Danette McMahon
Welcome, to my pity party
Glad you’re hear, make yourselves at ease
There’s cocktails, beer and wine
I’ve got plenty of crackers and cheese
While you’re here at my pity party
You’ll see old photos everywhere
From days that we all remember
When laughter would fill the air
Bridge 1:
Well, you can hold my hand, tell a joke or two
And, marvel just how good I look
But, it won’t make me forget, while I’m drowning in regret
For I am the queen of this party scene
Won’t need your help when the party’s over
I’m pretty good at livin’ in a mess
I’ll have one more drink, try real hard not to think
Where we were when he bought me this dress
Bridge 2:
But, don’t feel sorry for me, it should be clear to see
I do enough of that for myself
Don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made
And be a fool for love
When love’s gone, the fool still remains
I long for sleep, when the party’s over
It’s way too quiet, all the lights are dim
What I would give for a sweet dream
Where I’m finally over him.
Story
I had gone over to help a friend pack, for a move she was dreading, and discovered her state of funk was at an all new low. She had been divorced for at least three years but the heart wounds were still oozing with pain. She had seen her ex earlier that day, at Sam’s Club, looking very happy with the new woman in his life. I noticed she was clutching a velvet drawstring bag and it traveled with her, as she moved about packing. Being curious (or what it nosy?) I questioned what was in it. She poured out the contents on the table and it was a collection of jewelry…some very pretty and valuable looking pieces. In the midst of tears, she told me they were all gifts from her ex and she needed to hold on to them. All I knew was they had a very strong hold on her.
Before I left, after a few hours of packing and listening to her heartbreaking and angry reflections, she brought in a slinky little black wisp of a dress and handed it to me. She wanted to get rid of it because the ex had bought it for her. (I would’ve much preferred a piece of jewelry, but it wasn’t offered! Sorry, couldn’t help myself!). Well, I put the little black thingy way back in my closet for a short while and I then I had to get rid of it. Bad mojo!
That afternoon spent with her inspired me to write “My Pity Party”. I had never experienced anything quite like what she was going through. Since writing the song, back in 2006, I’ve had a few really pathetic episodes my my own…but none have inspired more lyrics.