Today, while I was at work, I was listening to KJAZZ. The DJ played a series of excellent Miles Davis numbers to which someone had the bright idea to add forgettable lyrics. I've heard several jazz instrumentals that lyricists have felt needed words -- even silly, repetitive words. Reminds me of the folks who insist all black and white movies must be colorized. Also reminds me of a user comment I read on an instrumental piece that Itunes offered as its free download of the week. It went something like: "This is a song?!! WHERE ARE THE WORDS?"
Apparently some folks feel that instrumental TV themes need words too. My cousin Lee Goldberg recently discussed a piece of BARNABY JONES fan fiction purportedly co-written (or at least written based on the notes of) Buddy Ebsen. The book included fan-drafted lyrics to the Barnaby Jones theme, which included these apocalyptic verses:
"When naked terror rides the highways
And sudden death waits in the street,
one man alone will roam the byways
confronting crime he must defeat
Barnaby, Barnaby -- what driving force has set your pace?
Barnaby, Barnaby -- can one man save the human race?"
Thank goodness "highways" rhymes with "byways." Otherwise, I'm sure the writer would have worked in the phrase, "I did it My Way."And sudden death waits in the street,
one man alone will roam the byways
confronting crime he must defeat
Barnaby, Barnaby -- what driving force has set your pace?
Barnaby, Barnaby -- can one man save the human race?"
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