It’s so good being bad with you (This song is on my second CD, The Essential Mel)

music: Mike Campbell from Capetown

Scroll down (bar in the middle) to read all the lyrics of each song.

Your breath is sweet, your lips a treat,
Your ears are ears that
I’d love to eat

So let me stay
with you just today
It’s so good bein’ bad with you

Your skin is fair, The dress you wear,
The spell you cast with that long dark hair,
And so tonight why not hold me tight
It’s so good bein’ bad with you.

We could catch the early show,

Grab a sandwich and then
Hurry back ’cause it’s past my bedtime,
And start all over again.

Your eyes beguile,You’ve got that smile,
Just say and I’ll stay with you quite a while,
And when we’re done
We’ll have just begun,
It’s so good bein’ bad with you.

Rack Rega Rock (I wrote this as a graduate student over forty years ago)

I get to the ‘tahana’ at twenty to one       (station)

and i just missed the bus, why I’m a son-of-gun,

I’m late for a date and I’m pretty ‘umlal’       (miserable)

Sitting all alone on that empty ‘safsal’       (bench)

But pretty soon I’m joined by people by the score,

All waiting at the tahana and standing out of ‘tor’       (queue)

And just when I’m getting ‘kvethced’ by the crowd       (station)

The next bus pulls away and leaves me crying out loud:

Rack Rega Rock!Rack Rega Rock!Rack Rega Rock!

I finally get on about half past one

And I don’t recall was it ‘Egged’ or ‘Dan’       (two rival bus companies)

So I ask the driver “Is this a 79?”

He says, “Go out boy and have a look at the sign!”

The bus was crowded that I couldn’t even see

All the other people standing right next to me

One was sitting on my shoulder

One was dancing on my hand

And further down the bus

I hear a rock and roll band

And they are playing…..

Rack Rega Rock!Rack Rega Rock!Rack Rega Rock!

The rock and roll  band at the back of the bus

Are really rocking and rolling and creating a fuss.

The bus starts rocking to and fro in rhythm

And we ain’t got no choice, we’s rock and rolling with’m.

Here’s the university, I gotta get off,

And that is where the going gets tough,

I press the ‘caftor’, it lights the ‘atsor’       (button/stop indicator)

But he steps on the gas when I’m halfway out the door yelling….

Rack Rega Rock!Rack Rega Rock!Rack Rega Rock!

You Got Mel (the opening of my radio show “You’ve Got Mel”)

Get a chair, grab a seat

Or we’ll sweep you off your feet,

We move, we groove,

You got Mel

Ease your legs

Rest a while,

All you gotta do is smile

We’re so swell, can’t you tell,

You got Mel.

When the show begins you better hold on real tight

Or before you know it you’ll be high as a kite.

Take a break, settle down

We’re the only show in town,

SRO, don’t you know, you got Mel

Give it up, don’t think twice,

We’re a hurricane on ice,

What the hell

Give a yell

Ring your bell

Show and tell

Mad’moiselle,

Give a smell,

You got Mel

Rick’s Blues (wrote this for my dear pianist friend Rick Birman, performed with Marina Blumin when she was fifteen, with Rick on the piano).

If you’re over and out, come to me,

If you’re down and about, come to me,

If your nursin’ that gout, come to me.

If you think it’s the end, come to me,

If you’re over the bend, come to me,

If you just ain’t on the mend, come to me.

‘Cause I will treat you right baby, I’ll carry your load,

‘Cause I will treat you right baby, I’ll carry your load,

Not just tonight, but far on down the road.

So if you’re going on the trail, come with me

If you’re setting that sail, come with me,

Or just riffin’ on that scale, scat with me.

Brasil

Brasil, what have you done to me?

Brasil, I am in ectasy

The cool bossanovas that tickle my toes

Those smells of Bahia are still in my nose

Brasil, I am in love with you,

Brasil, you are a dream come true,

Saudades my friend, I’ll be back again

A te mais, Brasil.

