John Munnelly

Getting to know the humor of John Munnelly, a.k.a LaughJohnLaugh.

Why laughjohnlaugh – what does that mean?
Happy child – neighbors would look at me or in pram and say laugh John Laugh ! – so I would.

Tis’ nice to find humor in a lot of things. Humor teaches us to laugh in the midst of adversity. It is a healing balm as we journey through life’s shaky road. You might be surprise to know that funny people are also serious. You might think they wear that funny mask 24/7 and being silly is part of their lives. Nope. Anyway that is what singer/comedian John Munnelly says when he is asked if he wears his funny mask all the time. ” Well I do have a serious side too so I sort of try and balance the poles and get energy from both.”

Originally from Ireland, John now resides in Brooklyn, New York. He runs a website http://laughjohnlaugh.com/ to post updates about his local shows, mostly musical with social commentaries. One of his popular videos called (Bum Song)”Does my bum look big in this?” has almost 14,000 hits and growing. The song is described as hilarious catchy pop song about ‘that’ question women ask and men dread – “Does my bum look big in this?” Here is that video:

A detailed explanation about this video can be found on: http://bigbumsong.com/

He describes himself as Creative, Witty, Curious, Artistic and Humorous. As a musician, he is a proud owner of a Collings Acoustic Guitar.”I used to own a set of Uileann Pipes and wish I still had a set.” Music has always been part of his life and that goes with being Irish. This got me curious about what albums he is currently listening to these days.

“I generally dig singles over albums recently – I write… so nearly always I am writing or practicing something new so that generally holds my attention.” As for his top 10 albums:

“Foster the people/ Azaelia Banks -212/ Lumineers/ Mumford & Sons/ Gotye / Prince Zimboo / Metric / are examples of stuff that I listened to in 2012.” Out of the ten, the artists I am only familiar with are Mumford & Sons and Gotye.”

I jokingly asked what he would take with him if ever he gets stranded in an island. He answered: “My wife, guitar n strings, bible, Irish tea-bags, potatoes, knife, kettle, large tent, sunscreen, hat, inflatable boat, water supply – swimming togs, paper n pens.”

Social networking is one aspect he is also enthusiastic about. He always updates his facebook, twitter and other accounts online along with getting to know people from all over the world. “Love having google because it reads my emails for me and then gives me adverts about things I wrote to my friends about – kindness in surprising places. Facebook: I love filling in a massive database about myself and everybody on the earth – what’s not to like.”

His answer to the question about how to deal with a situation involving rabid admirers: “I suggest that they write me into their wills, inveigle them to do interviews with me. Failing that I engage in witty banter and ask them are they on my mailing list.”

“Musicians, playing and writing music and the leap of faith one has to take.” These are the things he love about being in the music scene.

He is working on an album. I am sure it will be worth a listen to drive the blues away. - http://expatspost.com/

Getting to know the humor of John Munnelly, a.k.a LaughJohnLaugh.

Why laughjohnlaugh – what does that mean?
Happy child – neighbors would look at me or in pram and say laugh John Laugh ! – so I would.

Tis’ nice to find humor in a lot of things. Humor teaches us to laugh in the midst of adversity. It is a healing balm as we journey through life’s shaky road. You might be surprise to know that funny people are also serious. You might think they wear that funny mask 24/7 and being silly is part of their lives. Nope. Anyway that is what singer/comedian John Munnelly says when he is asked if he wears his funny mask all the time. ” Well I do have a serious side too so I sort of try and balance the poles and get energy from both.”

Originally from Ireland, John now resides in Brooklyn, New York. He runs a website http://laughjohnlaugh.com/ to post updates about his local shows, mostly musical with social commentaries. One of his popular videos called (Bum Song)”Does my bum look big in this?” has almost 14,000 hits and growing. The song is described as hilarious catchy pop song about ‘that’ question women ask and men dread – “Does my bum look big in this?” Here is that video:

A detailed explanation about this video can be found on: http://bigbumsong.com/

He describes himself as Creative, Witty, Curious, Artistic and Humorous. As a musician, he is a proud owner of a Collings Acoustic Guitar.”I used to own a set of Uileann Pipes and wish I still had a set.” Music has always been part of his life and that goes with being Irish. This got me curious about what albums he is currently listening to these days.

