UNTIL I GO
(Cohen & Gray)  ©2005 ℗Tunes For Food
I wrote this with Jody Gray for the animated feature Clifford’s Really Big Movie, for which Jody also wrote the score. Sort of a wistful Lennon/Nilsson ballad with a touch of mid-70s Elton. Sung by Kyle Gordon. A gorgeous record produced by Jody.

I WAS BAD
(Cohen & Cohen)  ©2002
I wrote the lyric based on my then-four-year-old son’s articulate and engagingly convoluted explanation of a misdeed. My brother Hal wrote the music with me produced this demo. That’s Hal on keyboards and me doing my best Elroy Jetson vocal.

I LOVE IT
(Cohen & Barsha)  ©2012
A bawdy cabaret-pop song for which I wrote a lyric as a kind of a devilish Noel Coward recitative. The brilliant Debra Barsha surprised me by setting it as a sensual but driving Latin tune. This is Debra singing the demo. Lea DeLaria has been performing this in her act. It’s a perfect song for her.

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
(Cohen & Gray)  ©2002
I live across the river from where the Twin Towers stood. The lyric to this song is the first thing I could write after the 2001 attacks. It speaks obliquely to my torn but hopeful feelings at the time. Jody Gray wrote the haunting music and produced this demo, sung by Laura Berman. The song was covered by Bobbie Eakes and was the title track on her 2005 album, which made the Billboard Jazz Charts. (The album featured songs written or made popular by Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and others. “Something Beautiful” was one of two new tunes on the record. McCartney offered on his website that this was “destined to become a contemporary classic.” I’m still hoping Sir Paul his right.)

THAT’S WHY I PUT THE “OOH” IN YOU (AND YOU PUT THE “MMM” IN ME)
(David Steven Cohen)  ©2002
Late 1920s style / Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band type ditty. Sprightly fun. I’m singing and my brother Hal is playing piano.