Come a Little Closer to Me

Nobody makes my heart pound

The way that you do

Nobody turns my head round

The way that you do

Nobody’s smell is so heavenly scent

Nobody’s wish is my clearest intent

Nobody even comes close to you

So come a little closer to me

Nobody quenches my thirst

The way that you do

Nobody gets me to first

The way that you do

Nobody’s laugh is so perfectly fine

Nobody hooks me so well with a line

Nobody even comes close to you

So come a little closer to me

Chorus:

You’ve set every record with me

Guiness, take heed

You’re the only one on earth

That I’ll ever need

Nobody looks at my eyes,

The way that you do

Nobody touches my thighs

The way that you do

Nobody’s smile is an infra red beam

That makes me so sure that you are what you seem

Nobody even comes close to you

So come a little closer to me

Xmas Eve

Mama said that when she hung her stocking up

She had no idea how he’d fill it up

But on Xmas day

When he sleighed away

He left me      Right       Under the tree

I’m Eve,   I’m Santa’s little girl

I’m Eve,    Mama says surely that

I’m the best miracle     There ever was       Since the Wizard of Oz

I’m Eve, I’m Santa’s little gift,

I’m Eve,    Mama says the niftiest

Things                            arise                    When you fantasize

Mama said that when she dozed off on Xmas eve

She had no idea what was up his sleeve

On that Xmas day  When he sleighed away

He left me             With a ribbon                         Under the tree

I’m Eve,   I’m Santa’s little girl

I’m Eve,    Mama says surely that

I’m the best miracle     There ever was       Since the Wizard of Oz

I’m Eve,      I’m Santa’s little pride,

I’m Eve,      I’m a yuletide Carole

Bred and born      At the break of Xmas morn

The Aroma of You

Don’t remember the place,

Can’t recall where we met

But I’ll never forget

What the years can’t erase

The aroma of you.

Was it your place or mine?

Does it matter at all?

Thirty-fourth Street or Vine?

I will always recall

The aroma of you.

Was it twilight or moonglow?

Was the wind in your hair?

Just the memory of

Gently falling in love

With the sweet scent of you, everywhere

Was a robin nearby

Was it cloudy or clear?

But who cares ‘long as I

Can forever be near

The aroma of you.

The Same Old Guy

I’m still in love with the same old guy

Can’t get enough of the same old guy

Hand in glove with the, lovey dove with that same old guy

Of mine

I stay chic with the same old guy

Dance cheek to cheek with the same old guy

Play hide and seek with the, bless the meek with that  same old guy

Of mine.

Younger love can come and go,

Win and wane, ebb and flow

But even so as time goes on,

The hundred yard dash can’t beat the marathon

So I’ll get by with the same old guy,

Electrify just the same old guy

Dot the I with the, Touch the sky with the same guy

Of mine.

Curare

Curare- tip of the poison dart

Curare – its numbness fills my heart

There is no hope for the love

That I’d been dreaming of

There’s no cure for curare

The poison of love

Curare – you mocked me like a clown

Curare – you laughed when I was down

Now that I know for sure

The fate I must endure

I am stuck with curare

The poison of love

A romance that could never be,

Cupid’s arrow turned out to be

Dipped in curare

The poison of love

Oh What a Fool

(To music by Tamir Miller)

When I see you I lose my cool

When I see you I’m like a fool,

Knowing just what to say

Only after you’ve gone away.

Whenever I see you I just go and lose my cool,

When I see you I’m like a fool.

Until the day you came my way,

I was nonchalant and free

Twenty different girls with me

But now I pine away

Can’t get through another day

Without your love.

When I see you I lose my cool

When I see you I’m back at school

Flustered, much too shy to say

Might you be going my way?

Whenever I see you I just go and lose my cool

When I see you I’m like a fool.

(I wrote this song for Dalia Spiegel when she got married. Unfortunately she died two years ago. She was a lovely person, my late Mom’s favorite female vocalist)

Tonight we’ll kiss as Mister and missus

For the very first time

And years from now we’ll reminisce as

Our destinies intertwine.

Tonight we undertake to make

Our fondest dreams come true

And as a token of my love

This song I give to you.

So

Take this little tune this simple rhyme

This melody

And sing our song of love

A tune for two

Just you and me.

Take this simple song, this little tune

This harmony,

And tell me that you’ll sing, this song of love

With only me

The Girl from Down Under

I can’t get over the girl from down under

Though we’re oceans apart

I can’t get over the thrill of the thunder

That’s beating deep in my heart.

I can’t get over the girl from down under

So many time zones away

I can’t get over the woe and the wonder

Till she’s beside me to stay.

She’s my waltzing Matilda,

I’m her Crocka Dundee

Just get a ticket on Qantas

And be here in a day or three.

I can’t get over the girl from down under

I’m talking matrimony,

I can’t get over the girl from down under

But will it be Sydney or me?

