My New Philosophy

Today I'm feeding you two songs that may or may not be new to you.

The first is from the Broadway musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and is entitled "My New Philosophy." I accompanied a darling 13-year-old girl who sang this with lots of verve last Friday night.

[SALLY]
"oh, yeah. That's what you think."

[SCHROEDER]
What?

[SALLY]
That's my new philosophy: "Oh, yeah?
That's what you think!"

[SCHROEDER]
Well, why are you telling me?

[SALLY]
What?

[SCHROEDER]
Why are you telling me?

[SALLY]
"Why are you telling me?" I like it!
That's a good philosophy: "Why are you telling me?"
Why are you telling me?"

"Why are you telling me?"
My new philosophy
The teacher gave a "D" on last week's homework
She said, "Miss Sally Brown,
Your grades are going down."
I could have told her-

[SCHROEDER]
You new philosophy?

[SALLY]
My new philosophy!
[as teacher]
Miss B?
[as herself]
I'm she

Look see.
A "D?"
A "D."
Well, why are telling me?
And that's my new philosophy!

[SCHROEDER]
That's your new philosophy?

[SALLY]
Why are you telling me?
My new philosophy!

[SCHROEDER]
That's great, Sally, but I've gotta go practice Chopin's
Nocturne in B-Flat minor.

[SALLY]
No!! I like it! "No!" That's a good philosophy.
"No!" "No!" "No!"

[SCHROEDER]
That's your new philosophy, huh?

[SALLY]
Yes. I mean-- "No!"
Just like a busy bee
Each new philosophy
Can fly from tree to tree and keep me moving
When life's a dizzy maze
On alternating days
I choose a different phrase-

[SCHROEDER]
Your new philosophy?

[SALLY]
My new philosophy!

[SCHROEDER]
Sally!
Some philosophies are simple:
"Man does not eat by bread alone."
Some philosophies are clear:

[SALLY]
"Leave your message at the sound of the tone."

[BOTH]
Some philosophies pick and choose
Deciding what goes in it.

[SCHROEDER]
Some take a lifetime,

[SALLY]
Mine take a minute.

[SCHROEDER]
But, Sally, anything that takes only a minute can't be
very lasting. For instance, Beethoven took over two years
to complete his brilliant Ninth SYmphony.

[SALLY]
"No!"

[SCHROEDER]
I can't stand it!

[SALLY]
"I can't stand it!" I like it!
It's like a guarantee.
My new philosophy.
And things are sure to be a whole lot brighter
"Oh, yeah? That's what you think!"
"Why are you telling me?"
"No!"
"I can't stand it!"
Now life is free and easy,
Much more philosophy-zy,
With my brand new-

You know, someone had said that we should live every day as
if it were the last day of our life.

[LUCY (passing by and overhearing)]
Aaugh! This is the last day!! This is it!! I only have
twenty-four hours left!! Help me! Help me! This is the last
day!! Aaugh!

[SALLY]
Clearly, some philosophies aren't for all people.
And that's my new philosophy!

And the today I was listening to my "Basia" station on Pandora.com and the song "Cancer," recorded by Joe Jackson in 1982 came onto my playlist.

This song is a follow-on to my recent post about wine and weight — are they good or are they bad. Basically, we're all going to die, sooner or later, one way or another. This song brought a smile to my face.

Everything
Everything gives you cancer
Everything
Everything gives you cancer
There's no cure, there's no answer
Everything gives you cancer

Don't touch that dial
Don't try to smile
Just take this pill
It's in your file

Don't work hard
Don't play hard
Don't plan for the graveyard
Remember -

Everything
Everything gives you cancer
Everything
Everything gives you cancer
There's no cure, there's no answer
Everything gives you cancer

Don't work by night
Don't play by day
You'll feel all right
But you will pay

No caffeine
No protein
No booze or
Nicotine
Remember -

Lest you think I've become suddenly mean and cruel, lighten up. That's all this post is about: lightening up, taking life a little less seriously.