Sit down at your piano without any ideas. Start with Bennie and the Jets (or this Ben Folds song, doesn’t matter either way), then, casually glance at a tweet that places the hint of The Simpsons’ fake Michael Jackson “Lisa it’s your birthday” song in your head. Make up words that kinda hopefully sound cool and maybe mean something to someone. Finish writing and recording the whole thing before you notice any similarities in the melody to The Simpsons’ song. Finish with a polyphonic slow build to give the illusion of substance. Realize there are only four songs left and freak out.

Song

Discussion

CHRIS: In Cuba, apparently a “rum and coke” is called a Cuba Libre. The drink is also called that at a small Cuban restaurant in Toronto’s west end, where they cost $8 and go down quick. And then you get back from your friend’s birthday dinner all full of Cuban sovereignty juice and sit down to write and record a song and this is what you get.

I think “their words can’t hurt me anyway / at least that’s what they say” is a clever enough lyric. Not sure if there’s anything to the rest of it. But meh it’s fine.

Except seriously now, four songs left! Let’s make these the best four songs since Four Songs, amirite? (Steve, we need to find some time to get together and put some effort into this, yeah?)

Lyrics

God youâ€re back again

Tempting me with words Iâ€m too weak to defend

No ordinary friend

With benefits that have to end

But their words canâ€t hurt me anyway

The messages we send

A grownup game of make believe and letâ€s pretend

Just when I think Iâ€m on the mend

The seams all start to burst and bend

But their words canâ€t hurt me anyway

Their words canâ€t hurt me anyway

At least thatâ€s what they say

Wrapped up so tight we might break

Bless my soul Iâ€m on the take

Itâ€s these feelings I canâ€t shake

Itâ€s these feelings I canâ€t shake

Break my bones, break apart

Break the rules break my heart

Itâ€s these feelings I canâ€t shake

Itâ€s these feelings I canâ€t shake

Credits

Words and music: Chris Tindal

Chris Tindal: Piano and vocals