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Punchline
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My musings on the mercurial nature of relationships in the theater, comedy in particular, Mental Floss in very particular, with a few specific people and events in mind.
folk rock humor filk pubsal zieger
Artist picture
Folk music for postmoderns
I am what you might call a musical generalist. I listen to pretty much everything and I compose in pretty much any style, though I concentrate mainly on folk, folk-rock, rock, synth-pop, alternative, comedy, musical theatre, jazz, new-age, film music, avant-garde, and the occasional lullaby (why sing your kid to sleep with "Rock-a-bye Baby" when you can can create something personalized?). I've done most of my professional (i.e. paid) work in the theatre, where I've been musical director for dozens of productions. I was also musical director of Mental Floss, the legendary Miami improv group, for over 500 performances; I recently did a stint with Laughing Gas, which rose from the ashes of Mental Floss 11 years ago to become the longest running improv group in South Florida. As a singer-songwriter, I've concentrated most of my energy on my signature style of synth-driven folk-rock (sort of Indigo Girls meets Vangelis). I'm also something of a minor celebrity in the world of Filk (folk music for science fiction fans), where I am proud to be the object of the worlds smallest international fan base.
Song Info
Genre
Pop • Dance-Pop
Charts
Peak #102
Peak in subgenre #42
Author
Darren Zieger
Rights
1991
Uploaded
July 11, 2009
Track Files
MP3
MP3 5.0 MB • 128 kbps • 5:27
Story behind the song
I spent about 2 1/2 very busy, intense years as the musical director of a now legendary (if defunct) Miami comedy improv group called Mental Floss. Floss had a brief (6 years) but spectacular run, and although there was much turnover, a core group of performers stayed with the group through its entire lifespan. At one point, however, two members of the core group left to seek success as a standup duo. They had a great act, and we were sure they on their way up. Punchline was written in response to this event, and the feeling of being left behind while your peers go on to bigger and better things. It's not about resentment, but more about resignation, and the ephemeral nature of the theatre.
Lyrics
Here's a story, stop me if you've heard it It's kind of funny but you must know how to word it Now I can tell a joke and it never comes out right But some can stand alone and knock 'em dead all night All night You take your chances, laughing for a living The ceiling may cave in or the floor may fall away But catch the fire and all is forgiven You wouldn't have it any other way Between the streets and the boredom of salvation I'll choose the evil that I know You set it up with the perfect syncopation Then it came the time to go So what's the punchline? Local heroes with big time dreams Sometimes the spotlight is not what it seems Change partners, change of address Trying to do more with less and less The kids who think they know all that's worth knowing They come and go but they do not change a thing These days I feel the cold change winds blowing We choose direction and we scatter to the wind But I'm still hangin' with the same old crowd Everybody in the old neighborhood it so proud And I think about a joke you used to tell Always thought I knew it well Must have heard it a hundred times... What's the punchline? It takes so long just to find the balance And when it happens it's like magic in the air You breathe it in and you hold it for a moment Then it's gone And you wonder - was it ever really there? But I'm still thinkin' along the same old lines Worryin' about the future, jammin' on old times But I think about a joke you used to tell Always thought I knew it well Must have eard it a hundred times... What's the punchline? What's the punchline? Oh won't you tell me tell me what's the punchline? Won't you tell me?
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