Riding in Cars with Boys - Part Eighteen

So last Saturday, Killian, Justin Not-Kevin and I went to the symphony. I know you're probably tilting your head to the side and squinting like I did when they first said they wanted to go. But then I found out that the symphony was playing The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and it all made a perfect kind of sense.

It was, of course, awesome, because I love those movies just as much as they do. And the crowd was...diverse. There were the usual season ticket holders in furs and ridiculously expensive jewelry. There were the jeans and hoodie crowd (we fell into that group) and there were those who showed up in full Middle Earth regalia. While we waited for the show to begin, the guys played "Spot the Girls from the Island." There were, unsurprisingly, quite a few there.

As the film was ending and the orchestra was playing the closing number, Not-Kevin and Killian were wiping their eyes.

Me: You've seen this a million times. Are you crying?

Not-Kevin: Frodo left with the elves, yo. Merry, Pippen and Sam are never going to see him again.

Killian: Whatever. They're manly tears.

Justin: You didn't cry?

Me: Well, yeah. But I cry at everything.

Killian: True story.

He'd be right. In fact, I got a bit teary on the way there when I played a new song for them - one written especially for them.

Yep. There's now a Riding in Cars with Boys song.

Let me explain. a few months ago, Jen Armintrout had this adorable guy write her a little promo ditty. It cracked me up and stuck with me for days. Well, when I head that he had a new venture called Songs for Strangers, I jumped on it. I'd been wanting to do something special for the guys since graduation is coming up and I'm going to miss them like crazy. I'll still see them - but it won't be the same as driving them around every day.

So anyway, let me tell you about Tommy. He's freaking awesome - a great guy with a great sense of humor, not to mention incredibly insightful and a consummate musician. He read all of the Riding in Cars with Boys post to get a feel for his subject matter and listened to the songs I'd included as a jumping off point for sound. In about a week, he came up with a rough draft, sent it to me for my input and shortly after that - bam! I had a song. An AWESOME song!

Now, I'd fully intended to save the song until closer to graduation.

But I suck at waiting.

I ruin a lot of Christmas and birthday presents this way.

So on the way to the symphony, I handed them each a lyric sheet and popped the CD into the stereo. They were absolutely floored. I wish you could have seen the looks on their faces. They went from flabbergasted awe to laughing to singing along.

Justin: I don't even...

Killian:  How did you...?

Not-Kevin: This is amazing. Seriously.

All three boys: Cancer bats!!!!


I think this is probably one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever given and I'm eternally grateful to Tommy. So grateful, in fact, that I'm having him write a song for my mom's birthday next month! If you know someone who loves music and you want to do something really special for him/her, check out Songs for Strangers. It's a fantastic experience. And yep, Tommy said I could post here and share it with you guys. :)

This is Existentialism in the Backseat!

Okay - here are the lyrics!


Existentialism in the back seat...  you boys are wiser than your years
Seeing you on stage after daily transportation is bringing me to tears
I've learned so much in my time with you and I'm not even the one in school
If you guys have taught me a valuable lesson it's that teenage boys are so
freaking cool

It never fails to amaze me the way you study and analyze
The absurdity of what goes on in the average teenage female mind
It's like if Socrates was born in the 90's and Aristotle's mom drove them around
And sometimes Kierkegaard joins them when their rationale needs to be less sound

And riding in cars with boys has been the best part of my day
Waiting in the parking lot with anticipation of all the amazing things you'll say
The world's not ready for your brilliance, they better get out of your way
I just want you to know I'm proud of you boys, every single day

Like Vladimir and Estragon waiting endlessly in vain
To sail to girl island where babes love nerds it's a magical place
But they don't fall prey to the sirens in uggs and mini skirts
They’re too smart for that and frankly I can't think of anything worse

Making fun of Cancer Bats, Twilight and other teenage status quo?
Who names their band Cancer Bats, something that I'll probably never know
Calling bullshit on each other but you'll always got each other's backs
Friendships are powerful so stay together, this trio is one that needs to last

And riding in cars with boys has been the best part of my day
Waiting in the parking lot with anticipation of all the amazing things you'll say
The world's not ready for your brilliance, they better get out of your way
I just want you to know I'm proud of you boys, every single day