In the mid 1990’s Jimmy played me a slower version of the progression you hear in the final version of this song. I drew on several theater-related metaphors and influences to write the lyrics (including Utopia’s “Bad Little Actress”, the lyric and chorus progression of which I believe were written by Todd Rundgren – again, what a surprise!). Jimmy and I sped up his original tempo, added various live or tracked instruments and wound up with the version included on the CD. Were I to update this song, it would be called “Seeking Jennifer” and would include some rewritten lyrics. But then again, even the late and very great Prince Rogers Nelson once told his listeners “in this digital age, U could just page me.” I’m sure you’ll understand that if it’s good enough for Prince…well, you know…
Paging Jennifer
I’ve got a message for her
Paging Jennifer
It’s time to make the offer of my script
The other actresses eclipsed by Jennifer
As she read for me
It was her face that haunted
Woke the dead in me
Her voice remained undaunted by the field
A new religion now revealed in Jennifer
Audition’s over now
I don’t need direction how to act the part of one who’s falling in love
Strange sense of comedy
This growing urgency to make good this connection
Or I’ll be needing help from above
Paging Jennifer
The message not received
Paging Jennifer
Won’t let myself believe she’d turn me down
That I’d forever play the clown for Jennifer
Tragedy in three acts
As I fall through the cracks
And watch her flying high upon a career
In an extended run I would become undone
Her method brings my madness which won’t be playing same time next year
Paging Jennifer
So many parts before her
Paging Jennifer
Silently I implore her not to leave
I need the art that is conceived in Jennifer
Paging Jennifer
The message has been taken
And within her answer
It seems I am forsaken in the end
But all my feelings still begin in Jennifer
She’s not the one who’s cried, fallen apart inside
She’ll play that on the stage but not in her head
In her soliloquy she made it clear to me
She won’t be traveling my way
But playing other venues instead
Paging Jennifer
No further message for her