s teething going on, you see. So I wrote a whimsy ukulele tune from Darius’ point of view. I saw it fitting to add (to the lyrics), that if our problems (as adults) were solved that easily, we would do the same.
Being that it’s a playful song, there’s some spoken/singing parts, that are just silly, “Gimme anything, it’ll go in my mouth…” This song is really all about delivery.
One thing of note, musically, the melody for, “You know you would if you were me…” surprised me as I was singing it. Then I realized it was an augmented chord which I’ve never done on the ukulele. There’s a first time for everything! Enjoy!
Betta
Look at my thumb put it in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
Take my big toe put it in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
Is that my bib? put it in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
I can’t help it’s so much fun
Plus it soothes my teething gums
You know you would if you were me
Ease your woes so instantly
Oh yeah.
Is that my fist? Put it in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
Put my whole foot in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
Gimme your hand put it in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
I can’t help it’s so much fun
Plus it soothes my teething gums
You know you would if you were me
Ease your woes so instantly
Oh yeah.
Look I have two hands! Put ’em in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
Oh my god, two feed! Put ’em in my mouth
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
Gimme anything. It’ll go in my mouth.
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’
Betta betta betta
I can’t help it’s so much fun
Plus it soothes my teething gums
You know you would if you were me
Ease your woes so instantly
Oh yeah.