Music + lyrics by Peter King
3:18 | :30 soundbite
Here’s a piece I wrote about “Silly Goose” for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on February 14, 2006, Valentine’s Day:
“I've written quite a few songs, but ‘Silly Goose’ was different in that there was one person in particular I was hoping to please — my fiancee, Janice.
“The title is a term of endearment, a nickname I occasionally call her. Because of the title, and because I wanted to write something as free of cliche as possible, I tried to mix in a little humor along with the heart. I also wanted to paint a recognizable portrait of a unique individual, to let something of Janice’s beautiful, quirky personality shine through. Most of what I describe in the song is true, but I admit I took a little poetic license (she’s actually a pretty good dancer).
“To make a long story short (because I'd much rather you listen to the song than read my analysis), I polished the song, polished it again, practiced singing and playing it on the guitar until I felt it was good enough, and then summoned my courage and played it for Janice one evening. She can be a brutally honest critic of my artistic endeavors. But this time, as her eyes brightened and a little smile spread across her lips, I knew it was a hit.”
My disposition wasn’t sunny
My cup ran over with some bitter, poison juice
Then I met a girl who was just a little bit funny
Life is sweet, since I found my Silly Goose
She steals the pretzels right out of my hand
Steps on my feet when we dance to the band
And she looks me in the eye, and she holds me so tight
And I sleep like a baby the rest of the night
And each day I need her more and more
Silly Goose don’t ever leave me
I’d be a sad man for sure
My heart was made of granite
Some good women tried to get inside but it was just no use
Then I met a girl who came from some other planet
Live is sweet, since I found my Silly Goose
And she listens to the breeze with a faraway grin
Misses places that she's never even been
And she straightens my tie, and she hands me a comb
And she waits up for me when I’m late gettin’ home
And the way she looks when I walk through the door
Silly Goose don’t ever leave me
I’d be a sad man for sure
Bridge:
To watch over me is a complicated art
My Silly Goose is smart
When she digs in the garden she feels bad for the weeds
Drives down a side road just to see where it leads
And I ask her what she’s thinking and she tells me to guess
And then she says “Do you still love me?” and I'll always answer yes
Cause somehow she changed me down to my core
Silly Goose don’t ever leave me
Silly Goose don’t ever leave me
Silly Goose don’t ever leave me
I’d be a sad man for sure