"Earworm"

[Mark A. Mandel]

Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM> sez---
>>>

One can be "haunted" in various ways.  The calque seems to run to the
horrific end of the
spectrum; "Jingle Bell Rock" is a good example for me.

<<<

 Rude Awakening
Copyright Mark A. Mandel 2004
To the tune of Jingle Bells (starting with the verse: "Dashing through the
snow")

My new cell phone plays
A choice of wake-up song.
the right start to my days
is going very wrong

I chose a pretty  theme
But now, alas, I find
That blasted repetitious meme
Has occupied my mind.

  (CHO:)
  Pachelbel, Pachelbel,
  Filling up my brain.
  The thunder of the Canon
  Is driving me insane.
    (2x)

A charming piece composed
by Johannn Pachelbel.
What idiot supposed
this phone could play it well?

Unmodulated tinkling
Of just eight bars' extent
    (spoken:) Repeat!
Of just eight bars' extent
    (spoken:) Repeat!
Of just eight bars'--
    (spoken:) NO!...
A mind-block better than the best
that Bester could invent!

(CHO)

===
  ["But it's not to the tune of Pachelbel's Canon!"
  "That's the idea. I was trying to get _away_ from it!"]



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