“I generally dig singles over albums recently – I write… so nearly always I am writing or practicing something new so that generally holds my attention.” As for his top 10 albums:

“Foster the people/ Azaelia Banks -212/ Lumineers/ Mumford & Sons/ Gotye / Prince Zimboo / Metric / are examples of stuff that I listened to in 2012.” Out of the ten, the artists I am only familiar with are Mumford & Sons and Gotye.”

I jokingly asked what he would take with him if ever he gets stranded in an island. He answered: “My wife, guitar n strings, bible, Irish tea-bags, potatoes, knife, kettle, large tent, sunscreen, hat, inflatable boat, water supply – swimming togs, paper n pens.”

Social networking is one aspect he is also enthusiastic about. He always updates his facebook, twitter and other accounts online along with getting to know people from all over the world. “Love having google because it reads my emails for me and then gives me adverts about things I wrote to my friends about – kindness in surprising places. Facebook: I love filling in a massive database about myself and everybody on the earth – what’s not to like.”

His answer to the question about how to deal with a situation involving rabid admirers: “I suggest that they write me into their wills, inveigle them to do interviews with me. Failing that I engage in witty banter and ask them are they on my mailing list.”

“Musicians, playing and writing music and the leap of faith one has to take.” These are the things he love about being in the music scene.

He is working on an album. I am sure it will be worth a listen to drive the blues away. - http://expatspost.com/

Hello WORLD CD Music by John Munnelly aka ‘LaughJohnLaugh’Artist: John Munnelly

Album: Hello World

Genre: Alternative rock

Sounds like: Melodic pop rock in the vein of The Cranberries, Lifehouse and The Proclaimers.



HELLO WORLD – Track Listing

We should go blind
People Die
Nowhere Without You
Legends
Did I leave the cubicle
Make my move real soon
Price of the medicine
Disappointed Me
Things Change
Mess Up
Father (why’s it such a secret?)

2 Bonus Tracks are on some releases – (Download Card/Online/CD)

The Bum Song
Antigua

From the onset of the first track We Should Go Blind, listeners know right away they are in for an exciting and catchy sonic ride. Hello World is the new album from this New York based singer/songwriter by the name of John Munnelly who originally came from Ireland. The carrier single is called Legends which is about finding that greatness in ourselves that make us legends in our own right.

I have to admit his vocal style of yodeling on high notes really works because he reminds me of how a uilleann pipe sounds like when it becomes human. The second track People Die continues the build up with its harmonies and also delicious drums. I think I already know this song by heart because it is easy to sing along with. Big nod to the guitar solo.

The production is flawless. Hello World is a recording of high quality collection of musicians and production team. “I’d rather be in Ireland hiking in the rain’..goes the first verse off Nowhere Without You. It has an echo of old Cranberries albums.It highlights John’s breezy and easy rock vocal style coupled with really awesome melodies. He is clearly a songwriter of everyday scenes. When he writes a song it feels like you are living inside it because his prose is detailed without being sickeningly sweet.

We Are Legend is a perfect single because it is radio friendly taking focus on social commentaries. It is a wonderful pop song of the times. This is something radio has been missing for a long time. It seems that Hello World makes one believe in the transforming power of alternative ballads again. Did I Leave the Cubicle is a track you might have heard of before the release of this album as John already uploaded this on youtube but to hear this among the mix is a good thing.

All of the tracks off Hello World are solid and deserve multiple spins. There are comedic things(which he is good at) in songs like Make My Move Real Soon, Things Change and of course the very popular Does My Bum Look Big in This? I’d say you give Hello World a spin and I know John Munnely will be the name that sticks in your ears for a long time.



