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Happy Birthday, Freak of Science

from How It Is Nowadays by Mailbox

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about

Again I mixed old and new ideas. Hmmm. I think that actually fits in nicely with the concept of this album (then/now, old/young).

The verse bass line and the guitar-tapping refrain are taken directly from a song I did about 9 years ago with David Delaney called "Anthropomorphosized McNugget" (sic). It was an ode to a Happy Meal prize. I sent Dave a copy of Nowadays last week and I'm waiting to hear back from him about this track.

This lyric, like "Lies," existed only as a song title for 5 or 6 years. I wrote the lyrics in my head while walking home from work after drinking a choice blend of coffee. The rest of the song is just good ol' prog-rock happiness.

lyrics

The lamp is rusty
and the light's getting dimmer
The book is further
and his glasses get thicker
His little girl is in some high dudgeon
She's got it in for the old curmudgeon

Father Time slept through his greatest defiance
Happy Birthday, Freak of Science


The kitchen table has a checkered pattern
Now he's planned another trip to Manhattan
She's been thinking
that she may as well be barren
But the stove top's cooking
and she's not sharing

Mother Nature used a household appliance
Happy Birthday, Freak of Science

He hums a ditty
as he shuffles the broom
She's screaming murder
in the other room
He's in the city somewhere
in his dreams
As another voice has joined the choir of screams

And now it wonders
if it should know these giants
Happy Birthday, Freak of Science

Whether you could believe
this is what she conceived,
this is what you are made of.
This is what you will be.

credits

from How It Is Nowadays, released October 31, 2003
music: Adam Rabin
lyrics: Adam Rabin

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Adam Rabin Burlington

Where Prog Rock meets Geek Rock. Adam Rabin is a Vermont songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who has also played with Elephants of Scotland, Mailbox, and musical improv troupe She Thicc. You can also hear Adam’s music on the podcasts: Improvised Weapons, Improv Overdrive, What The Hell Are You Watching, and Vermont Favorites. ... more

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