I am excited to tell you about my brand-new series: ParentZ Bop, an opportunity for you to rewrite your favorite songs from the perspective of a parent. Confused? Allow me to explain. A few months ago, my hilarious friend and blog comrade, Jean of Mama, Schmama, rewrote the Anna Kendrick hit “Cups” and changed it to “Sippy Cups: A Song For Parents.” She sent the lyrics over to me, and I performed it on You Tube. In case you missed it, you can check it out right now:
Jean’s clever idea got me thinking- sure, she is unusually witty and articulate, but if she came up with alternate lyrics for popular songs, I bet other parents would want to do the same thing!  So I’m presenting you with a challenge: rewrite a well-known song with your own lyrics about life as a parent, and I’ll perform it in a video! You don’t have to be a blogger to participate, but if you are, I’ll give you a shout-out with a post on my blog, and you can write your own post sharing your lyrics and the video of me singing your song. To make it legit, here’s a fun graphic you can use!
The sky’s the limit: redo new songs like “What does the MOM say?” or put your own spin on classics like “You gotta fight…for your right… to POTTY (with the door closed)”. Nothing’s off limits here- share your stories of public meltdowns, sleepless nights, potty training disasters, or family mealtime! If I can’t play the song on the guitar, I’ll use piano or improvise with my stellar collection of rhythm instruments.
In case you are doubtful of my skills and need a visual resume, here are some more clips of my ahem, “work.”
Here I am with an original piece, “The Mother’s Day Blues,”
And here I am singing “The 12 Days of HerStories,” written to celebrate the launch of our new book in December.
Have an idea but not sure if it’ll work? Send me a message on Facebook or Twitter, or email me using the Contact Me form at the top.
This post is part of Finish the Sentence Friday.
This week we had an optional VLOG (Yes, I cheated by singing instead of talking. You gotta problem with that?)Â “I want to tell you…” or “The best dream I ever had was…”
Next week’s sentence is: “I was found guilty…” (co-hosted by the hilarious Don of Don of All Trades)
Also- I’m going to be out of town next week, so I will be missing out on the fun! Catch you on the 21st! Happy Valentine’s Day, and link up with one of our other lovely ladies… or Don.
Your hosts:
Me
Janine at Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Kristi at Finding Ninee
Kate at Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine?
Link up with us below, and share your favorite posts with #FTSF!
Ok, so that was awesome, especially the sippy cup percussion! Off to think of some cool lyrics for you…. And props to Jean, too! 🙂 So fun to “see” you!
I know, Jean’s genius inspired it all! Bring on the hilarious lyrics, my friend!
“My mom’s cooking dinner and my brother’s being a jerk. Mama, what’s going on? Can’t I get an up-up?” You rap, right?
Do I get to put that pretty button on my blog because I contributed? Also, please let me know who’s going next and I’ll go back to link to theirs on that post.
Hello! Totally awesome idea.
Would it be all right if I got my 6’4 white boy brother to do the rapping? It would be way funnier. And I am bowing down to you- the genius that began this whole endeavor! Proud to call you my friend!
So jealous, because I seriously cannot for the life of me carry a tune. My husband jokes that when I do sing that somewhere I dog is crying, lol! But seriously, awesome and totally loved how you answered the prompt tonight 🙂
Thanks Janine! Yeah, I felt a little bit lame- this was obviously not recorded recently, but it seemed like it would fit so I couldn’t help myself!
You and Jean-you could be the next hot thing. She writes the songs, and you perform them. Oh yeah… I’ll be sending you something soon lady, but I don’t think it will be nearly as cool as Jean’s song! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait! Bring it on, my witty sister!
OH. I’m all over this. If I can get my act together….I already owe you a friendship story break up thingy. 🙂 But, I have a song in mind that I already sing to my kids. Now, to get busy. 🙂
Let the record reflect- you sent your song within the first 24 hours- you rock! xo
I love when you sing! I wish I was more creative about making new lyrics. I bet Isaiah could do it. Maybe that’s what we’ll offer! Isaiah will make you some new lyrics!
See- there are SO many possibilities here. Parents rewrite lyrics… kids rewrite lyrics… this is gonna be fun! 🙂
I cried a little leaky happy seeing your singing face doing Jean’s song.
Like, you know. I F*CKING LOVED IT. Wait, hang on, going to replace the U with a * just in case and all. Back.
So I have to ask. Do you want all of the songs to be funny? Or can they be whatever? I’ve been making up songs based on real songs for Tucker since he was born. Both of us would likely appreciate hearing them from somebody who can actually sing…
xoxo and you. you you you. mwah.
