Shareef Ali: Wikipedia Brown

Shareef Ali performs "Wikipedia Brown" live at the Bazaar Cafe in San Francisco, 4.9.2009.

Lyrics:

When my mind is in the gutter, or my heart's in outer space,
there's somewhere I return to. Yes, I'm sure you know the place.
So sacred it knows everything: if it's worth knowing at all,
it is written. Who cares if it's true or false?

And if I thought my trial were notable--and I wouldn't be the first--
though they frown on self-reportage and original research,
I'd break the code. I'd let them know. I'd put my stories down.
And you'd know me as Wikipedia Brown.

From every soaring romance, down to every futile crush;
if it taught me well, or brought me hell, I'd let you know as much.
Tricia Keane, Amina Bean, your articles are stubs;
but it don't mean you're not being thought of.

The Wikipedia of my love life--
it may not be suitable for young eyes.
While I'm sure a simple journal would have sufficed,
this way I can scrub the details, I can always rewrite;
plus everything's linked, just like in real life.

Well, now and then I stumble on something I didn't know,
like how Weird Al lost his parents (found poisoned in their home).
But mostly I just read about the things I've read before;
figure I'd rather know better than know more.

If I ever had to prove my love, we could simply look it up:
your entry there, under Current Affairs: "Sarah Rice, Pudding Cup".
And content may change rapidly, as with all recent events,
but if you check back, you can find out how it went.

And as for my biography, I hope history will be kind,
'cause if I leave tomorrow, Claire, I won't leave much behind.
Besides the scores of uncut songs--I'll not judge what they're worth--
there's no doubt that our love was my life's work.

The Wikipedia of my love life--
well, it may never see a ray of sunlight.
But if your name comes up, don't act so surprised.
We're bound to record and we're doomed to reflect;
what else do you do with all you can't forget?

From every soaring romance, down to every brutal touch;
If it mocked my grace, or rocked my face, I'd credit it as such.
Julie hon, oh, Amy Gun, your articles are stubs;
but it don't mean you're not being thought of.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Shareef Ali
• Wikipedia Brown