You can now buy Hello World from itunes. : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-world/id662903275

The only thing is that itunes doesn’t have the bonus tracks like the bum song (released as a single 2012) but they are available and included as extras via download on his site: http://johnmunnellymusic.com/hello-world-cd/

You can also check out my interview with John Munnelly which appeared in Expats Post:http://expatspost.com/entertainment/music/john-munnelly-on-music-and-comedy/ - http://spheremusic.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/hello-world-by-john-munnelly/

Hello WORLD CD Music by John Munnelly aka ‘LaughJohnLaugh’Artist: John Munnelly

Album: Hello World

Genre: Alternative rock

Sounds like: Melodic pop rock in the vein of The Cranberries, Lifehouse and The Proclaimers.



HELLO WORLD – Track Listing

We should go blind
People Die
Nowhere Without You
Legends
Did I leave the cubicle
Make my move real soon
Price of the medicine
Disappointed Me
Things Change
Mess Up
Father (why’s it such a secret?)

2 Bonus Tracks are on some releases – (Download Card/Online/CD)

The Bum Song
Antigua

From the onset of the first track We Should Go Blind, listeners know right away they are in for an exciting and catchy sonic ride. Hello World is the new album from this New York based singer/songwriter by the name of John Munnelly who originally came from Ireland. The carrier single is called Legends which is about finding that greatness in ourselves that make us legends in our own right.

I have to admit his vocal style of yodeling on high notes really works because he reminds me of how a uilleann pipe sounds like when it becomes human. The second track People Die continues the build up with its harmonies and also delicious drums. I think I already know this song by heart because it is easy to sing along with. Big nod to the guitar solo.

The production is flawless. Hello World is a recording of high quality collection of musicians and production team. “I’d rather be in Ireland hiking in the rain’..goes the first verse off Nowhere Without You. It has an echo of old Cranberries albums.It highlights John’s breezy and easy rock vocal style coupled with really awesome melodies. He is clearly a songwriter of everyday scenes. When he writes a song it feels like you are living inside it because his prose is detailed without being sickeningly sweet.

We Are Legend is a perfect single because it is radio friendly taking focus on social commentaries. It is a wonderful pop song of the times. This is something radio has been missing for a long time. It seems that Hello World makes one believe in the transforming power of alternative ballads again. Did I Leave the Cubicle is a track you might have heard of before the release of this album as John already uploaded this on youtube but to hear this among the mix is a good thing.

All of the tracks off Hello World are solid and deserve multiple spins. There are comedic things(which he is good at) in songs like Make My Move Real Soon, Things Change and of course the very popular Does My Bum Look Big in This? I’d say you give Hello World a spin and I know John Munnely will be the name that sticks in your ears for a long time.



You can now buy Hello World from itunes. : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-world/id662903275

The only thing is that itunes doesn’t have the bonus tracks like the bum song (released as a single 2012) but they are available and included as extras via download on his site: http://johnmunnellymusic.com/hello-world-cd/

You can also check out my interview with John Munnelly which appeared in Expats Post:http://expatspost.com/entertainment/music/john-munnelly-on-music-and-comedy/ - http://spheremusic.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/hello-world-by-john-munnelly/

John Munnelly is an Irish singer-songwriter living in New York. He has an infectious enthusiasm for music and has been likened to Neil Young and the Beatles among others.

John Munnelly Videos
Showcase main page

As well as being a solo performer, Munnelly has also played with many bands including the Would Be’s and Silent Note. He sometimes appears as LaughJohnLaugh with his band Genna Johnson, Kevin Reilly and Andy Weintraub.
Traditional songs and ‘future classics’
John Munnelly

John Munnelly

His fans describe his shows as fun, intense, entertaining and even hilarious. He plays many styles of music but is best known for performing contemporary acoustic folk.

