Lemon Zest

[Lee Knight]

I mentioned in this past Friday's FIT that maybe it was time to make my 15 year daughter a pop star! Time to write a modern pop song. Katy Perry is a fave of hers and I'll try to slant this in that sort of every-young-girl way.

 

By next weekend or maybe later, I'll have a whole new slew of synths, samplers, samples, drum machines and loops to mangle, courtesy of NI Komplete 8 and a new install of Pro Tools 10. Plenty of aural fun. Radio friendly sounds. Pardon my deviation from "art" but hey, I am a pop sort of guy as much as anything else...

 

It felt like it'd be fun to use a new term for bull{censored}. Her boy is telling lies. Maybe he's using, maybe he's playing the field behind her back, but he's lying and she smells it, and its odor is distinct, no matter what he sprinkles over and how well he does the sprinkling... She is, after all, a modern woman.

 

Lemon Zest = BS

 

C1

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

 

 

Not clear enough?

 

 

Latest full update:

 

V1

You looked surprised

Like I caught you with your pants down

You were just standing there

 

You had her bag in your hand

She had a spoiled frown

As if I care

 

Pre1

So if you gone and done it

I guess you really want it

Don't let me stand in your way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C1

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

Go on and spread all that... fresh lemon scent

But it won't make a dent

They're just lies you invent, boy

As if they were true

As if you were blessed...

Just more of your lemon zest

 

V2

Standing in a circle

You and your boys

You didn't see when I came in

 

Smoking in the shadows

So I didn't make a noise

You were wearing that stupid grin

 

Pre2

So if you gone and done it

I guess you really want it

Don't let me stand in your way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C2

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

Go on and spread all that... fresh lemon scent

But it won't make a dent

They're just lies you invent, boy

As if they were true

As if you were blessed...

Just more of your lemon zest

 

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

 

Bridge

Your smile can melt me

You're just a little child

But you're too cute for my own good

So let's make one thing understood

 

Short instrumental, abbreviated chorus repeats fading with..

 

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

[Chicken Monkey]

 

Not clear enough?

 

 

My fear is that not many young pop music fans have the culinary savvy to know what lemon zest is.

[Lee Knight]

V1

You looked surprised

Like I caught you with your pants down

You were just standing there

You had her bag in your hand

She had a spoiled frown

As if I care

 

Pre1

Doin' things you shouldn't oughta

But if you really wanna

Don't let me get in the way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C1

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

 

V2

You and the fellas

Standing in a circle

You didn't see when I came in

You need your time

And don't I want it that way

You were all were wearing that stupid grin

 

Pre2

Doin' things you shouldn't oughta

But if you really wanna

Don't let me get in the way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C2

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

[Lee Knight]

My fear is that not many young pop music fans have the culinary savvy to know what lemon zest is.

 

My informal focus group says they do. Further research is required. They all cook now a days. It's the Food Channel generation. A casual questioning had all five and separate questionings say, yeah, it's that great stuff you get from grating the outside of a lemon. Then I asked, "How about if you called the lies your boyfriend tells you lemon zest. Like he's trying to cover up the bull{censored}?" They all laughed and said... "Hah! Lemon zest! Exactly!"

 

I don't think the term will be an issue. My execution might be though...

[Lee Knight]

Tag:

 

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

[Lee Knight]

One specific concern:

 

You and the fellas

Standing in a circle

You didn't see when I came in

You need your time

And don't I want it that way

You were all were wearing that stupid grin

 

I hope it's clear the boys were smoking weed. My concern, and this might seem odd... well, my kid doesn't smoke weed. She has, and her whole arsenal of friends still do, but she made the choice (we tested, evil parents that we are) to not. All her young minded friends are now unfortunately using all sorts of drugs. Coke, heroin even. That's the truth of today. My kid is no square, she just watches her old friends start to wilt away and... she decided to not. She very popular but refuses to hang with any of her old friends using.

 

My concern is sort of a reverse concern. Will the young pop singer appear to be a judgmental square. Would it be safer, as far as universal appeal goes, to leave out the boys smoking weed?

 

P.S. I'm not a pot smoker and never have been. It makes me paranoid. In my wild rock dude days however, I was a chemical wreck. So I'm not blind here. Literally all of my wife's and my acquaintances smoke weed. So... that's the truth of it. No judgment on the subject. Live and let live, unless you're a kid, hello?

[stickboymusic]

I like this

 

with regard to the weed verse above.... i think id maybe leave it... have to say from those lines i dont think its obvious its about taking drugs (?)

