An original
The standard birthday song is public domain and a little sad. So years ago I wrote a better one with a friend of mine. Now it keeps showing up: friends singing it, families singing it, people I've never met singing it. Here is a growing wall of those moments.
People singing it
Old song vs new song
| The classic | The new one |
|---|---|
| Long | Short |
| Repetitive | Direct |
| Waits until the third verse to say your name | The copywriter in me makes sure your name comes right away |
"People singing Happy Birthday to You feels like an unskippable ad."
Why I make a big deal of it
There is a line in Hamilton that gets me every time, about how some of us only get half as many days as everyone else. And it is true. Every single day we are lucky enough to still be here is an incredible achievement of humanity.
So celebrate your birthday. It is YOUR day. Truly, genuinely, YOUR one special day. Make it whatever you want it to be. Treat yourself. You have earned another trip around the sun.
Add to the museum
If you've got a clip, a photo, or a memory of the birthday song, share it below. I read every one, and the good ones go up on the wall.
From the museum guests