Music Monday #11 – Quiet Little Boxes

Get the songs here:
Malvina Reynolds – Little Boxes (WEEDS theme song)
Malvina Reynolds – Quiet

On this Music Monday I bring you Malvina Reynolds. According to the Wikipedia, she was born on August 23, 1900, and died March 17, 1978. She was an American folk/blues singer-songwriter and political activist.

Like many people, I first heard one of her songs when Weeds came on TV. Her popular song Little Boxes has been used as the title song for that show.

Malvina has a fascinating voice and her lyrics can make you think and I like that. So without further ado, here are the lyrics to her songs Little Boxes and Quiet.

———

Malvina Reynolds – Little Boxes

Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky-tacky
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes all the same

There’s a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

And the people in the houses
All went to the university
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same

And there’s doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school

And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same

And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

There’s a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

————–

Malvina Reynolds – Quiet

I don’t know much about much
And what I don’t know I don’t say
And when I have nothing to say
I’m quiet

When there’s occasion to holler, I’ll buy it
I can make noise with the best
But most of the rest of the time I’m quiet

I’ve made mistakes in the past
Things that I blush over yet
But I hardly ever regret
Having been quiet

I have a TV at home
And I do truly enjoy it
I can just leave it alone
And it’s quiet

I’m not unsociable, no
People are fine in repose
Somehow my favorites are those
Who are quiet

Quiet’s a wonderful sound
Sweeter than oboe or fiddle
Someday I’m going to be found
In the middle of quiet

Sing me a song of the sea
Soft as the breath of a breeze
Sing me to sleep and then please
Keep quiet

If you still want more Malvina Reynolds, check her out on amazon.com or see this YouTube video of The Little Red Hen:

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *