Friday, February 24, 2012

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



21 comments:

Brynn Paulin said...

Totally made me cry

SusanR said...

OMG - that was totally awesome!! Brought a tear to my eye also. :)

Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

Bronwyn Green said...

I'm glad I'm not alone in my teary-ness.

S.W. Vaughn said...

Dude, I am weeping. But in a good way. :-)

I needed this today! Thank you (and thanks to the boys too)...

Also -- totally jealous of your LOTR symphony experience!

Silver Pixies said...

OMFG this is awesome!!! And Your so not the only one in tears...

Kris Norris said...

OMG... I love that song... it's so freaking perfect. I cried too... damn sentimental lyrics.

I can't believe you won't be driving them around much longer... they're lucky to have you... I hope they know how special you really are... of course your boys do, lol...

Great idea. The song is awesome. Very Green Day and I love Green Day... this guy rocks.

Patricia Kiyono said...

Very sweet. What a fitting tribute to a very special group of young men.

Susilien said...

You and Tommy the writer are so awesomesauceness. My laptop is getting wet. Its wonderful and evil and waaay to good to be. You are the ultimate Mom taxi.

So jealous of the LOTR symphony experience and the Riding in Cars with Boys experience.

Hugs,

Margaret Yang said...

Yes, but they are manly tears...

Gwendolyn Cease said...

I love it!!!! Just reading the lyrics made me think of conversations you've shared with us. I'm so glad you are so unselfish and allow us to enjoy these amazing young men too.

Jenny Trout said...

This is going to be the very best present they ever get.

Carol Lynne said...

Yep, joining in on the cry-fest.

Chris said...

Completely and utterly amazing! And sweet. :)

Kel said...

Okay, so I'm in the minority. I didn't cry, but I did laugh and dance...

which I think sums up the whole Riding in Cars with Boys vibe pretty well. :)

Jason said...

how freaking awesome!!!

Simone Anderson said...

Yup, teary-eyed here too. Definitely reminded me of all of the stories that you've shared with us. Thank you for sharing and while I'm sorry that you won't be driving them around anymore, it's wonderful that they are so close.

Donna said...

Amazing!

Excuse me, I need to go get a tissue now.

Hugs,
Donna

Tommy said...

You guys are TOO sweet. :')

Anonymous said...

You are a really freaking cool mom. This is something they'll hopefully treasure the rest of their lives.

Trina Lane

Stephanie Michels, author said...

How very totally cool. Glad you could find Tommy and give the boys this memory. Wow! Seniors. How
quickly the years have passed.

Tess Grant said...

I just got a chance to listen and read! Fabulous.

I was at LOTR on Friday night...I cried all my mascara off.