 

also.... do kids say "fellas"..... they wouldnt do here but maybe they do there?

[Lee Knight]

Fellas was suspect from the start. I'm going to check with the "experts" cause a lot of stuff I hear I can't tell what's sarcastic or not. Fellas I'm hearing but... I'm thinking "friends".

 

You and yer friends

Standing in a circle

You didn't see when I came in

You need your time

And don't I want it that way

Smokin' and wearing that silly grin

[stickboymusic]

 

Fellas was suspect from the start. I'm going to check with the "experts" cause a lot of stuff I hear I can't tell what's sarcastic or not. Fellas I'm hearing but... I'm thinking "friends". You and yer friends Standing in a circle You didn't see when I came in You need your time And don't I want it that way You were passing it 'round/pass it to the left/take a hit, pass it on/ , wearing that stupid grin

 

 

Im failing on your rhyme scheme/meter..... maybe there isnt one yet

 

some of them alts certainly clear the idea up

 

im not sure friends is right either..... dweebs, dudes, jocks...whatever.... there must be a word that feels more right

[Lee Knight]

You and your buddies

Standing in the hall

You didn't see when I came in

You were gettin' blind

Low enough to crawl

Wearing that stupid grin

 

Lili Allenesque

[Lee Knight]

Lemon Zest

 

V1

You looked surprised

Like I caught you with your pants down

You were just standing there

You had her bag in your hand

She had a spoiled frown

As if I care

 

Pre1

Doin' things you shouldn't oughta

But if you really wanna

Don't let me get in the way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C1

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

 

V2

You and your buddies

Standing in the hall

You didn't see when I came in

You were gettin' blind

Low enough to crawl

Wearing that stupid grin

 

Pre2

Doin' things you shouldn't oughta

But if you really wanna

Don't let me get in the way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C2

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

 

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

[Lee Knight]

Bridge

 

Your smile can melt me

You're just a little boy

But you're too cute for my own good

So let's make one thing understood

[LCK]

Is it because you live near a lemon grove, or just up the coast from Lemon Grove? Trans: I think your writing on this is first rate (as usual), I'm just not getting the lemon zest thing. It sounds forced to me. Everything else sounds natural except the lemon zest.

 

But, hey, I don't keep up with how all the cool cats and kittens are conversatin' these days. Like, I'm a real square, man... pure L-7.

 

[video=youtube;fsyUTN9Luxc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsyUTN9Luxc

 

LCK

[Lee Knight]

 

Im failing on your rhyme scheme/meter..... maybe there isnt one yet

 

 

Good catch.

[Lee Knight]

 

Is it because you live near a lemon grove, or just up the coast from Lemon Grove? Trans: I think your writing on this is first rate (as usual), I'm just not getting the lemon zest thing. It sounds forced to me. Everything else sounds natural except the lemon zest. But, hey, I don't keep up with how all the cool cats and kittens are conversatin' these days. Like, I'm a real square, man... pure L-7. LCK

 

 

You may be right.

 

My friend, GM of a machining company, was telling of his trials with his sales staff. "They just keep sprinkling on the lemon zest". Bing! I liked it and like the way it sounded intriguing. I got what he meant right away though. So, maybe it's just me. It's like cherry coke and cotton candy and all the things girls think is dandy. It's a metaphorical visual. And hopefully something slightly nonsensical yet fun.

 

Plus, I keep hearing a cool sizzling bacon kind of synth sound as hook. Citrusy.

 

I don't know. Just running with it. Anybody else?

[oldgitplayer]

I'm all for introducing new metaphors into colloquial speech. Maybe because I do it in everyday conversation.

But the language is enriched by ideas - some stick and some fade - that's OK.

 

I got the 'lemon zest' metaphor on 1st reading, and although I'm 5 minutes older than 15, I don't see why it shouldn't fly with that generation.

It sounds good as a pair of words, and that's what youngsters latch on to - stuff that sounds good as it slides off their tongue.

 

So I think you might have gathered that I'm saying, 'Yes' - why not run with it.

[Lee Knight]

Citrusy!

 

Like lemon fresh goodness on a pile of dung.

[ido1957]

Coming along well, I like the Lemon Zest idea. You are lucky to have a daughter who is musical AND has a good head on her shoulders.

[Lee Knight]

 

Coming along well, I like the Lemon Zest idea. You are lucky to have a daughter who is musical AND has a good head on her shoulders.

 

 

Don't I know it. Thank you.

[Lee Knight]

With bridge...

