"Crystal Shopping With Mrs. Russ"

This is one of my favorite titles, and I can’t even take credit for it. The phrase was spoken by a co-worker, Stephanie Tobin, at DMB&B in Chicago, where I was holding down a glamorous temp job. I liked it so well that I wrote a whole song around that one line.

Crystal Shopping With Mrs. Russ

© 1994 Brian Hutzell

Don't you find it abnormal, certifiably nice?

Living with the folks comes with a sacrifice

Fitting into expectations, compromise accordingly

A more offensive spectacle I never hope to see

But the pot is boiling over and the lid’s about to blow

I don't want to be there when they ask you to go…

Crystal shopping, crystal shopping

We’re going crystal shopping today with Mrs. Russ

Crystal shopping, crystal shopping

We’re going crystal shopping--hooray!--with Mrs. Russ

But you take it all in stride with a smile upon your face

As you trim the fancy garden and tidy up the place

You’ve always done the right thing--been everything they ask

They've been good to you and you love them, so you accept the task

Night is when you finally can step out on your own

It’s what you’re looking forward to whenever you must go…

Crystal shopping, crystal shopping

We’re going crystal shopping today with Mrs. Russ

Crystal shopping, crystal shopping

We’re going crystal shopping--hooray!--with Mrs. Russ

The domestic duties done, time to have some fun

Unglaze your eyes, accessorize

Become the person you were never allowed to be

Take a break from your dancing; look over there

Tall and fragrant, multi-colored hair

It’s Mrs. Russ at the club like Cinderella at the ball

Breaking all the rules, ignoring protocol

Now you don’t feel so pressured to keep the status quo

And you won’t resist so much when your folks ask you to go…

Crystal shopping, crystal shopping

We’re going crystal shopping today with Mrs. Russ

Crystal shopping, crystal shopping

We’re going crystal shopping--hooray!--with Mrs. Russ

"Shadow 2"

Brian Hutzell