And Now For Something Completely Different

Sometimes, I amuse myself

A few months (or maybe even years?) ago, I had this idea while on my repetitive commute to take my son to his various programs and appointments. A song would come on the radio that had lyrics that told a story—like Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” or Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About”—and I would think, heck that would be fun to perform as a monologue.

Now, it’s been a long time since I’ve performed as an actress or directed others in their roles, but I daydreamed about using song lyrics as a script on many of those drives.

Fast forward to a few months ago: I come across an actor on Instagram named James McNicholas (@jmcnik) who went viral with his dramatic monologue of a few lines from “Crazy,” by Gnarls Barkley. His performance is unexpected if you know the song and yet it fits the lyrics brilliantly. McNicholas is doing exactly what I was thinking about—and he has continued to send out more creative and deftly performed interpretations of popular songs.

It’s just fun.

So, back in February, I decided to stop thinking about it, and just start. My “Songologues” never turn out as polished or hilarious as I imagine them in my head, but they are fun and silly and just the creative distraction I need right about now.

I’ve only done five so far. I hate seeing myself on camera, but it’s getting easier to have fun with it anyway. I have a looong list of songs I want to play with (I’ll get to that Carrie Underwood song eventually). I’ll share the links here again when I’ve done a few more—and/or follow me on Instagram (@robinlavoie), if you’d like! (I keep telling myself I’m going to get off social media, and yet, here we are.)

You can click on the thumbnails of my videos below, which will take you to my public Instagram page to play them (you might have to click on the 🔈 at the bottom of the video to turn on the sound).

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#1 “Something to Talk About,” by Bonnie Raitt

My son will usually change the channel partway through this song—because I always sing along too enthusiastically. It was one of my inspirations for this whole project. Bonnie Raitt is such an incredible storyteller. Her songs have so much character and plot built in, she makes performing her songs almost too easy.

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#2 “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin

This one captured my mood during this insane time. Once I heard the song’s “woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” refrain, I knew what I had to do with it. (With this one, I started adding a clip of the original song at the end of each Songologue, which makes them a little funnier, I think!)

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#3 “Bad Moon Rising,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

I was planning to do this one with a sinister witch’s vibe or something, but then we got an unexpected rain in Phoenix so I jumped outside to capture it this way instead.

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#4 “Misunderstanding,” by Genesis

Make no mistake, Phil Collins has long been a favorite of mine (my first live concert, too). He’s always telling a good story with any song he writes.

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#5 “Enter Sandman,” by Metallica

My husband suggested this one, and as a fan of horror and sci fi fiction, I definitely had fun adding some metal (and creepiness) to the mix.

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Hopefully, there’s more to come! This creative distraction has become one more reason my son changes the channel on me in the car—when I start acting out the words, it might just be worse than my singing! 😂

Thanks for playing along with me. If you have any requests for songologues, hit me up!

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Thanks, as always, for being here. If you liked this one, please leave me a comment or click the ♡ button—these interactions help others find me!

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P.S. Back in the real world—

Severe cuts to Medicaid are being considered at the federal level that will hurt the millions of people who use Medicaid for healthcare, disability services, elder care, and children’s health…not to mention the providers, medical professionals, hospitals and clinics that may be forced to close, resulting in both job losses and access to critical care.

If you’re in the U.S., please contact your representatives to tell them you oppose cuts to Medicaid as well as the negative impacts on Social Security due to staffing cuts & office closures.

• ACLU: Save Medicaid - use this link to send a note to your representatives

• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - info on threats to Medicaid in the current budget proposals, and how DOGE actions are damaging Social Security

• Alliance of Retired Americans - Fact Sheets on truth and lies about these vital programs

• Arizona Chamber Foundation - Report on the impact to Arizona of proposed cuts: “New Economic Analysis Warns of Significant Job Losses, Higher Health Care Costs If Federal Medicaid Cuts Move Forward.”

• Center for American Progress - Another cheery impact study: “Congressional Republicans’ Proposals To Slash Medicaid Could Cost Tens of Thousands of Lives.”

• New York Times (gift article): “The Big Secret About Medicaid: It’s a Middle-Class Benefit”

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