Sproglette has started dancing. She claps her hands. Squats down, straightens up and then bobs up and down like a buoy on choppy water.
I don't listen to nearly enough music, so when I need a laugh, which is Sproglette's raison d'etre, making me laugh, I'll break into song. I'll sing anything: Eensy weensy spider, This old man, Shoo fly shoo, In the jungle and she'll dance. It makes me laugh.
Yesterday, for no particular reason or maybe because I'm sick of singing nursery rhymes but still need my hourly laugh, I started singing When I Just Wear My Smile by Mama Cass Elliot. Sproglette clapped and bobbed. And I laughed. And sang. And laughed again.
My cousin taught me that song years ago and we used to perform it, dressed up in tacky 70s frocks, in front of our lucky parents over several summers. I loved that song. I still do. It reminds me of summers in Quebec, playing dress up, doing skits, being goofy and irresponsible.
Until I looked it up on YouTube, I don't think I had ever actually heard it sung by Mama Cass herself, so it surprised me that I still knew nearly all the correct lyrics as well as the actual key in which she sang it.
I keep clicking the play button. Sproglette keeps bobbing up and down.
I guess I've never been the high fashion kind
Mother nature gave me a good design
But where ever I go, I know I'll be in style
If I just wear my smile
Party time friends ask me over for tea
It's not the style of clothes that they wanna see
The way I look just drives them wild
When I just wear my smile
If my fella's in a hurry, he'll never have to worry
He knows that I'm a natural girl
I never worry if I'm showing, with all that I've got going
I just wash my face, forget about curls.
Society girls may never think I'm in
But I've been a few places that they've never been
Cause it never takes no more than just a little while
To put on that big smile
--Mama Cass Elliot
Who knew that that song would describe the kind of person I am today. That song is me. So very me.
Mind you, we used to also sing Do Your Boobs Hang Low all the time which pretty much sums me up as well.
Awesome! Now I know what song I will request you to sing the day we go for karaoke! :)
Posted by: tigermama | December 21, 2008 at 11:08 AM