Oh you are so sweet and awesome. And how perfect would it be if YOU, the hilarious one, write a sweet and touching song? I would adore that. For real. xoxo
Heavens- Jean’s song is replaying as I type. I shall let it lull some words of wisdom from me. You can both sing and play! Impressive. My grade 5 teacher told me I sounded like a rusty door when I sang so that gives you an idea of my talent in that department. I can plunk out doe-a-deer-a-female-deer etc. on the piano and I used to play Mission Impossible on the flute. However, as I and I suspect many, many others are not in your league you have come up with a brilliant idea. Love it.
Why thank you! I wouldn’t have ever thought of it were it not for Jean. 🙂 I think it will be fun!
Ok, I love, love, LOVE this! What a great idea! I’m going to start thinking of what songs I can change the lyrics to. And I can’t believe I never saw the HerStories video. I don’t know how I missed that! Loved it! Great job on the vlogging.
You were born to rewrite song lyrics, my friend. It’s in your blood.
I’ve been doing this for two years. It’s fun! I have a monthly column over at Funny Not Slutty where I do song parodies and do a video. http://FunnyNotSlutty.com.
So cool, Linda! I love it!
Well, this would be a perfect arrangement for me because I can’t sing to save my life!! I imagine that I could come up with some good teenage inspired lyrics to a song!! Love this idea!
Oh, you would be the BOMB at this song lyric thing. Do it, do it! 🙂
Hahaha, I so love to make up words to songs, so I’m all over this.
Damn you for being such a beautiful and talented person, Stephanie. You rock and Jean’s song rocked.
Yours is going to knock their socks off, Don. I’m sure that sounds somehow provocative, but it’s true. Your song kicks ass.
Ha, thanks for the shout out on your post too. People clicking to read the “Hilarious” donofalltrades will find a bummer post that’s the complete opposite of hilarious. Lol, maybe that in of itself is hilarious?
You should totally tell that story about your teacher dying. That would get ’em!
Oh this sounds like fun. Count me in 🙂
Yay! It’s officially a party!
Soo jealous. You can sing and play guitar. How awesome and you can rock that cute hat. I think you should sing all your blogs. 🙂
Aw, thanks! (blushing.)
What a great idea….but since my singing is better kept to myself, I don’t think I’ll be taking advantage of it. 🙂
😉 It will be fun to see what people come up with!
Love this idea!! I am not musical, but I do like to play with words. My wheels are turning. Sicne my vlog involved Adam Levine I’m thinking I might have to play with some Maroon 5 Lyrics! 🙂
Yes! Maroon 5 would be a great choice… 🙂
I adore this idea! I love parodies but mom parodies, those are gold!
I can’t wait to see more!
By the way, you are so brave, LOL!
Ha! Thanks! Brave or stupid… not sure… 🙂
LOVE this idea! Let’s see what I can do…with my husband’s help because he knows popular music better and writes better lyrics than I do.
Bring it on! This will be fun!
Ooh – I like this challenge! I may make this a family activity on our eight million hour drive to Disney in April. Nothing in mind yet, but I’ll just wait for brilliance to strike.
That’s a great idea for a road trip- the perfect family project! I’m sure brilliance will strike at some point…
Mmmkay very clever on the Sippy Cup lyrics but what I LOVED was you singing the Mother’s Day Blues. WOW! Awesome stuff right there.
Aw, thanks Lizzi! I really appreciate that!
You have a great voice! I’d participate too but I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Looking forward to hearing more of your renditions!
Thanks so much Bianca!
What?! you play guitar and sing?! Love it, you have a great voice. I will hope one day someone will re-write the lyrics to “Baby Got Back”-parent style. Perhaps they could call it, “Baby got Rash”. I dunno, it sounds like it has potential.
You’re so right- it does have potential! And thanks!
Wow, an incredible singer, too. Nice job!
Thanks so much!
I love everything about this! The song, your voice, your new series. It’s just too much fun!
Thank you so much, Rachel! I think it will be fun!
You and Jean are absolutely brilliant. I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Watch me turn into Simon (or Paula, or Randy – totally dating myself here) I know the lyrics are all Jean but I loved how you made it yours with the little “I don’t know where I should go” mime and the very impressive and professional sippy cup juggling.
The idea is brilliant. You’re gonna be big, lady.
Insane in the mom brain was obsessed with this idea once, and I kept telling her she should do it. I can’t sing. Like my voice can knock an orchestra out of tune. It sounds like a constipated horse surrounded by cats riding in a car. It’s really bad. The kids straight ask me to stop singing every time I sing. But anyway, not only was she going to do the CD, she was going to make music videos for these songs. Needless to say, she never followed through on it (she chased the Prancercise parody instead), and I have lyrics already forming to some songs. I will most definitely send at least one your way. You should consider music videos too, like rappers but with more clothes on the dancers.
I’m SO late to the party. I read about this last week, fell in love with it, and then never got the chance to comment. I am going to wrack my brain and come up with something because if I can make you sing, my life is complete 🙂