A few weeks ago, while in the ER, I heard a nurse ask a patient, “When were you born?” and she replied, “I don’t have a birthday anymore.” I instantly recognized the perfect title for a country heartache song and wrote the lyrics in a few days. I Don’t Have a BirthdayAnymore is one of four songs I have written. The others are Don’t Dream About Me, Top of the World and Cannabis Cannibal.
Alas, I am neither a singer nor a musician although members of a local senior coffee club have enjoyed my a cappella versions of my work. I am looking for a collaboration with a local country band. If my lyrics interest you, let me know.
LYRICS
I Don't Have a Birthday Anymore
By Robert S Urbanek Genre: Country, female singer
(intro: instrumental of chorus)
No friends at my party Daddy hit mommy I open gifts I close my eyes I don’t have a birthday anymore
I blow out the candles He blew out my heart Small slice of cake Small slice of life I don’t have a birthday anymore
(bridge) Any day would be better than the day I was born Any life would be better than the life I began And I can't do this anymore
I don't have the papers to prove who I am If I leave now I can't come back I don't have a birthday anymore
My friends are gone or dead Aunts and uncles too My dog is sick Can’t pay that bill I don’t want a birthday anymore Any day would be better than the day I was born Any life would be better than the life I began And I can’t do this anymore
(instrumental of bridge)
Waiting in the ER with a failing heart When were you born? I just tell them I don’t have a birthday anymore
(slower) Give me half a tombstone for a life half lived Just write the day I passed away I don’t need a birthday anymore
Don't Dream About Me
By Robert S Urbanek Genre: Bluegrass, female singer
(intro: instrumental of chorus)
Don’t dream about me if you got no plan Don’t dream about me if you got no job Don’t dream about me if you got no money Don’t dream about me Just don’t
Don’t tell me about your stealin’ Don’t tell me about your dealin’ Don’t tell me about your low-life friends Don’t tell me Just don’t
(bridge:) I won’t have a bun in the oven if your butt is sittin' in jail Hurry up baby, I want a good life Hurry up baby, you’re movin’ too slow
(instrumental of bridge)
Don’t dream about me if you got no plan Don’t dream about me if you got no job Don’t dream about me if you got no money Don't dream about me Just don't
I won’t have a bun in the oven if you can’t make any dough Hurry up baby, I want a good life Hurry up baby, you’re movin’ too slow
Don’t tell me about your stealin’ Don’t tell me about your dealin’ Don’t tell me about your low-life friends Don’t tell me Just don’t
(slower) Don’t dream about me But get back to me . . . baby if you’re workin’ nine to five if you’re free and still alive
Top of the World
By Robert S Urbanek Genre: Cowboy Story, male singer
It’s lonely on top of the world It’s chilly on top of the world There’s nowhere to look up I’m always feeling down It’s lonely on top of the world
It's boring on top of the world There’s nothing for reindeer to do They only work one day just pulling Santa’s sleigh It’s boring on top of the world
It's scary on top of the world That polar bear gives me the stare Still looking for that seal or am I your next meal? It’s scary on top of the world
(bridge:) My moral compass is spinnin’ Thought I was saved but I was sinnin’ I was shown the right path but I always went wrong I’m still lost on top of the world
(instrumental of chorus)
I’m running on top of the world I’m running away from the law I know my time is up but who will take me down? I’m running on top of the world
I’m waiting on top of the world I’m wanted on top of the world Here come the men with guns Surrender? No, I’ll run I will die on top of the world (slower) I will die on top of the world
Cannabis Cannibal
By Robert S Urbanek Genre: Country, Rock, or Rap, male singer
I’m always high My belly full I’m a cannabis cannibal
Got a ghost gun Goes bump in the night I’m a cannabis cannibal
Keep my crypto in my crypt I’m a cannabis cannibal
Cannabis cannabis cannabis cannibal Cannabis cannabis cannabis cannibal
I’m big Really big Bigger than anyone else
I’m bad Really bad Badder than anyone else
Don’t need a law just need a chainsaw I’m a cannabis cannibal
Cut all the fat Cut to the bone I’m a cannabis cannibal
Cannabis cannabis cannabis cannibal Cannabis cannabis cannabis cannibal
I’m lookin’ down My dick fell off I’m now a trans from Mar-a-Lago
I strut on stage My crowd is big Much bigger than Obama
I’m big Really big Bigger than anyone else
I’m mad Really mad Madder than anyone else
Thank you for your attention to this matter
RIGHTS
I bought a copy of Songwriting Contracts! — Protecting Your Songwriter Rights by Mike Freze (2016). The Co-Publishing Contract on pages 82 and 83 may be useful for a songwriter pairing with a band. The author noted that additional contract provisions may be needed for digital music, online platforms, and/or other variables, and consulting with an attorney would offer you more protection.
Inquiries welcome from record labels, bands, and individual performers.