 

V1

You looked surprised

Like I caught you with your pants down

You were just standing there

You had her bag in your hand

She had a spoiled frown

As if I care

 

Pre1

Doin' things you shouldn't oughta

But if you really wanna

Don't let me get in the way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C1

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

 

V2

You and your buddies

Standing in the hall

You didn't see when I came in

You were gettin' blind

Low enough to crawl

Wearing that stupid grin

 

Pre2

Doin' things you shouldn't oughta

But if you really wanna

Don't let me get in the way

And boy I can't wait to hear what you gotta say

 

C2

Just give it a rest

That's just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

Go on and sprinkle that... sweet smelling mix (lemon zest)

Over all of your dirty tricks (lemon zest)

Like some kinda quick fix, boy

As if it were true

As if you were blessed, boy

Just give it a rest...

Just more of your lemon zest

(lemon zest... lemon zest)

 

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

 

Bridge

Your smile can melt me

You're just a little boy

But you're too cute for my own good

So let's make one thing understood

 

An abbreviated chorus then fade with..

 

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

Cover up your bs... with more lemon zest

[Monkey Uncle]

Yep, the lemon zest idea is a keeper. I had never heard the expression before, but I got it immediately. I can't say I'm in touch with the teenage crowd, but it sounded pretty catchy to me.

 

FWIW, I liked the earlier version of V2 better. You were right to replace the word "fellas," which sounded pretty square. But I would go with "boys" instead of "friends." "Friends" is gender-neutral and doesn't do as well at conveying the image of a group of guys standing around getting zonked. The real gem in the original verse is the "standing in a circle" line, which does a much better job than the current verse of establishing the image of a bunch of guys smoking weed. As it's worded now, the verse sounds pretty generic and flat. To me, "gettin' blind/ low enough to crawl" conveys an image of drinking more than smoking pot. Which, I guess, would work for this song, but it just doesn't have the catchy sizzle of a group of guys standing in a circle and passing a joint. Though going back to the original would require some work to repair the rhyme scheme.

[dramey]

I don't have a problem with the term Lemon Zest, I'm just not sure it works in a song aimed at kids. Sure, the intent is fine, but most kids would just say "bull{censored}"... or worse. It comes off sounding like a term coined by an adult trying to be hip. Just my opinion, I'm not a kid anymore myself.

[kurdy]

 

I don't have a problem with the term Lemon Zest, I'm just not sure it works in a song aimed at kids. Sure, the intent is fine, but most kids would just say "bull{censored}"... or worse. It comes off sounding like a term coined by an adult trying to be hip. Just my opinion, I'm not a kid anymore myself.

 

 

I disagree

[Lee Knight]

 

I don't have a problem with the term Lemon Zest, I'm just not sure it works in a song aimed at kids . Sure, the intent is fine, but most kids would just say "bull{censored}"... or worse. It comes off sounding like a term coined by an adult trying to be hip. Just my opinion, I'm not a kid anymore myself.

 

 

That might be true. It has crossed my mind from the moment I snagged the expression from my friend. Though... imagine Katy Perry singing this and in her video she is blowing palmfuls of a yellowish white substance into the camera with a set color scheme of yellow, pink and white. Whipped cream and cotton candy. And she's pissed at who she's singing to... maybe holds her nose as she uncovers one of the many yellowish white piles.

 

That's the kind of slant I'm going for. I may be way off cause I get what you're saying. And... there is a possibility I might swap Lemon Zest for something else in the cotton candy/cherry coke vein. Though nothing is coming to mind yet...

 

I haven't had any further time with my expert as she's on a weekend sleepover. Tonight...

 

BTW, this isn't aimed at "kids" per se. But whoever listens to pop radio. That ranges from 10 to 40. Katy Perry/Bruno Mars/Lady Gaga/Maroon 5/etc.

[Lee Knight]

V2 (ver.1) ideas while cleaning up the rhyme

 

You and your boys

Standing in a circle

You didn't see when I came in

You need your time

And don't I want it that way

You were wearing that stupid grin

 

 

Circle is kind of a tough rhyme. As in... there aren't really any.

 

You and your boys

Standing in a circle

You didn't see when I came in

A ring of morons

With less cool than Urkel

Y'all wearing that stupid grin

 

You and your boys

Standing in the round

You didn't see when I came in

Not like I was sneakin'

Still, I didn't make a sound

Y'all wearing that stupid grin

 

You and your boys

Standing in a ring

You didn't see when I came in

You need your time

But really! This kinda thing?

Y'all wearing that stupid grin