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I Want to Write a Standard

from Old Loves by Shelley Posen

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© 2020 Shelley Posen WELL DONE MUSIC BMI

lyrics

I want to write a standard
One that all the cats will swing
I want to write a standard
Sung by Frank and Tony and Judy and Bing
A song that hits what a million songs have missed before
A song that’ll still be sung in a thousand years or more—

I want to write a standard
One that Ella would scat right through
I want to write a standard
One that Louis would play red, hot, and blue
A song that Jerry or Jule might wish he’d written
A song that would be to musicians like cream to a kitten—

I want to write a standard
Like Burke and van Heusen wrote
I want to write a standard
Like Berlin did—every word and note
A song whose tune was what you might call atmospheric
A song that even Mercer would say, “By golly, that’s got some lyric!”—

I want to write a standard
Like Hart and Rodgers did so well
I want to write a standard
One that’s got the Gershwins’ magic spell
A song to be sung in a smoky bar by Billie
Or covered by Bob, Paul, Linda, Lady Gaga, or Willie—

I want to write a standard
To make Astaire step up and dance
I want to write a standard
One that’s filled with stardust and romance
A song that Arlen might find at the end of the rainbow
A song that Shaw has to play every night and disdain so—

I want to write a standard
One that makes folks fall in love
I want to write a standard
More than anything I can think of
A song that, I hope, when St. Peter is admitting
Will rate me a chair at the table where
Dorothy,
and Irving,
and Larry,
and Richard,
and Johnny,
and Ira,
and Jimmy,
and Hoagy,
and Cole are all sitting—
I want to write a standard!

credits

from Old Loves, released November 14, 2022
piano: John Sheard bass: Dennis Pendrith guitar: Steve Briggs percussion: Al Cross clarinet: Martin van de Ven

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all rights reserved

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Shelley Posen Ottawa, Ontario

SHELLEY POSEN is a Canadian songwriter and performer of his own and traditional songs. He writes in many styles and on many subjects. His songs are widely recognized for their wit, craftsmanship, and the profound effect many seem to have on listeners.

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