The Count's Lament | Alan Menken Demo | Unused Sesame Street Song

Описание: In honor of Count von Count's birthday, here is Alan Menken's demo to "The Count's Lament," a song he composed for the character with lyrics by frequent collaborator Howard Ashman. Written for Sesame Street, the song went unused.

In an interview with Cultural Attaché, Alan said of the song and his time composing music for Sesame Street, "I was making a living. ‘We have an assignment for you.’ Yay! 35 bucks. Yay! I can pay my rent. Literally. Sesame Street was a wonderful, safe space. Howard and I wrote a song which is called The Count’s Lament. ‘Why I can’t I say ‘w.’ I want to and wish that I could.’ Oh, God. Howard’s brilliance. The most special part was being able to write something with Howard for Sesame Street."

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LYRICS
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OH, VHY CAN’T I SAY DOUBLE-U?.
I VANT TO AND VISH THAT I COULD.
I'D VHISPER AND VAVE, VIPE THE TEARDROPS AVAY
IF I COULD JUST SAY VORDS LIKE “VALRUS” AND “VOOD.”

OH, VHY CAN’T I SAY DOUBLE-U
IN “VINDOV” AND “VATER” AND “VALL?”
VITH MOST VORDS I’M ALL SET,
I PRONOUNCE THEM YOU BET,
BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THAT ONE LETTER AT ALL.

THIS COUNT CAN’T COUNT ON DOUBLE-U!
I'M FINE FROM A TO Z.
EXCEPT WHEN I GET TO DOUBLE-U,
IT ALWAYS COMES OUT LIKE A V.
I “A,” I “B,” I “C,” I “D,” I “R,” I “S,” AND I “Q!”
I'LL COUNT TO TEN AND HOPE THAT THEN
I'LL FIND THAT I'M ABLE TO DOUBLE-U TOO.

Vone, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! Vell... Vhat a vaste! Didn't vork! I'm all vet! Voe is me!

I CAN'T PRONOUNCE THE DOUBLE-U
IN “VINTER” OR “VALNUT” OR “VAX.”
SO FROM NOW ON VHEN I SEE A DOUBLE-U COMING,
I THINK I HAD BETTER MAKE TRACKS.

NO VAFFLES, NO VATER, NO VEREVOLVES, NO VHISTLING,
NO VEEDS IN MY GARDEN, NO VINE ON MY SHELF.
VHEN IT COMES TO VORDS THAT START VITH A U-KNOW-VUT
KEEP THEM AND DOUBLE U-SELF!

TAGS: #howardashman #alanmenken