He is comfortable with a traditional song or an original ‘future classic’.

Munnelly has several influences from many different eras and genres of music. He says: “I am influenced by something that moves me, it’s usually grounded in something real and organic. Irish folk songs a la Paul Brady, African Poly-Rhythms/Talking Heads/ Hip Hop beats. The organ sounds of the 60’s and 70s a la Deep Purple, the attitude and guitars of Punk and new wave like The Undertones. Pop culture and classic Beatles.”
‘Song with a social conscience’

This shows in his writing and performances as he likes to mix it up in the studio and on stage. Many of his songs are about spiritual and social justice and he has won the ASCAP Songwriters Award for ‘Song with a social conscience’.

He says:” I strive to be professional at my art and craft to write catchy somewhat complex and well developed tunes with depth and substance. Maybe most importantly – I have a sense of humour!”

A studio version of a song will usually be more powerfully and professionally packaged with full arrays of guitar sounds and keyboard/organ backing.
Troubadour Dylanesque solo performer

However, when he plays live in intimate venues, the performances are more stripped down and acoustic. While when he performs without his band he says: “The solo performance is more of the classic troubadour Dylanesque man singing about the meaning of life (and fighting fascists) with an acoustic guitar.”

He released the album Hello World, which is available on iTunes, in 2013 and has released a number of singles since 2012.
Different shows in different venues

He has several strings to his bow and can adapt to different kinds of venues. For example when his band are playing in what he describes as ‘listening’ venues they will play more acoustic and original material.

However, when they are in a more rowdy atmosphere they will play anything from any era or genre including souls, Celtic, Americana, ballads, rock and blues originals.

Their shows often last three hours and their set includes classic songs, quirky covers and original material.

Munnelly is also an actor and has performed serious and comic roles and has appeared in several music videos.

John Munnelly
John Munnelly Videos
Showcase main page - http://www.irishmusicdaily.com/john-munnelly

John Munnelly is an Irish singer-songwriter living in New York. He has an infectious enthusiasm for music and has been likened to Neil Young and the Beatles among others.

John Munnelly Videos
Showcase main page

As well as being a solo performer, Munnelly has also played with many bands including the Would Be’s and Silent Note. He sometimes appears as LaughJohnLaugh with his band Genna Johnson, Kevin Reilly and Andy Weintraub.
Traditional songs and ‘future classics’
John Munnelly

John Munnelly

His fans describe his shows as fun, intense, entertaining and even hilarious. He plays many styles of music but is best known for performing contemporary acoustic folk.

He is comfortable with a traditional song or an original ‘future classic’.

Munnelly has several influences from many different eras and genres of music. He says: “I am influenced by something that moves me, it’s usually grounded in something real and organic. Irish folk songs a la Paul Brady, African Poly-Rhythms/Talking Heads/ Hip Hop beats. The organ sounds of the 60’s and 70s a la Deep Purple, the attitude and guitars of Punk and new wave like The Undertones. Pop culture and classic Beatles.”
‘Song with a social conscience’

This shows in his writing and performances as he likes to mix it up in the studio and on stage. Many of his songs are about spiritual and social justice and he has won the ASCAP Songwriters Award for ‘Song with a social conscience’.

He says:” I strive to be professional at my art and craft to write catchy somewhat complex and well developed tunes with depth and substance. Maybe most importantly – I have a sense of humour!”

A studio version of a song will usually be more powerfully and professionally packaged with full arrays of guitar sounds and keyboard/organ backing.
Troubadour Dylanesque solo performer

However, when he plays live in intimate venues, the performances are more stripped down and acoustic. While when he performs without his band he says: “The solo performance is more of the classic troubadour Dylanesque man singing about the meaning of life (and fighting fascists) with an acoustic guitar.”

He released the album Hello World, which is available on iTunes, in 2013 and has released a number of singles since 2012.
Different shows in different venues

He has several strings to his bow and can adapt to different kinds of venues. For example when his band are playing in what he describes as ‘listening’ venues they will play more acoustic and original material.

