Challenge: Write a song from the point of view of a videogame character.
Turns out I'm actually not much of a gamer. While I do own a PS3 and a Wii, I just don't spend all that much time playing games anymore. When I did, my favorite franchises were Metroid, Castlevania, Zelda, and Mario, probably in that order. My first instinct was Samus from Metroid, but I couldn't convince my wife to sing the part. So then I reached back into my distant childhood and pulled out the really old stuff, from the dawn of video gaming itself: Pacman, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, TRON, Galaga, etc.
As luck would have it, I already happen to be sitting on a Pacman-related song idea. As luck would also have it, my song when written will be in the 3rd person, and as such is not appropriate for this 1st person challenge. The next option was Donkey Kong. I tossed it around a bit and came up with a few key "what if"s:
What if Kong was actually pretty bright and educated, and liberally referenced Shakespeare and Greek classics, to the point of grating pretension?
What if he still felt the pull of his inner ape instinct, and struggled against it?
What if he wasn't really interested in the princess at all, but instead was attracted to Mario (then "Jumpman") and was just using her for bait?
Taking the role of speculative fiction writer, I let flow with the "what if"s, and here we are. No matter how intelligent Kong is, I never could get over the fact that this plan is fundamentally flawed, and that he's doomed to failure (especially if Mario is straight, and really just wants the princess). But his sincerity is inspiring, and hope springs eternal...
lyrics
[Verse 1]
So today's the day I finally bridge the strait
Of Charybdis and Scylla,
Dividing secrets of my heart,
Disobey instinct and circumnavigate
The 800 lb gorilla,
Forever keeping us apart
And I've bet the farm I won't end up harming
The lady cradled in my arm,
While you journey up to me.
[Chorus]
So I guess I've been playing hard to get,
What with these springs and barrels.
To be or not to be beset,
By Cupid's slings and arrows.
But I think it's time
For you to find out
What you haven't found out yet:
That I'm not so hard to get.
[Verse 2]
I got my big brother's plan to imitate,
Followed almost to the letter:
One decoy girl to apprehend.
Gonna try now to ascend the Empire State,
With the consequences better.
I'll get my plumber in the end.
It's not so simple to scale Olympus,
But you inspire this humble chimp
To embrace our destiny.
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
I'm not some raiding faun to your Diana.
I want to know what makes you you.
I feel there's flavors here besides banana.
And I feel you feel it too.
[Verse 3]
And I know you dream of honor's greater share,
Like Henry and his neighbors.
Your battle all the fates demand.
Set aglow your heart as guide, and don't despair
The Sisyphean labors
You will endure to win my hand.
Then we'll discover the secret of the
Ones who inspire songs of love,
And touch immortality.
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