Skipper Dan

[Seva]

Dickens! Ibsen! Olivier! 12 Angry Men! No wonder why MySpace prepubescents didn't get the idea and charm of the song. Love ya Al, and keep developing the image of Americans in the world as clean, nice and highly intelligent people.

SEVA.

[Seva]

... And Tennessee Williams was also cool.

SEVA.

[Seva]

Thanks for the lyrics, folks!

SEVA.

[algonacchick]

Right on, Seva! Eh, most of the haters don't have a vocabulary of words bigger than 4 letters, anyway. Who needs 'em?

[Seva]

No one, for sure.

But I wonder why they write this, 'cause, above all, this is a very funny song. In fact, it's great - from the idea (well, that's what Al persistenly had through decades of career - fresh, awesome ideas!) down to catchy tune and - a cheer mixed with a little sadness as a result. Bravo again for the piece of entertaining art, Al!

SEVA.

[algonacchick]

Well, I did see a few comments from folks who either worked at Disney or specifically, folks who were/are skippers, and they seem to like the song. Some of them even said it hit a little too close to home. I love that!

[Orthography Enthusiast]

To further increase the enjoyment of non-US fans, we hereby present:

Skipper Dan, the Annotated Edition

I starred in every high school play
Blew every drama teacher away
Graduated first in my class at Juilliard

Took every acting workshop I could
And I dreamed of Hollywood
While I read my Uta Hagen
And studied the Bard

Hit the boards and paid my dues
And got phenomenal rave reviews
I knew the world was gonna love me
Without a doubt

I was sure that Tarantino would be calling me on my phone
And Annie Leibovitz would shoot me for Rolling Stone
But the years have come and gone
And I’m sorry to say, that’s not the way it’s all worked out


Chorus
I’m a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I’m doing 34 shows every day
And every time it’s the same

(whoa-ooo)
Look at those hippos, they’re wiggling their ears
Just like they’ve done for the last 50 years.
Now I’m laughing at my own jokes but I’m crying inside
Cause I’m working on the jungle cruise ride


Oh, the critics they used to say
I was the new Olivier
Thought I’d be the toast of Sundance, or maybe Cannes

Ah, but don’t bother trying to IMDB me
The only place you might possibly see me
Is riding my little boat around Adventureland
It ain't exactly what I planned but…

Chrous

I would have killed if I’d been in Speed The Plow
But what’s the difference cause that’s all behind me now
Cause I’m paying the rent and I’m swallowing my pride
And I’m working on the Jungle Cruise ride

I should be there on Broadway knocking them dead in 12 Angry Men
But Instead I’m here telling these lame jokes again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again

Na na na na chorus
(in background intercom voice)
Bengal Tigers can jump over 20 feet!
That’s an African Bull Elephant.
There it is, the backside of water!
What have I done with my life?!

I should have listened when my grandfather said
Why don’t you major in business instead
Now my hopes have all vanished
And my dreams have all died
And I’ll probably work forever as the…

Chorus

Somebody shoot me cause Im bored to tears
Always said I’d be famous
I guess that I lied
Cause Im working on the Jungle Cruise Ride
I’m still working on the Jungle Cruise Ride

[mrmeadows]

Right on, Seva! Eh, most of the haters don't have a vocabulary of words bigger than 4 letters, anyway. Who needs 'em?

Right...and they can't even spell THOSE words correctly. Reading those thuddingly vacuous comments reminds me why I dumped MySpace for Facebook.

Great premise...great song.

[Seva]

Thanks OE! Ah, sometimes I'll write a song with Russian references only!! How about that, Al?!

SEVA.

[Driew_La_27]

When I first listened I immediately thought of Weezer but that's just me. Since reading the forum I can also see some Fountain of Wayne in it too. Basically its a combination of the two