The Ear-Worm

There’s a tune in my brain

Which will drive me insane

Cos I can’t seem to rein 

          in my thinking

And it’s solace I seek

Cos it’s been there all week

Like my head’s sprung a leak 

          and it’s sinking

It’s just musical fluff

Though it’s catchy enough,

And an ear-worm is tough 

          to dismember

But I’d love to take aim

Cos it isn’t a game

And it burns like a flame 

          or an ember

I’ve been thinking it through

And I know what I’ll do—

I’ll just share them with you 

          in my writing

And I hope you’re inclined

Not to think me unkind,

Cos I hope that you find 

          them exciting

So I tell you, my child,

Here’s a list I’ve compiled—

Though my thoughts have gone wild, 

          this will tame me

My relief is my goal—

If these songs hurt your soul

They’re not mine to control… 

          so don’t blame me!

I have had a few songs going through my head for what seems to be two or three lifetimes just now.  Fortunately, these are songs I actually like quite a bit, so it isn't torture (I could imagine the Hell it would be to have, say, "Disco Duck" forever on the mind--yes, that dates me a bit, but I hope it makes my point).  These songs are a sampling of what's been bouncing around my skull for some while; if you know them, you probably know why.  If you don't know them, don't be afraid to click.  They are earworms... but in a good way.

Mark Twain (of course) did it first (of course) and better (of course), with his short story "Punch, Brothers, Punch".  Before I list my earworms, I leave you with his words of caution:

Why did I write this article? It was for a worthy, even a noble, purpose. It was to warn you, reader, if you should came across those merciless rhymes, to avoid them--avoid them as you would a pestilence.

If he were not dead, I would think he had possibly found my site!

The songs!  To share with you, so as to test Twain's theory...
First, The Decemberists, with "Grace Cathedral Hill"



Then, a bit of honey poured into your ears... Camera Obscura's "Honey in the Sun". I could list a half dozen or more Camera Obscura songs, but this one... *sigh*...



Last one for today (if this works, I may unload another batch sometime)... Parachute Musical, with "One More Song". It was a toss-up between this and "Jacksonville", which is also excellent. Actually, the whole album is, come to think of it.



So, if Mark Twain is right, I may finally be able to sleep tonight with a skull free of earworms. Although you may not have it so easy...