This is a new tune called “Underdog Blues,” which I just submitted to an online songwriting contest. The challenge was to write a song from the first-person perspective of a superhero or super-villain.

Here are my lyrics:

UNDERDOG BLUES
c. Ryan Welton 2010

VERSE 1:
I got four paws
and a ton of flaws
I’m a lovable shoeshine boy
I go medieval
When the doers of evil
Set their sights on my pride and joy

And when it’s time to hand out truth
I make a mess of that phone booth


CHORUS:
Have no fear
Underdog is here
Underdog, baby that’s my name
Have no fear
Underdog is here
Underdog, baby that’s my name


VERSE 2:
I pop pills by the barrel
Go a little bit feral
On my Polly from dusk til dawn
And when my purebread wonders
When will I return
She laments with a simple song:

“Oh where, oh where has my baby gone?”
I reappear and wave my doggie wand


CHORUS:
Have no fear
Underdog is here
Underdog, baby that’s my name
Have no fear
Underdog is here
Underdog, baby that’s my name

BRIDGE:
I bark in rhyme
To combat sinister crime
We don’t need no Riff Raff ‘round here
But my motives are suspect
‘Cause I’m in love with a girl
‘Cause I’m in love with a girl
‘Cause I’m in love with a girl who’s a dog

BACK TO FACTS
c. 2009 Ryan Welton

VERSE 1:
We been through some wars together
And we survived them all unscathed
We made it past the worst fights ever
and here’s to never, ever, never fightin’ again

CHORUS:
Let’s go back to facts
No. 1, I love you girl
I can’t really explain what it feels like ‘cept that I love you
Let’s go back to facts
No. 2, You set me free
Except for the moments I’m captured by this spell that you put on me

VERSE 2:
How is not the question
What we need to ask is why
Why are we regressing?
When there ain’t no doubt in the world our affair is a blessing

CHORUS

SLOPPY IMPROV

CHORUS

OLD TIMEY
c. 2009 Ryan Welton

VERSE 1:
You chuckled at me when I brought you flowers
You didn’t even own a vase
On our first date, we talked for hours
I prefer a slower pace

CHORUS:
I’m old timey
I was taught a different way
I’m old fashioned
Livin’ in a different age

I’m old school, yo
I’m a throwback to the day
I’m old timey
At least that’s what they say

VERSE 2:
You’d better believe I’m big on romance
But what happens between us stays with me
I believe that trust is sacred
Go ahead and sing if you agree

I know it’s late. I’m sleeping in. However, I had to get my set list tweaked and final because I like to post ‘em online just in case anybody’s on the fence about coming out to the gig.

All 10 of you who read this.

The entire first set is instrumental jazz for the dinner crowd. I never like to get too loud while people are eating … but once they’re done and the drinks start flowing, the musical emphasis changes.

For the record, I bring several books with me, and this isn’t nearly the number of songs I have at least partially worked up in my gig book. Several of these are new from the last gig, which means two things: My repertoire is expanding, and — uh, well — these could be interesting. ;-)

My originals are marked, and the ones with asterisks by them are contingent upon folks who request them showing up. I’m only breaking out the Patrick Swayze if you show up, buster.

OTHELLO's SET LIST -- Jan. 24

SET 1:
1 - My Funny Valentine
2 - What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
3 - When Sunny Gets Blue
4 - Don't Get Around Much
5 - Feel Like Makin' Love
6 - Killing Me Softly
7 - Girl From Ipanema
8 - Waltz for Debby
9 - Someday My Prince Will Come
10 - Foggy Day
11 - Body and Soul
12 - I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
13 - Alfie
14 - All The Things You Are
15 - Devil May Care
16 - Misty
17 - Moonlight In Vermont
18 - Dolphin Dance

SET 2:
1 - Lost (original)
2 - Get Your Own Damned Cloud (original)
3 - Hot and Cold
4 - Black and Gold
5 - Walking in Memphis
6 - Rockford Files
7 - Bob Newhart Show *
8 - WKRP in Cincinnati
9 - Welcome Back
10 - Cheers
11 - Them Eyes (original)
12 - Love on the Radio (original)
13 - Lonely People (original)
14 - New York State of Mind
15 - Margaritaville
16 - She's Like The Wind *
17 - Make A Move On Me
18 - Downtown (original)
19 - Dear OG&E (original)

SET 3:
1 - Banditos
2 - Army
3 - Lithium
4 - I'm Still Standing
5 - Fame
6 - Wonderful
7 - Brown Eyed Girl
8 - Blister In The Sun (w/ Sesame Street)
9 - Don't Stop Believin'
10 - Private Dancer
11 - Obsession
12 - Isn't She Lovely
13 - Higher Ground
14 - Tightrope
15 - My Old School
16 - Arthur
17 - I Is All That You Got (original)
18 - Different World (original)
19 - Piano Man

EXTRA: Hit Me Baby One More Time