As it turns out, Julia has had a most sweet friendship for about a decade now with comedienne, Georgia Engel. When it came time to record this CD, Georgia was one of the first approached. We were delighted when Georgia said, “Yes!”

Working with her was always a joy. Fitting into her busy schedule was most difficult, but Georgia was always graceful in making it work.

A little background on Georgia … (Her full resume would fill this digi-book)

“Georgia Engel’s golden comic talents are only matched by her unmistakable blonde locks and remarkable zeal for her craft.” ~All Movie Guide

“Throughout her distinguished career as a comedic actress in television, film and on the Broadway stage, Georgia is best know as Georgette in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  She has also received great acclaim for her recurring role as Pat MacDougall on Everybody Loves Raymond for which she received 3 consecutive Emmy nominations as outstanding guest actress in a comedy series from 2003 – 2005.

“In 2006, Georgia returned to her theatre roots and appeared on Broadway as Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone.  She has most recently appeared in the new Annie Baker play John, which opened Off-Broadway at the Signature Theatre in NYC.  Currently, Georgia is in production for the new musical, Gotta Dance, in which she is starring.  It will premiere in December 2015 and will run through January 2016 in Chicago. “

I knew I had to find an idea that would take advantage of Georgia’s very special sense of humor and character, so I first met with both Georgia and Julia to discuss what they might like to sing about.

Georgia kept going on and on about how she did not consider herself much of a singer, but having just finished a leading role in a Broadway musical made me take her humility with a grain of salt. I also knew that she was a strong dancer and consequently would have a solid sense of rhythm, so I knew I could write something that was musically sophisticated but not terribly rangy. Both women had specialized talents and I knew that I needed to take advantage of both ‘s talents and write something that was both funny and truthful.

There’s another side of Georgia that most people don’t know about and that’s the deeply spiritual side of a true seeker. So it couldn’t just be a fluff song. It had to have content.

The idea of the song came out of that first meeting. I decided to go with a good ol’ Broadway show song.

Ya’ Don’t Hafta Be A Singer To Sing

Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Julia (Rubato)

Lily Tomlin

Gracie Allen

Carol Burnett

Lucille Ball

Tina Fey

Whoopie Goldberg

When it comes to comedy

Giants all

 

Sad to say

I’m just a singer

How I wish I could make ‘em laugh

But when it comes to comic timing

Guess you might say I’m just better at rhyming

Perhaps this funny business

Is just not my call

Georgia

(Spoken)

Ya’ don’t have to be a comic to make ‘em laugh, Julia.

Like you always say, “Ya’ don’t have to be a singer to sing.” Being a comedienne is a lot like being a singer.

Just make the best of what cha got!

Julia
(Spoken)

But women like Gilda Radner and Bea Arthur are just naturally funny. And Betty White … and Ellen Degeneres …

Julia (Continues and sings)

Now take me, for instance, Georgia

I ain’t exactly Madeline Kahn

And I could go on and on (As you know …)

But I manage to get a few laughs in each of my shows

So I thought I’d come to you

I just had to resort to a little support from a friend

Georgia

I’m here for ya’, girl.

 Ya’ know, when I’m with you just hangin’ ‘round

Don’t cha know, we laugh all the time

And the truth of it is

You’re just as funny as you can be

Julia

I know …

I’m a natural ham

A rattlebrain is what I am

Therein lies the funniest facet of me

Now I see!

Yes a natural ham

A rattlebrain is what I am

So I make the best

With whatever it is I be

Right?

Georgia

Now ya’ got it!

Julia

It’s like you say I always say …

Ya’ don’t hafta be a singer to sing

Georgia

That’s right!

Anyone can do it in the shower

It just takes a dash of courage

To get over your reserve

A tablespoon of confidence

And a bucket full of nerve

Julia

You don’t hafta have a great big voice

Or God’s gift of rhythm in your soul

But at least ya’ got to know enough to carry a tune

Dare to stick it out there past the fear an’ get a grip

Both

Have the stuff to get up on that stage an’ let ‘er rip

But ya’ don’t hafta be a singer to sing

Ya’ don’t hafta be a singer to sing

Georgia

Now take me for instance, Julia

I ain’t exactly Maria Callas

And I never played the Palace

But I’ve managed to croon a few tunes on ol’ Broadway

Now my range is kinda short

So I sometimes resort to a little support from a friend

Julia

I’m here for ya’, girl.

Georgia

Ya’ see most of my notes are so remote

That, to me, I sound like a Billie goat

But I’ll tell ya’ my secret

If you promise to never tell

I got four good notes

An’ none of them’s a money note

But beyond that,

It all sounds to me like a yelp

That’s right!

I got four good notes

An’ none of them’s a money note

But beyond that, girl

I probably need some help

Julia

But remember Georgia …

Ya’ don’t hafta be a singer to sing

Georgia & Julia
(Trading lines)

Yeah …

Anyone can do it in the shower

It just takes a dash of courage

To get over your reserve

A tablespoon of confidence

And a bucket full of nerve

You don’t hafta have a great big voice

Or God’s gift of rhythm in your soul

But at least ya’ got to know enough to carry a tune

Dare to stick it out there past the fear an’ get a grip

Both

Have the stuff to get up

On that stage

An’ let ‘er rip

But ya’ don’t hafta be a singer to sing

Ya’ don’t hafta be a singer to sing

Georgia

Well here goes …

If yer tryin’ to be a singer

Baby ya’ gotta want it

If ya’ got it

Better flaunt it

Whatever it is ya’ got

Both

If ya’ think you can swing it

An’ yer out there tryin’ to wing it

Don’t think twice, just bring it!

Whatever it is ya’ got

 

So what if ya’ ain’t got the chops

Ya’ can’t be afraid of the flops

They ain’t gonna call the cops

So pull out all them stops and give it

Whatever it is ya’ got

 

No ya’ don’t hafta be a singer

Don’t hafta be a singer

Don’t hafta be a singer

To siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing

So siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!