SOMESONGS 2024 Round 4: "Hapless Avenue"

[Mr. Brown]

Glenn Case - Hapless Avenue

I am so happy right now
Don't say it out loud
If somebody hears it
Only time will tell
Time will sus it out

Going to jinx it all
Lessons you should take to heart
Everything will fall
Everything will fall apart

I am so happy right now
Don't quite know how
It could disappear quick
Only time will tell
Time will sus it out

Going to seem so strange
Listen up and you will find
Everything will change
Everything will change with time

In fact, I'd say it's hard to believe
Despite how nice it is right now, I know where this all leads
It doesn't take a lot to see
On Hapless Avenue
That's where I will be

Generally, ignorance is bliss
Let me be an idiot
Even if I never hear the end of it
Even if I don't perceive the benefit

In fact, I'd say it's hard to believe
Despite how nice it is right now, I know where this all leads
It doesn't take a lot to see
On Hapless Avenue
That's where I will be

In fact, I'd say it's hard to believe
Despite how nice it is right now, I know where this all leads
It doesn't take a lot to see
On Hapless Avenue
That's where I will be

For the challenge: Special guest vocalist The Idiot Kings, singing the line "I am so happy right now"

Additionally: Take note of the first letter of each line of the lyrics. You might notice a pattern that is pertinent to the challenge.

[Mr. Orange]

The Idiot Kings - Hapless Avenue

Been just spending another day down Hapless Avenue
But now it’s time to do the things I’ve gotta do
Crossing without looking to Idiot Place
Nothing can wipe this smile from my face

It’s just a good day to be dumb

I lost my pass near the train at Unlucky Street
I can’t afford another so I’ll have to take my feet
Clammy and hot, I’ve reached Imbecile Park
The only petting zoo that includes a shark

It’s just a good day to be dumb

Sloppin’ greasy pizza while at the office
And this guy’s looking at me like I’m a novice

It’s just a good day to be dumb



I incorporated the challenge by writing from the perspective of a happy idiot. I kept the chord progressions simple, using only three chords in the song, and the harmonies are all one note.

[Mr. Blonde]

Add - Hapless Avenue

Challenge: It's in the lyrics

Lyrics:
The morning found me grinning ear to ear
They said that it could never happen here
The king came back to set us straight and when I heard the news
I went skipping down the hapless avenue

The children ran insane into the park
Their laughter lifted up my tender heart
And everything the propaganda promised us came true
As we stumbled down the hapless avenue

A useless country paralyzed by uptight notions
These clumsy houses sliding out into the ocean
Don't confuse the feeling with the facts
If it doesn't go your way then just relax

Our eyes are crossed, our heads are feather light
We're ready to go gently in the night
We're ready to stop worrying and love the people who
Will drag us through the hapless avenue

[Mr. Pink]

Hapless Avenue by Tomorrow

librarians can only weep
legislators grinning grand
A stolen victory
the bonfires still stand

oh yeah we'll cast the filth out
protect the children I know our side will win out
oh yeah kick out the wicked
this ain't the place for your dangerous thinkin

we reject your book of gluttony
and its caterpillar too
we hungry hapless
people on the avenue

oh yeah we'll cast the filth out
protect the children I know our side will win out
oh yeah kick out the wicked
this ain't the place for your dangerous thinkin

the bars forever closed
but he was still hungry
Banned flamboyant clothes
but he was still hungry
communists exposed
but he was still hungry
running unopposed
but he was still hungry
but he was still hungry

oh yeah we'll cast the filth out
protect the children I know our side will win out
oh yeah kick out the wicked
this ain't the place for your dangerous thinkin


Challenge: We took a lyrics approach first, where the song is about these, let's call them people, who are all about banning children's books, and their sort of outlook on the world. They are never satisfied even when they win in the courts or making laws or whatever fuckery they're up to, but they sure are gleeful in their cruelty, to misparaphrase Adam Serwer. To cap it off, we have buttressed the satire with the dumbest laughter we could come up with, representing their "idiot glee".

[Mr. White]

Caravan Ray - Hapless Avenue

We had a place
Down on the corner
Just one room
With a view
Looking out over
Randwick Racecourse
And every Saturday we’d pray
That the form guide was true

We lived on beans and rice
And lentil stew
Betting on dreams
That would never come true
But when a winner came in
It was something grand
Head down to The Cross
With our cash in our hand

Here’s to the dreamers,
The wanderers too
The ones who found their freedom
They don't need no path to pursue
You and me
Dancing with idiot glee
Me and you
Down on Hapless Avenue

But that was year ago
Then life ran its course
They found you down on Oxford Street
You’d backed the wrong horse
I think of you sometimes
Like you are still here
I play some Junior Murvin
And pour another beer

So raise a glass
To those unlucky souls
Who have lost their direction
And missed all their goals
You and me
Dancing with idiot glee
Me and you
Down on Hapless Avenue

Yes, me and you down on Hapless Avenue
Where the lost find peace
And our dreams feel true
Dancin' all night
just you and me
Dancin' all night
With idiot glee

Here’s to the dreamers,
the wanderers too
With no rhyme or reason
They just muddle through
Their roads got no end
That they can see
They just keep on dancing
With idiot glee