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Happy Birthday to Me

by Rick Paul

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about

Kathy Schaeffer and I wrote "Happy Birthday to Me" back in 1998, and I've often played it in my birthday month of July in the years since. I won't have the opportunity to play it live in public this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions, so I thought it would be fitting to record this depressing song about celebrating a birthday alone in time to release it on my 60th birthday. I guess you could call it either an impulse recording or an inside joke, or maybe a bit of both.

lyrics

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
words and music by Kathy Schaeffer and Rick Paul

By the light of the candles you said that we’d spend
Every birthday by each others’ side
You never would leave, and how I believed
But it’s my birthday, and, baby, you lied

Happy birthday to me are the words that I sing
As I sit here and hold back a tear
Make a toast to myself with our favorite drink
And remember your promise last year
Happy birthday to me
Wish you were here

There isn’t a present, there isn’t a cake
But somehow I know I’ll be fine
I’ll get over this emptiness that I feel
If I can get through this birthday of mine

Happy birthday to me are the words that I sing
As I sit here and hold back a tear
Make a toast to myself with our favorite drink
And remember your promise last year
Happy birthday to me
Wish you were here

Do you know what today is, do you even care
Do the words “happy birthday” spark a memory somewhere

Happy birthday to me are the words that I sing
As I sit here and hold back a tear
Make a toast to myself with our favorite drink
And remember your promise last year
Happy birthday to me
Wish you were here

© 1998, 2020 Kathy A. Schaeffer (BMI), Closet Cowboy Music (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

credits

released July 28, 2020
Performed, produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Rick Paul. Cover artwork by Rick Paul.

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about

Rick Paul Laguna Hills, California

Rick Paul's songs combine memorable pop/rock and country melodies with mature, often thought provoking, lyrics on life and love. His singing has drawn comparisons to Dan Hill, Randy Newman, and Neil Young, while his piano playing is most frequently compared to Rick’s biggest musical influence, Elton John. Rick performs frequently in Orange County, California. ... more

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