There’s a big song of my life that I’m hearing all the time.”
Michael Tilson Thomas
In addition to his major compositions, Michael Tilson Thomas wrote the music and lyrics for dozens of songs over the course of his lifetime. Most songs were written during an especially creative period in his life in the 1970s and 1980s. From humorous ditties written for special occasions to more serious meditations on life and love, MTT’s songs reflect the many facets of his personality, the eclecticism of his musical taste, and his knack for telling a great story.
MTT with Ben Jones backstage at the San Francisco Symphony, 2025
MTT with John Wilson at the New World Center, 2021
Answered Prayers
Answered Prayers
Ben Jones, voice • John Wilson, piano
I made a bunch of wishes and they all came true
So, what’s a lucky fellow to do?
Pondering a delightful dilemma or two.
Well even if you think that you got the joke
You got to go swim it stroke by stroke
Or it doesn’t mean nothin’.
I thought the worst would happen
And one day it did
And even when I thought I was rid of all my cares and woes
There were still quos pro quid
And they didn’t cost nothin’
So what can you do when everybody knows that nothin’ will last forever
And every hour speaks right up in its brand-new voice,
So little time, So much to do, Mister, will you
Go pay your money and then take your choice?
‘Cause even if you’re fresh out of rhymes
You got to go and play the fool
One more time
Or it doesn’t mean nothin’
And, I’m tellin’ you
The moral of the story could be…
Sha doo wah doo wah doo wah bip bao bip bam shoo shoo wow woo
Music and words by Michael Tilson Thomas
Drift Off To Sleep
Drift Off To Sleep (to Igor Stravinsky)
Ben Jones, voice • John Wilson, piano
Last night, I cried myself to sleep,
I whispered to my pillow.
Who gets the golden ring ‘ya get for keeps?
My friends don’t know
My papa said, “woe is me.”
All of the stories sound the same
When you’re over thirty.
Same sorry lame excuses still to blame.
And you can’t see why to give it that old college try.
Chill out, work it out,
Talk it through pardner.
We still gotta face the world tomorrow.
See all sides of it,
Tides of it, surging and strong,
Carrying us along to judgment day.
And all along the way a lot of wiles and whimsies.
So come and mind me,
Lend an ear and do us both a favor.
Just stay on our course until the way is clear.
Then, let it go, and be the sweet one I know.
You might as well come cuddle up and drift off to sleep.
Peaceful and deep
Tell me,
What’s the why
Let’s go find a place where we can disappear.
Music and words by Michael Tilson Thomas