This is my initial voice memo of the second song, All About Me. I just pounded this out on the upright piano in my living room so I would remember what was in my head.
Today is Sunday, June 30th, 2024. Since last Tuesday, I’ve spent every moment of my time building out the production of this song – from drum kits, bass and piano to hooky horn lines, funky electric guitar riffs and luscious key pads. I have also completed the lead vocal, lead doubles, vocal stacks, gang vocals and most of the vocal harmony tracks. I feel like I’ve gotten down everything that organically wants to happen with the song’s production. I know there’s more though. I will sit with it for another few days to see if any delightful ideas come. I will share the current version with you in my next post.
For now, here is the voice memo and the lyrics, script elements excluded.
All About Me is a great opportunity for the role of Matthew to flaunt his showmanship and charisma. But more deeply, it establishes the ease and self assuredness that Matthew initially brought to his world of music – a pretty dark contrast actually considering what we will have just seen from Levi. And not the nicest way for Matthew to start his relationship with Levi. It’s a dig, for sure.
Remember that my goal is not to just write this musical, but to start, maintain and grow a career as a musical theatre writer. Two Against One is just the starting line. And from Spring Awakening and Wicked to Dear Evan Hanson and The Outsiders, I’ve always preferred musicals that blend lyrical storytelling with pop sensibilities. So expect my songs to sound commercial. That’s what I love most.
Okay, LK Crew. Song one down. Song two up. Here’s the voice memo that got me started. And that link to the first song Revelation, is not the mixed and mastered version. I want to be able to share with you the completed production with all the buildup and fanfare that everyone outside or our inner circle will get to experience. So, just know that listening here will never be the final song.
ALL ABOUT ME
WRITTEN BY LEVI KREIS
Oh my God, I couldn’t be more grateful
To the panel of judges who can see I’m special
I don’t wanna take up too much time
But I got one person that I’d like to thank
So Mom, your stage work really is stellar
Yeah you bring it on home with an emotive hand gesture
Never short on professional advice
Style me up like Crockett in Miami Vice
It’s showbiz
Show me where my mark is
I already got this
I don’t miss a beat when the music is mine
That’s right!
It’s all about me
All I wanna be is me
All I gotta do is be
Some things ain’t that complicated
I can make it as easy as 123
Hey
Life can be the greatest show
Hoh
Leaning in to what you know
Some things ain’t that complicated
I can make it
I can make it all about me
All about me
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
LEVI (as stage mom): (Dialogue)
MATTHEW:
I admit that I’m slightly befuddled
By the consummate pro with the internal struggle
So tortured by the fortune and the fame
Drop confetti and he swears it’s raining
I may be too young for the baggage
But I don’t think I could ever imagine
That anyone could take away my shine
Any situation would be quite so paralyzing
Acting like you’re dying
Don’t you know that nobody’s ever gonna know
Any better than I
That’s why
It’s all about me
All I wanna be is me
All I gotta do is be
Some things ain’t that complicated
I can make it as easy as 123
Hey
Life can be the greatest show
Hoh
Leaning in to what you know
Some things ain’t that complicated
I can make it
I can make it all about me
All about me
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
LEVI (as stage mom): (Dialogue)
MATTHEW:
It might seem that I’m just being clever
Cocky or cool or coy or whatever
But truly I’d like to make the world a better place, yeah.
People talk a lot about finding a purpose
Mine found me and I’m not even nervous
A big fat dream that I didn’t even have to chase
It’s bigger than me
And all that I can be is me
All I gotta do is be
Some things ain’t that complicated
I can make it as easy as 123
Hey
Life can be the greatest show
Hoh
Leaning in to what you know
Some things ain’t that complicated
I can make it
I can make it all about me
All about me
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na