One thing led to another.

I had to write a song for a girl named Michelle as part of the Barista Cycle project.

What’s the first thing you think about when you sing the name Michelle? Me, too.

Pretty soon I was writing about a girl working for the phone company (back in the days when there was pretty much just one big phone company, nicknamed Ma Bell). Having been a directory assistance operator as a temp for six weeks (long story, money plays a part in it), I’d heard the same thing from a few girls: “Here I am a single female surrounded by gorgeous men with steady jobs and great fashion sense, but…”

Once I was treading on the hallowed shadow of the Beatles, I found myself drawn to turning the song into one of those all the lonely people-type affairs, if anything for the license it might afford, allowing a cheap but hopefully satisfying excursion into lazy compassion.

So… we catch up with Michelle on a Saturday night, her charming, handsome through-the-week pals are otherwise engaged, even her cat is out for a night on the town…

Michelle (It’s Easy to Be Sad)

Michelle
Ma Bell was such a strange career choice
I know you did it to be around all them pretty boys
but I’m afraid you will never be annoyed
by smooth operators down in the break room
they’ve all got something else to do

Michelle
Ma bell was no place to meet boys
all the best they’re all just someone else’s toys
all of the strut and all of the noise
all the clothes and all the poise
they’ve all got something else to do
Michelle

It’s a saturday night michelle
It’s a saturday night michelle
It’s a saturday night michelle
And when Monday morning comes around
You know you’ll hear how it all went down
and you know how it’ll make you feel
the same old loneseome way
It’s easy to be sad
when all your boyfriends are gay