Goodbye Little Worm

23/11/24

I’ve had an earworm for weeks.

As is the nature of earworms, it’s very irritating.

Frankly, after 20 years living a life defined by someone else’s script, the last thing I need is an inner voice demanding I shape up for some phantom ‘other’.

I absolutely can’t fathom why this is the song my tormenting brain has latched onto right now.

Having accidentally exclaimed, “Oh, fuck off!” out loud, in the street, much to the consternation of a fellow pedestrian, I had to find a way to kill off this earworm before I went certifiably mad.

No matter what else I played, from raucous rock, through dodgy dance, and pissed off punk, that little bastard worm would wait for a quiet moment, then start trilling his shitty ditty again.

In the end, with a sort of ‘can’t beat ’em, join ’em’ attitude, I sat down and rewrote the lyrics.

It was a lot of fun to get creative in a new way, song writing not being my thing at all. As you can probably tell.

I very much hope no original writers, creators or artists are offended, or feel ‘harmed’ in any way by my doing this.

Y’know, should they somehow ever find out the a nobody, middle aged, mess of a woman, living in Nothingsburb England has tampered with their property!

Reworked Track From Grease

I got thrills, they’re multiplying
And I’m taking control
‘Cause the power I’m defining,
It’s electrifying!

I’m gonna shape up, I don’t need a man
And my heart is not so blue.
I’m gonna shape up, now that I understand
To myself I must be true,
Nothin’ left, nothin’ left in me for you

Freedom’s all that I want, it is the thing I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, it’s sunny
Freedom’s all that I want, it is the thing I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, it’s sunny
Freedom’s all that I want, it is the thing I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, it’s what I need
Oh yes indeed

If you’re filled with adventure
You’re too scared to explore
Put your faith in your own strength,
Reach for more.

I better shape up, ’cause I need a life
That can keep me satisfied.
I better shape up if I’m gonna prove
That my faith is justified
Am I sure? Yes I’m sure down deep inside

It’s the life that I want, this is the life I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh it’s sunny
It’s the life that I want, this is the life I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh it’s sunny
It’s the life that I want, this is the life I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, it’s what I need
Oh yes indeed.

It’s so much more uplifting to have my inner self singing along to this version.

The new lyrics make me smirk, particularly the ‘nothin’ left in me for you‘ line.

Needless to say, compared with wanting to pull your brain out through your nose in order to make the song stop, smirking is a vastly improved reaction.

The relishing of independence and looking forward to the future within my new version of the song are far preferable, and way more inspiring, than the sappy ‘got to have you’ original.

My lyrics keep reminding me to keep my eye on the prize, to keep identifying and building the life that I truly want.

To become more.

JP