Our son has discovered parodies like so many in the under-10 set. He understands that parody means to “produce a humorously exaggerated imitation of a writer, artist or genre.” After a steady diet of a variety of parodies, and him riffing body-function-related parodies of the parodies, I challenged him to see if we could do one.
I figured it would be a teachable moment — it’s okay to take a risk and try something even if the chances of failure were fairly high; it was an opportunity to try tools we had no experience with like GarageBand and iMovie; and a chance to learn when you can/can’t use other people’s content. It was also a project where we would both share the risk of looking like complete idiots… but maybe we might amuse a few people along the way.
First up we had to find a song to parody. Not so easy. It needed to be something recognizable or what is the point?, as well as something you might be able to write alternate lyrics for. After checking out some best sellers on iTunes we settled on Shawn Mendes’ song ‘Stitches’ which fortunately also had a karaoke version by Hitz1Karaoke. (After listening to it, the other parent in the household snarked, “It’s not like you’d be making that song any worse than it already is!”)
We can’t remember how we decided to make the parody about labradors, but it works! Plus we got to star our own yellow labrador.
New lyrics were my department (see them below) and the vocals were my son’s. After trying the bedroom and the storage closet we worked out that our car seemed about the most sound-proof location for recording him singing. He coached me on using the software over a series of weeks, having learned the basics last year from his awesome musician sitter Bee. We used our own images and videos, plus a selection of Creative Commons licensed images from Flickr and Wikimedia Commons. Those photographers are credited.
This is the extremely amateur result, which made us appreciate how much expertise and effort goes into those very polished parodies that get millions of views. We will be less dismissive and more appreciative parody viewers in future.
‘Labrador Anthem’ Lyrics
Lick! Lick! I am a Labrador,
More popular than any breed before,
Yes I am loving to the core
But prepare yourself for joy mixed up with chore
Got a feeling that haven’t read
That handbook provided by the vet,
Don’t you know that I will be…
Energy!
CHORUS:
Why is this food so little?
Dude you know I need more kibble!
I’ve a boundless appetite,
I’m a Labrador, that’s right.
No it’s not a fable,
A single wag can clear a table,
I’m a lover, no I don’t fight,
I’m a Labrador, that’s right.
Hey it is not me that is bad.
Put on the leash I’ll take you for a drag.
The reason that I lead the blind,
Work police and rescue,
Here’s a clue: my IQ.
Got a feeling that you’re quite naïve,
Because exercise is what I need.
For two years I’ll be a puppy…
Come on!
CHORUS
[x3:]Gonna bring you this back
Retriever in the pack
Gonna bring you this back
Ain’t nothing I lack
CHORUS
I’m a lover, no I don’t fight
I’m a Labrador, that’s right
I’m a lover, no I don’t fight
I’m a Labrador, that’s right!
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