Ouch. That title. “Syngables”? Is that really necessary? Yes, I am afraid it is.
This happens to me. Okay. I’ll hear a phrase that matches a certain syllable pattern, and I’ll immediately lapse into a song phrase that matches the pattern. This probably happens more times than I can remember, but the one I lapse into more than anything else is the chorus of “Girlfriend in a Coma”.
For my “Girlfriend In A Coma” trigger to be flipped, the words will usually have to be a standalone phrase. If you’re talking to me and you unwittingly utter a two-syllable word, followed two one-syllable words and another two-syllable word, I *probably* won’t start singing.
Anyways, once triggered, I’ll immediately start singing “Girlfriend in a Coma” but with the different words. I’m sure this is endearing.
The other day, I unexpectedly had another “Syngable” moment . I saw a sign for a “Multi-Family Yard Sale” and without warning, a synapse fired and I sang the words to the tune of “Sacrificial Bonfire”. (I’m talking about the part where they say “Sacrificial bonfire [Multi-family yard sale]! Must burn…” )
I later realized that to make this phrase fit, the word “family” had to be sung as two syllables, not three. Whoa, is that how I say “family”? Aw, hell. I think I do.
Well, if it fits the chorus to an XTC song from the 1980’s, I guess it’s worth it.