These are the lyrics for Betty.

VERSE

There’s something wrong when your best friend hates you
It’s been so long I think she might erase you
You and her, you were like sisters for a time
Now you’re only good for her hand-me-downs

Look in the mirror you say you don’t look pretty
She agrees and I think god that’s shitty
Please don’t think that she is really on your side
Especially when it comes to your love life

CHORUS

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
He can’t see what I’ve been watching all this time
Let the rich girl have him, and you’ll be mine

VERSE

Step on the scale you think its ten too much
I want to shake you and say what the fuck
Are you thinking, you’re beautiful just the way you are
I know that you don’t see it like I do

You starve yourself for him, and he deserts you
He doesn’t care, all he does is hurt you
Why do you let him walk all over your heart
You’re crying into your ice cream

CHORUS

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
He can’t see what I’ve been watching all this time
Let the rich girl have him, and you’ll be mine

BRIDGE

Maybe you’ll wake up and stop this sadness
Maybe you’ll finally see me tonight
Maybe you’ll see how all this is madness
Maybe you’ll see I’m right

VERSE

You spill your sorrows she is your confessor
She doesn’t care, your tears they don’t impress her
Your secrets help her break your heart even worse
She is thinking about those shoes she bought

He runs to her even though she hates him
He buys her presents and she berates him
Can’t you see that they aren’t worth your time
You deserve so much better

CHORUS

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
He can’t see what I’ve been watching all this time
Let the rich girl have him, and you’ll be mine

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
Even the kid with the crown has found the apple of his eye
But you’re still smiling like you’re happy and we’re wondering why
You’re still chasing after Archie and I wonder why

This song is about a love rectangle. The singer is in love with Betty, she’s in love with a boy who treats her like crap. He is in love with Betty’s rich best friend who treats both him and Betty like crap. Everyone’s pretty much miserable except possibly for the best friend who’s oblivious to people’s feelings.

I had this little chord progression kicking around for awhile, but frankly, you need to be pretty on the ball to change keys between the verse and the chorus in a fluid way. I wouldn’t characterize myself as on the ball, but with some effort my key changing chord progression now mostly conforms to basic pop song parameters. Also, all the parts that rock are thanks to Chris on the bass and guitar. Especially the guitar solo which I adore.

Betty [lyrics]

Written back at the turn of the millennium (oh the good old days) this song is about our old friend Victor. He’s an ethnic Chinese, Australian born doctor who abandoned medicine (and Sydney) to embrace the “structured” world of computer programming and the United States. Once you understand the laws that govern Victor’s existence you can compile him quite reliably.

I like to think of this arrangement of the song as if it was being performed on a Prairie Home Companion. I can just imagine fantasize about the Garrison Keillor introduction and performing it live somewhere in Minnesota. Of course, not only would we need bassoon and banjo players, but we’d need someone on the didgeridoo (for that “authentic” Australian goodness). And as an extra bonus, my talented sister Avital is singing backup on this track. Cool!

Victor’s a Dictionary [LYRICS]

Lyrics for Victor’s a Dictionary.

VERSE

Victor’s a dictionary
Look up any word
He hates to be interrupted
He needs to be heard
My friend, it’s then, you comprehend

CHORUS

He’s living inside an opera
The rules they tell him what’s wrong from right
He’s quick to do a favor for you
Sydney’s Warm tonight

VERSE

Often wish so hard that he had
Brought his prescription pad
My case of advanced glaucoma
Would get real bad
My friend, it’s then, you comprehend

He’s living inside an opera
The rules they tell him what’s wrong from right
He’s quick to do a favor for you
Sydney’s Warm tonight

VERSE

That dish at the Straits Cafe
What was it called
It beat that jelly grass drink
We were appalled
My friend, it’s then, you comprehend

CHORUS

He’s living inside an opera
The rules they tell him what’s wrong from right
He’s quick to do a favor for you
Sydney’s Warm tonight

He’s living inside an opera
The rules they tell him what’s wrong from right
He’s quick to do a favor for you
Sydney’s Warm tonight