However, when they are in a more rowdy atmosphere they will play anything from any era or genre including souls, Celtic, Americana, ballads, rock and blues originals.

Their shows often last three hours and their set includes classic songs, quirky covers and original material.

Munnelly is also an actor and has performed serious and comic roles and has appeared in several music videos.

John Munnelly
John Munnelly Videos
Showcase main page - http://www.irishmusicdaily.com/john-munnelly

... and John Munnelly’s modern carol-like “Happy Christmas.”
- Boston Irish Reporter Dec 2012

“Together for Christmas” not only gets your attention, but it also could well stay in your CD rotation or playlist until at least President’s Day. This 15-track compilation is marked by some refreshingly new, or perhaps less well-known, voices of Celtic music. And the word “contemporary” in the title definitely fits here, most of the songs in the folk-rock vein, some acknowledging the bittersweet- ness the holiday season can bring: jangly electric guitars and bright mandolins along with family angstin The Elders’ “Christmas Day”; the gritty, fatalistic barroom humor of Kyf Brewer’s “Whiskey for Christ-mas”; equinoctial synthesizer and piano orchestration behind Emma Kate Tobia’s delicate “Walking in the Air”; brass-flavored wish-you-were-here sentiments gently voiced in “What Christmas Was Meant to Be” by Garrett Wall and Track Dogs; Ashley Davis’ dusky, regretful “Nollaig Moon,” and John Munnelly’s modern carol-like “Happy Christmas.”

Some more familiar names, voices and selections are here, too, like Cherish the Ladies and their trad-band treatment of Christmas-oriented tunes (a better fit might have been their cajunesque “Rise Up Shepherd”), The High Kings (“Driving Home for Christmas”), Da- mien Dempsey (“O Holy Night”) and the ever-ubiquitous Irish Tenors (“Silent Night”). Some delightful covers as well: Dave Browne and the Temple Bar doing Chrissie Hynde’s “2000 Miles,” Black 47’s Larry Kirwan dueting
with Ashley Davis on the John Lennon classic “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” and a give-’em-points-for-trying take on Shane McGowan’s magnificently, sentimentally desolate “Fairytale of New York” by George Murphy and Emma Kate Tobia – Murphy and Tobia don’t have the dissolute grandeur of McGowan and Kirsty MacColl in the original (who does?), but they do evoke some of their tragicomic point-counterpoint (He: “I could’ve been someone”/She: “Well, so could anyone”). Put a
bow on this one.


Boston Irish Reporter December 2012
- Boston Irish Reporter Dec 2012

RADIO
Will be playing 3 cuts from "Together for Christmas" CD on Sunday, December 16. They are John Munnelly's "Happy Christmas"; Tara O'Grady's " Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Dave Browne and the Temple Bar Band featuring Clare Peelo. The CD is certainly eclectic with traditional favorites and an exciting blend of current seasonal sure-to-be classics.

http://www.1490wkny.com/ - http://www.1490wkny.com/

RADIO
Will be playing 3 cuts from "Together for Christmas" CD on Sunday, December 16. They are John Munnelly's "Happy Christmas"; Tara O'Grady's " Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Dave Browne and the Temple Bar Band featuring Clare Peelo. The CD is certainly eclectic with traditional favorites and an exciting blend of current seasonal sure-to-be classics.

http://www.1490wkny.com/ - http://www.1490wkny.com/

Gwen Orel's New York Irish Arts
http://newyorkirisharts.blogspot.com/

"My faves: Happy Christmas, John Munnelly (we included this on Podcast #24)

" ... an infectious tune that also tells the story of Baby Jesus. Instant classic."
( Gwen Orel New York Irish Arts Blog December Roundup of Best Irish and Celtic CD’s ) 12/27/12


