Danny Hamilton‘s father had been nearly deaf for as long as he could remember. When his dad finally gave in and purchased a set of hearing aids earlier this year, Danny prepared a musical treat for his old man’s newly-receptive ears: an upbeat tribute to his father’s longtime sonic struggles, which he unveiled on Christmas morning. It’s called “I Liked You Better Deaf.”
Full lyrics, via DannyTheHamilton:
There used to be a time, it was rather recently
When I’d play something on the stereo
And mom would say “Danny won’t you turn that noise down”
And you’d say, “it’s already very low”
Seemed that I could always count on you
To come and take my side
When I’d set the volume up at 62
And someone else wanted it at 35
But since you found out that your ears are micable
I have to say it’s made you just a touch less likeable
You never used to know the difference ‘tween the bass and treble clef
And it isn’t hard to tell you that I liked you better deafIt used to be if I’d run out of anything to say
I could just mumble and you’d usually go away
It used to be what I was bringing to the conversation
Was subject to a wider range of your interpretation
But now I see
That I must be
Living in a nightmare, why it’s every son’s worst fear
To have a dad forever clad with supersonic ears
And I don’t mean to tell you that I love you any less
But there’s no doubt about it that I liked you better deafIf I had once forgot to tell you something, say a chord I hadn’t struck
Like, “The mail’s arrived” “I owe you five” “Run away” or “Duck!”
Once I could have played it off without blood sweat or tears
“I told you that,” I’d tell you, and you’d blame it on your ears
It once was undetectable but now it’s ineffectual
The odds are insurmountable and I am held accountable
And you never would’ve noticed if I swore under my breath
Now I don’t have to shout to say I liked you better deafSee now I’ve reached a point where it’s hard to make a rhyme
But the song needs another verse to reach a fitting time
And if I had been writing it for old deaf dad
I might have left a phrase or two… unfinished
But only the best for you and your new hearing
You will find that every rhyme is aurally endearing
And I’m afraid that now you’ve left me lyrically bereft
But I only need five words to say I liked you better deaf
H/T Reddit