Song Lyrics 101

I spend a great deal of time in the car. I spend a great deal of time in the car with two boys who listen to WILD 94.9 or MOViN 99.7. Two radio stations that play all the hits from Rhiana to Ke$ha, and Nelly to Jay Z.

I also spend oodles of time listening to George the Younger's i-pod which is turned on bright and early for shower time (loud enough that he can hear it in the shower and consequently I can hear it in the kitchen) and then subsequently relocated downstairs so that we can enjoy the dulcet tones of eminem while we partake of our Special K. We are also treated to his play list while doing homework and washing dishes. It's a veritable non-stop hip hop parade. I think I am in love with Nelly and I don't even know what he looks like.

But the result of this is that I know the lyrics to, and can reasonably sing, most top 10 songs on the hit parade whose demographic is surely people that are at least 30 years younger than I. It is not unheard of for me to start whistling the melody of Nelly's "Just a Dream" while I am vacuuming. I find this a little disconcerting - but it is what it is.

One of the reasons that I know all the lyrics is that there are currently at least a half a dozen or more songs that they're just not that complex. I have taken note that at some point in the song, the artists frequently use the exact same words. If you know the following two words you should be able to mumble your way through most songs. Your teenager will either find this endearing or creepy. George the Younger kinda likes that I know the words, that way when he is singing the melody I am permitted to jump in with the back-up part. So here's the short list:

• Shawty
• Put your hands up

"Shawty" refers to any girl, girl friend, ex-girl friend, future girl friend or drunk girl at a party depending on the song. It is like using "her" or "she" but hella hip. (hella is a little dated now - but it's fun to get it in when I can. George the Younger is only permitted to use hecka - we have our standards you know)

And, should you begin to learn the songs where "put your hands up" is peppered quite liberally (and there are at least a dozen - just google it if you are skeptical) - please use caution when you are driving. When George the Younger and I sing along in the car, we also sometimes seat dance. (just imagine the visual - it's amusing) If I were to put my hands up as many times as I am asked to do this during any 30 minute driving period we would all surely die.

So sing loud and proud - here we go, "Shawty, put your hands up, Shawty!"