Be Happy

There's too many sad songs out there.

Not that it's a bad thing

But sad songs tend to make people.... well... sad.

Why would you want that?

Now it is true, that people will remember sad moments more vividly than they do happy times. Perhaps because sad moments tend to happen more scarcely than happy. Sad songs also tend to hit the heartstrings of listeners, especially if they can make a personal connection to it.

Case and point:

So lately the radio/tv/internet/wherever the hell I turn has been playing the song "Say Something" by A Great Big World. Apparently their song wasn't good enough in the original version, so they brought in Christina Aguilera to accompany it, and the song shot to the top of the charts. They made a video of it too, which is quite touching (save for when the camera keeps cutting to Christina, where she keeps touching her face, as if she has a rash or something).

See for yourself (grab some tissues to dry your eyes too):

See, it's a great song. Very well done. Almost too well done. Because for me, once I heard it, it stuck in my head all day. And it wouldn't leave my head. And it would keep me from being happy.

Not good.

I had to do something to make it stop.

Some of you reading this probably have the song going on through your head now too. Even though you hit stop on the video a while ago. And now you might be cursing me for ruining the rest of your day with this sad song playing in your head and keeping you awake while you lay in bed, trying to make connections between the song lyrics and moments in your life, reducing you to tears, and making you sit up just to have a good cry.

Sorry.

But last night I decided I was not going to let this sad song overtake my day. I had to be happy.

I needed a way to make myself smile when I heard or thought of this song, rather than level me to despair.

So I simply changed the lyrics.

Now when I hear the music hit, I can't help but crack a smile.

Background info to the new lyrics: 

A few years back, my twin, Joanne, went to Peru and asked me if I wanted her to bring anything back for me. Normally I would ask for the tackiest keychain she could find, but since she was headed to Peru, I had to ask for something that I had always wanted since I heard about their existence.... a Titicaca toque! These are toques knitted by groups of men on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Some of these people actually live on islands made of reeds that could take up to a year to construct!

She did not fail

Now my wife Heather, bless her, thought I was crazy for asking for, and wearing such a thing, but she embraces my craziness, regardless of how silly I may look. Even if it may embarrass her at times.

So.... lets go back to the sad song:

Now stop crying you sissy, time to smile, and be happy.

Play that video again, and substitute the lyrics with the ones I have provided below:

"I'M WEARING"

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

Because it's cold out, and I want to

I'm gonna go walk the dog for you

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

And it was knitted by hand

Way down south in Peru

By a talented man

High, by a freshwater lake

The highest one on Earth

It takes the cake

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

I'm sorry it's mine and it's not for you

I'm gonna go wear it out with you

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

And I'll be getting high-fives

You'll be so embarrassed

But I'll feel so alive

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

And I'm sorry that you didn't get one too

Let's go by ourselves to Machu Pichu (Oh-oh-oh-oh)

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

I'm wearing my Titicaca toque

I'm wearing....

Face it, that song will never be the same to you anymore

You're welcome!

sleep well