This was another songwriting exercise, SSG W10Y38. The assignment was to pick one of three fortunes from fortune cookies and turn it into a song. The one that I picked was "be smart, but never show it."
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Story behind the song
Not really a story, more like advice about blending in. I don't know whether that's what the fortune meant. It probably meant that if you're really smart, you won't let your adversary know how smart you are.
Lyrics
Be smart, but never show it
Don't let anybody know it
They'll run your pants up the flagpole
For being unconventional.
chorus:
Scientists and doctors and programmers,
Accountants, poets, engineers
Are people we all need
Who must be smart to succeed.
But don't act like a geek.
Be careful when you speak.
Be smart, but never show it.
Don't let anybody know it.
verse:
If you can jump or throw a ball,
They'll worship your trophy in the hall.
But nobody wants to be outshined
When it comes to matters of the mind.
chorus
verse:
Don't carry on about word games or chess.
They'll make fun of the way you talk and dress.
You don't wanna be labeled as a nerd
By letting them know what you've learned.
chorus