FB correction: " ... Of all time! (they are not all of 2012, it's my list of 2012, but it's a killer CD of ANY year!) - Gwen Orel - http://newyorkirisharts.blogspot.com/

"John Munnelly adds that Beatlesque touch with the jolly Happy Christmas".
- celtmusicfan.com Dec 2012 - celtmusicfan.com

"John Munnelly adds that Beatlesque touch with the jolly Happy Christmas".
- celtmusicfan.com Dec 2012 - celtmusicfan.com

There are many cheerful and pretty moments on the album, but the highlights for me include Cavan native John Munnelly singing a song he wrote about the birth of Jesus simply titled Happy Christmas.
"Sounds Around" The Irish Echo by Liz Noonan page 20 12.12.12

(WFUV Radio Ceol na nGael)
- The Irish Echo 12.12.12

There are many cheerful and pretty moments on the album, but the highlights for me include Cavan native John Munnelly singing a song he wrote about the birth of Jesus simply titled Happy Christmas.
"Sounds Around" The Irish Echo by Liz Noonan page 20 12.12.12

(WFUV Radio Ceol na nGael)
- The Irish Echo 12.12.12

Then the CD picks us up again with the grin-inducing joyous "Happy Christmas" from John Munnelly,
Irish Examiner USA,
Dec. 11, 2012 - Irish Examiner USA,

“I was laid off last week, don’t know what I will do, I’m gonna go online with the unemployment blues…” Sound familiar? If so, at least be comforted by the fact that you’re in the good company of fellow Brooklynite and singer/songwriter John Munnelly. Bensonhurst-by-way-of-Ireland musician Munnelly recently won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Foundation’s Jay Gorney Award for his recession-era lament “The Unemployment Blues.” Written in a contemporary “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” vein, the song touches on all your standard laid-off woes: sending out 346 bajillion resumes to no avail, college degree with nothing to show for it, and of course, food stamps.

For Munnelly, the inspiration for “The Unemployment Blues” came from his co-writer Christina Lord’s layoff rather than his own. The pair penned the ditty at a monthly songwriting meeting and the rest is prize-winning history. According to their website, ASCAP doles out $1,000 to an ASCAP member or unaffiliated songwriter who crafts an original song with a message of social conscience and/or social significance. What better time than the biggest economic slump since the 1930s to get such inspiration?

“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” was Jay Gorney’s most successful song and Bing Crosby’s recording of it was one of the best-selling records of 1932. Munnelly recognizes that songwriting is not “the obvious place to go to make money,” and though the music biz can be slim pickings he still sticks it out for the love of it. So spare some of your own dimes and check out John Munnelly’s set at the Duplex Songwriters Night at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher St. @ Seventh Ave., Greenwich Village). - BROKELYN.com

“I was laid off last week, don’t know what I will do, I’m gonna go online with the unemployment blues…” Sound familiar? If so, at least be comforted by the fact that you’re in the good company of fellow Brooklynite and singer/songwriter John Munnelly. Bensonhurst-by-way-of-Ireland musician Munnelly recently won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Foundation’s Jay Gorney Award for his recession-era lament “The Unemployment Blues.” Written in a contemporary “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” vein, the song touches on all your standard laid-off woes: sending out 346 bajillion resumes to no avail, college degree with nothing to show for it, and of course, food stamps.

For Munnelly, the inspiration for “The Unemployment Blues” came from his co-writer Christina Lord’s layoff rather than his own. The pair penned the ditty at a monthly songwriting meeting and the rest is prize-winning history. According to their website, ASCAP doles out $1,000 to an ASCAP member or unaffiliated songwriter who crafts an original song with a message of social conscience and/or social significance. What better time than the biggest economic slump since the 1930s to get such inspiration?

