Computer Science/Graduate School Parody Lyrics

In my old department, UW CSE, we held a holiday party every year. (You can scan through the UW CSE departmental history site to learn more.) Every year the graduate students put together a holiday party skit which includes parodies of well-known songs. I actually co-wrote two years' skits (2001 and 2000), but perhaps my proudest creations are parody song lyrics.

I plan to keep up the tradition, inspired by the Great Quux's example, and have already co-authored a planned three-part series of songs commenting on the tripartite duties of a faculty member. Now what?

Enjoy! Reuse! Modify! Correctly attribute authorship!

  • Committee Work is for Chumps (to the tune of Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young"). The title is self-explanatory and, perhaps, self-evident. ;)
  • The Advisor (to the tune of Don Schlitz's "The Gambler"). A little advice from senior faculty to junior faculty: "know when to pass 'em, know when to harrass 'em."
  • One Day Ahead (of the Students) (to the tune of Alan Menken's "One Jump Ahead" from the Disney movie Aladdin; original lyrics by Tim Rice). The breathless rush of the over-worked and under-informed instructor.
  • The End of Grad School (to the tune of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence"). A grad school lament from the nth year.
  • One to Four (to the tune of Dolly Parton's "Nine to Five"). Just defended your thesis or passed your qualifying exam? Kick back with this song.
  • Everybody Wants a Google Shirt (to the tune of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"). How much schlock is your CV worth?

    • Many thanks to my numerous co-conspirators for assistance, inspiration, scansion help, and laughs.

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