Hello everyone,
This is my first post on the board, though I have been reading things on the website for a while.
I just finished a home recording of a spoof of Coming Into Los Angeles; it's called Coming Into Baghdad, Iraq. I actually wrote it about a year ago while I was flying as a passenger on a C-130 into Baghdad (I'm in the Navy). Thankfully, I am still here to tell about it! I love Arlo's song, and for whatever reason the tune popped into my head during the flight, along with some funny words to go along with it that I sketched on the back of a piece of paper during the flight to pass the time. Those of you (I assume most of you!) who know the original lyrics will probably find even more humor in the song.
Anyway, I posted it on the net for you all to listen and tell me what you think. I would of course LOVE it if Arlo listened and gave his thoughts, since it's his great song. It's at www.nowhereradio.com/leahkim/singles
If I am somehow infringing on a copyright or something, someone please let me know so I don't get into legal trouble! I played all the instruments and did the singing, but obviously tried to make it sound as close to the original as I could from the corner of my family room!
Hope you enjoy it and it brings a smile to your face -- I am eagerly awaiting the day we bring all our troops safely home from Iraq, though I think it will unfortunately be a long time in the future...
- Mike

Mike, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you are back in the States? Wow, what a great job... I think you need to get this out to some radio stations. Congratulations! And glad you're safe. Welcome to ArloNet.

That is really great! Nice song! I bet Arlo would enjoy hearing it...

Great job, I liked your song very much. I am glad for you to be back home safe and wish that for all the other guys who are still over there.

Brigitte

Wow...I'm very impressed. Anyone who can take a melody and totally change the lyrics wins some major points in my book

That's pretty good. I don't know how Arlo would feel, but it kinda sounds Folk processed to me...

That was groovy, Mike......I give it two thumbs up

Thanks for the nice comments! It was a lot of fun to play and record.
I tried my best to make it sound like the original in terms of the overall feel (without making it too "processed") but it was hard to do playing everything one part at a time. Kind of loses some of the live sound and feel, but I guess that can't be helped.
Thanks for listening -- glad you enjoyed it!
Mike

I didn't mean anything bad by Folk processed...it's something Arlo talks about at his shows...has to do with writing a new song using an old tune...

OK, that makes sense. Well, hopefully he won't get offended by my usage of his song...

Awesome!
Great job there dude, really neatly done, funny, scary, and definately qualifies as folk -processed! lol,
loved it!!!

Mike!

Geez you got us down pretty good!!! Even we can't do that. I finally had a chance to hear your version... sad and funny and the same time if you know what I mean. Be freaking careful over there and get back and make some more music. Don't worry about the copyright.... Not yet anyways. :) You got enough to worry about. Our best wishes to you and all the friends we have over there. Keep playing!

All the Best,
Arlo Guthrie

Arlo,
WOW! Thank you so much for listening -- it truly is an honor!
I am happy to say that I'm back home safely with my family right now, but it seems that this quagmire is long from over, so I expect to have to return again sometime in the (hopefully distant) future. Things are still so crazy there with the daily suicide bombers that you have to try to find some humor to deal with the surrealism of it all. Like you said, the lyrics are sad and funny at the same time.
Thanks again for taking the time to listen! I'll be sure to send you the royalty checks when it tops the charts, if it's not banned from radio.

Mike

Mike -

Just listened to your song...Wow! You did a great job! I'm very happy that you're back safe and sound, and will keep good thoughts that you don't have to go back. Many good thoughts for everyone that it still there!

Thanks for sharing with us!
Deb

possibly because my computer is held together with hemp and chicken wire (some people think i'm making this up) i haven't been able to pick up any signal for this song!