JUST A CUP OF COFFEE (2006)
(v1)
That’s a nice cologne you’re wearing
That’s a good one, makes me laugh
What do you take in your coffee?
Want a little half and half?
Do you like subtitled movies
Can you quote from Bernard Shaw
What do you do for a living?
Do you like your sugar raw?
(chorus 1)
Hey
It’s just a cup of coffee
I really should be working
No cause to get your interest perking
Hey
It’s just a brief encounter
What do you think we’re doing?
What makes you think there’s something brewing
(v2)
I just stopped in for my coffee
Can’t a girl just be polite?
I’m just looking at your fingers
Nice and thick, no ring in sight
I’m just making conversation
Like my java while it’s hot
Coffee gets me stimulated
Winds me up and hits my spot
(chorus 2)
Hey
It’s just a cup of coffee
My, what a big biscotti
I like my joe with extra body
Hey
There’s nothing boiling over
My friend, you must be dreaming
That’s just the cappuccino steaming
Want a refill?
Well, color me elated
Cause that’s what I reckoned
Oh, baby
I’m not easily sated
Always up for seconds
Always up for seconds
(v3)
Do you know your coffee basics?
Do you know where beans are grown?
Do you know the roasting process?
Do you like to grind your own?
Do you like the brew you’re drinking?
Do you find it too intense?
Do you want to see me later?
Shall I keep you in suspense?
(chorus 3)
Hey
Come up to my apartment
We’ll have a cappuccino
And maybe pour a glass of vino
Hey
Don’t ask for ’yes’ this early
Just savor your espresso
But ask for ’maybe.’ Then, I guess so.
(close out)
Hey
It’s just a cup of coffee
I really should be working
No cause to get your interest perking
Hey
It’s just a brief encounter
What do you think we’re doing?
What makes you think there’s something brewing
(repeat)
What makes you think there’s something brewing
©2006 Z. Mulls
This lyric is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office as part of the collection THE COLLECTED LYRICS OF Z. MULLS Volume One 1995-2006
I had this pegged as a breathy, Peggy Lee type piece. But my Kazakh collaborator, Eduard Glumov had a brilliant pop/dance take on it.
While Eduard’s pop take has a great sound, I always thought the song would work in a jazz/cabaret setting just as well. I recently hosted a fundraiser for Polycystic Kidney Disease, and among the performers was vocalist Liz Seymour.
John Waldie arranged the piece for piano and bass, and was joined by bass player Paul Graefe. The audio is only of middling quality, but Liz’s performance is worth sharing.