She’s my little Koala,

I’m her kanga’ the ‘roo

Just make your way from Botany Bay,

I’ll be waiting for you.

I can’t get over the girl from down under

I’m dreaming of matrimony

I can’t get over the girl from down under

But will it be Sydney or me?

The Girl from Down Under

I can’t get over the girl from down under

Though we’re oceans apart

I can’t get over the thrill of the thunder

That’s beating deep in my heart.

I can’t get over the girl from down under

So many time zones away

I can’t get over the woe and the wonder

Till she’s beside me to stay.

She’s my waltzing Matilda,

I’m her Crocka Dundee

Just get a ticket on Qantas

And be here in a day or three.

I can’t get over the girl from down under

I’m talking matrimony,

I can’t get over the girl from down under

But will it be Sydney or me?

She’s my little Koala,

I’m her kanga’ the ‘roo

Just make your way from Botany Bay,

I’ll be waiting for you.

I can’t get over the girl from down under

I’m dreaming of matrimony

I can’t get over the girl from down under

But will it be Sydney or me?

Birthday Tune (for my wife Shuli)

Happy birthday to you my dear,

Here’s a tune that comes once a year,

Keep it as a small souvenir

Just for you.

Many happy returns my love

You’re the one I’ll be thinking of

May each wish that you’re dreaming of

Soon come true.

Birthdays come and then off they run

Quickly disappearing from view,

But in between you will have my heart

And the other parts of me too.

So happy birthday to you my sweet

Dance and dance till your joy’s complete

If there’s a girl that just can’t be beat

It is you.

Cinnamon on My Fries (I wrote this song for my vocalist friend Allan Cinnamon, I’m still working on the tune eight year later)

Verse:

Garlic, mustard, and pepper are fine for some,

Others relish relish, or maybe cardamom,

But for me, just one spice

Means paradise,

And so I’ll wait to take the hand

Of a girl who’ll understand…

Now I dig onion just as much as the other guys,

Don’t mind the smell, even if it makes me cry,

But from today, until the time of my demise,

I want a girl who’ll put cinnamon on my fries.

A ripe tomato is a healthy fruit, or veg,

I like my burger with a tiny slice, or wedge,

But don’t give me ketchup, I get stains upon my ties,

Gimme a girl who’ll put cinnamon on my fries.

Bridge:

Sister, you might think it quirky

That I like my turkey

Laced with copper spice,

But I am very wary

Of birds served with cranberry

So (be a doll and) if you want to treat me nice…

Bridge:

Dash it on my eggs once over

Splash it on my Dover

Sole and mushy peas

If you  fancy coque d’or

Or prawns just in from Sing’pore,

Eat whatever you please…

Cats want a doll who’ll sit and put on make up for hours

Some want a bird with supernatural powers

A saucy lass who’ll tell them little white lies

I’m waiting for –

That girl next door –

who’s gonna pour –

that cinnamon – I’ll be a winner, man

To get that cinnamon all over my fries.

(I said fries, dear…)

The Dead Sea Blues (I wrote this song for Ori the drummer, after he told me about an unconsummated tryst at the Dead Sea. The song took on a Biblical twist).

This song’s for the Christians, this song’s for the Jews,

This song’s for the Moslems, this song’s for the Druze,

And that is why it’s called, it’s called the “Dead Sea Blues”.

Yes, the Good Lord said to Mr. Lot, “Take care of your wife”

Yes, the Good Lord said to Mr. Lot, “You best take care of your wife-

If she looks back on Gomorrah, she’s going to lose her life”.

The Good Lord said to Mr. Lot “It wasn’t your fault”

Yes the Good Lord said to Mr. Lot “It wasn’t your fault-

Your wife looked back on Gomorrah and now she’s table salt.”

This song’s for the Christians, this song’s for the Jews,

This song’s for the Moslems, this song’s for the Druze,

And that is why it’s called, it’s called the “Dead Sea Blues”.

Dead Sea Blues, performed in Capetown

Love is Blind

She’s not blonde, but just brunette,

She’s not svelte, but heavy set

Her breath’s not sweet, but leatherette,

Yet she’s my doll

Her coiffure is a monsoon,

She can sing but not in tune,

Not five-foot-ten, but then again,

She’s got it all

Chorus:

(‘Cause) when I look into her eyes

My heart gets caught within her vise

There is not need to fantasize

Don’t need Bardots or Laurelies

(No need for telling little lies)