Lyr Req/Add: Mr. Soundman (Donohue; Posen)

Subject: RE: lyric search/ADD - Mr. Soundman
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 04:56 AM

Love this version, too. I'll spread it around to the men in the headphones!

RtS
(When I "perform" they only need to find the "OFF" switch!)

Subject: ADD - Mr. Soundman
From: PHJim
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 10:58 AM

With Shelley's permission...

Mr. Soundman
© 1999 I. Sheldon Posen   Well Done Music BMI
tune: "Mr. Sandman" (Pat Ballard)

Test, test, test, test, test, test (26 tests)

Mr. Soundman, mike me well, please
Give me the best noise-to-signal DBs
Take me away to pure audio heaven
With a Shure vocal mike SM87
            Soundman, please tweak the tone
            So I don't sound like an old gramophone
            Enhance, compress, or emulate
            Mr. Soundman make me sound great.

Test, test, test, test, test, test (26 tests)

Mr. Soundman, (miked spoken voice: Yesss?) I'll sound superb
If you just give me a touch of reverb
But not too much or I know I'll sound spacy
And watch the bottom so it isn't too bass-y
            Soundman, I beg you, please
            When I'm on stage or recording CDs
            Transistor, tube, or solid state
            Mr. Soundman, make me—please, please, please—
            Mr. Soundman, make me sound great!

Test, test, test, test, test, test (26 tests)

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm9r_FutzDU

Subject: RE: lyric search/ADD - Mr. Soundman
From: PHJim
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 11:52 AM

Thanks Joe,
I took your advice and just got a reply from Shelley. I'll post the lyrics when I get his permission.

Subject: RE: lyric search/ADD - Mr. Soundman
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 07:07 PM

Hi, PHJim. Why don't you ask Shelley Posen? You can contact him through his Website, http://www.shelleyposen.com/. If you get an answer, please post it here.

Oh.... and I see there's a new Finest Kind album coming out soon. I can hardly wait.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: lyric search/ADD - Mr. Soundman
From: PHJim
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 10:49 AM

Thanks Kevin. That's not the one I was after, but it's a good one. I'm a fan of Pat Donohue, but I've never heard this one.

I think it may have been Friends Of Fiddler's Green or Finest Kind who performed the version I heard. I seem to imagine Shelly Posen singing it.

Subject: RE: lyric search/ADD - Mr. Soundman
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 07:31 AM

There must have been an earlier thread with this in as I already had it in my files and I remember printing it out for the sound guy at my local club who enjoyed it!

RtS
(Already with one hearing aid!)

Subject: RE: lyric search - Mr. Soundman
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 02:00 PM

Oh, so THAT's why it sounded so familiar. Pat Donohue is/was a regular on the Prairie Home Companion, and I'll betcha I heard the song there. Good find, Kevin.
I notice, however, that the Donohue lyrics don't have mention of bass or reverb, that you'll find in the first post. I'm guessing the requester heard something built on Donohue's original parody.

-Joe-

---

Also on Prairie Home Companion - October 17, 1998.

Subject: ADD: Mr. Soundman (Pat Donohue)
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 01:39 PM

I found these lyrics here. http://www.eartunes.com/ur/audiology-song-113.shtml

MR. SOUNDMAN
Lyrics by: Pat Donohue
Sung to the tune of: Mr. Sandman
Performed by: Pat Donohue

Mr. Soundman, Turn up the sound
So they can hear me for miles around
Use all the volume that you can manage,
I wanna do a little hearing damage.
Mr. Soundman, you know what I need
Keep on a-crankin' till their eardrums bleed.
I'm gonna terrorize this crowd,
Mr. Soundman turn me up loud.

Mr. Soundman, I'd like there to be
Lots less of everyone and lots more of me.
If you could take me up a little higher
To just before you blow your amplifier.
Mr. Soundman, cause me some pain
I don't need earplugs or novacaine
I ain't too good, but I ain't proud.
Mr. Soundman, turn me up loud.

Mr. Soundman, what did you say?
I must have blacked out. I think I'm okay.
You really got me with that high pitched squealin'
I can't hear nothin' but I like the feelin'.
Mr. Soundman, you got it right
My ears are ringin' for the rest of the night
It's always up and never down
Mr. Soundman turn up…
I wanna crash and burn up…
Mr. Soundman, turn up the sound!

Subject: lyric search - Mr. Soundman
From: PHJim
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 12:21 PM

A few years back I heard someone from the Toronto folk scene (I think maybe Shelly Posen?) do a version of Mr. Sandman for their sound check. I recall it starting with, "Test, test, test, test, test, test..." and one of the verses went something like:

Mr. Soundman, I'd sound superb
If you'd just give me a little reverb,
But not too much or else I'll sound spacey
And make sure my guitar is not too bassy.

Sound familiar?