for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and piano

Katherine Altobello O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Tim O’Brien, baritone
Austin Haller, piano

Program Note

Social media clichés abound. For me, they are a big part of what makes using social media enjoyable, while at the same time occasionally annoying. The text of this song comprises a compilation of cliché posts that many people, at least in my network of friends and followers, have used frequently in their social media posts. I thought it would be fun to arrange them into a humorous song, not to make light of how they are used, but rather to celebrate how we communicate through our various social media platforms. In my opinion, if there is anything in life that we should probably take a bit less seriously, it is our use of social media. And while it does seem to receive a great deal of negative coverage, I believe it has the potential to be a platform for positivity, meaningful connection, and encouragement.

Meta Anthem Text

This!

Recs for restaurants. Go!
Your favorite coffee house. Go! Go!
Scary movies. Go!
Dependable plumbers. Go!
Honest mechanics. Go!
Trusted contractors. Go! Go! Go!
Bakeries with birthday cakes.
Christmas cookie recipes.
Art lessons. Lip gloss. Go! Go! Go!
This type of food. Go!
That type of drink. Go!
Places to groom our dog.
Piano teachers. Go!
Your favorite books. Go!
Ready Set Go!

This!

My office for the day.
Like Like Love Like Like Like Like Love Like Love Care Like Love Care
My office for the day.
Like Like Like Like Love Wow Love Care Wow Wow Love Care
My office for the day.
Like Like Like Like Angry Wow Like Angry
Love Love Sad Sad Sad
Ha ha Ha ha Like Ha ha Like Ha ha Like
Love Ha ha Like Like Like Like Love Wow Care Wow
Care Care Angry Sad Angry Sad Sad
Ha ha Ha ha Like Ha ha Like *(Love/Ha ha)
Wow Like Love Angry Care Sad Angry Sad
Care Wow Wow (Like/Wow) Love Wow (Like/Wow) Like (Like/Wow) Like
Care

I don’t usually post on here…
I never put anything on social media…
I rarely post anything to Facebook…
Those that know me know that I don’t ever post on here…
Trust me when I say that it is so uncommon for me to post anything to social media…
I just purged my list of friends. Congratulations, you made the cut!
I just cleaned out my friends list. If you’re reading this, you’re welcome!
Like I’ve said before, it’s so rare for me to say anything on this thing…
I don’t usually post on here…
I don’t usually post on here but
I don’t usually post on here but
I don’t usually post on here but
but but but but but but but
but but but but but but but

but the dress is blue and black! No!
The dress is blue and black! Yes!
The dress is white and gold. No!
The dress is white and gold. Yes!
Blue and black! No! Blue and black!
White and gold! No! White and gold!
(White/Blue) and (gold!/black!)
Yes! No! No! Yes! Yes! No! (No!/Yes!)
The dress is (white/blue) and (gold!/black!) (Yes!/No!)

This!

FOMO YOLO FOMO YOLO FOMO YOLO
An inspiring meme that makes you think. Wow Wow
Makes you laugh. Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha Ha ha
That makes you cry. Sad Sad Sad but at the same time happy.
FOMO YOLO FOMO YOLO
A social justice post that give you pause.
Read that, re-read that, then read it again.
Read that, re-read that, then read it again.
FOMO YOLO FOMO YOLO
An unusual photo, esoteric quote, or description of a shared experience.
If ya know ya know.
If ya know ya know.
If ya know you

I’ve been hacked! I’ve been hacked! I’ve been hacked!
Don’t accept anything from me.

This!

I was today years old when I learned, Like Like Love Love
when I realized, Like Like Like Like Love Care
when I understood Wow Wow Wow
I was right now years old when I found out, Care
when I grasped, Wow Care
when I discovered
FOMO YOLO
My real friends will share this post. You know who you are.
Like Love Care Ha ha Wow Sad Angry

* Differing text sung at the same time.