“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” was Jay Gorney’s most successful song and Bing Crosby’s recording of it was one of the best-selling records of 1932. Munnelly recognizes that songwriting is not “the obvious place to go to make money,” and though the music biz can be slim pickings he still sticks it out for the love of it. So spare some of your own dimes and check out John Munnelly’s set at the Duplex Songwriters Night at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher St. @ Seventh Ave., Greenwich Village). - BROKELYN.com

Will sing for a job.

A Bensonhurst man has found a silver lining in the recession - winning a national award for his song about being laid off.

"The song is saying something about our times," said John Munnelly, 40, an amateur songwriter whose composition, "The Unemployment Blues," snagged the top spot and a $1,000 prize in a competition held by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation.

"I don't want to be a political spokesperson and I don't think I'm that clever. I just wanted to emotionally tell the truth," said Munnelly, a computer technician who moved to Brooklyn from Ireland six years ago.

Munnelly - who hasn't actually lost his job - entered his song in the Jay Gorney Award competition, ASCAP's first aimed at putting the country's economic woes to lyrics.

The award is named for the composer behind the 1930's hit and Depression-era anthem "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

A foundation spokesman said Munnelly's song - which chronicles the plight of a college-educated recession casualty - won because it gives a modern twist "to the concerns Jay Gorney expressed in his song."

"Seven years in college, to achieve my dream. Never thought I'd end up, with food stamps to redeem," go the lyrics, which Munnelly co-wrote with Christina Lord from Manhattan.

"I was laid off last week, don't know what I will do. I'm gonna go on line with the unemployment blues," the song continues.

Munnelly and Lord will be presented with the award and winnings next week.

Munnelly said he got the inspiration for the ditty last winter after speaking with Lord, who had just a week earlier been laid off as a graphic designer at a trade magazine.

The two put their heads together: Munnelly quickly came up with a melody and some lyrics, and over the course of the next seven months, the duo perfected the ditty.

"Being unemployed changes your life," said Lord, who is still searching for work. "You don't have anything to look forward to except to get up and look for a job."

Some of Lord's experiences as a job-seeker even found their way into "The Unemployment Blues" - including the time she got on the wrong subway train en route to a job interview and ended up in Queens, missing out on the possible gig altogether.

"Then someone knew somebody, wanted to see me. I chose the wrong direction, saw Queens in misery."

Munnelly, who grew up in a household of musicians, said writing the song wasn't as difficult as he thought. Drawing from Lord's troubles and his own experience as an immigrant, the song just came together.

"I've had my tough times in Bensonhurst where I was only eating green beans," he said.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/12/01/2009-12-01_job_woes_work_for_composer_as_he_nets_award.html#ixzz0upOTJGJY


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/12/01/2009-12-01_job_woes_work_for_composer_as_he_nets_award.html#ixzz0upODr0TE - New York Daily News

Will sing for a job.

A Bensonhurst man has found a silver lining in the recession - winning a national award for his song about being laid off.

"The song is saying something about our times," said John Munnelly, 40, an amateur songwriter whose composition, "The Unemployment Blues," snagged the top spot and a $1,000 prize in a competition held by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation.

"I don't want to be a political spokesperson and I don't think I'm that clever. I just wanted to emotionally tell the truth," said Munnelly, a computer technician who moved to Brooklyn from Ireland six years ago.

Munnelly - who hasn't actually lost his job - entered his song in the Jay Gorney Award competition, ASCAP's first aimed at putting the country's economic woes to lyrics.

The award is named for the composer behind the 1930's hit and Depression-era anthem "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

A foundation spokesman said Munnelly's song - which chronicles the plight of a college-educated recession casualty - won because it gives a modern twist "to the concerns Jay Gorney expressed in his song."

"Seven years in college, to achieve my dream. Never thought I'd end up, with food stamps to redeem," go the lyrics, which Munnelly co-wrote with Christina Lord from Manhattan.

"I was laid off last week, don't know what I will do. I'm gonna go on line with the unemployment blues," the song continues.

Munnelly and Lord will be presented with the award and winnings next week.

Munnelly said he got the inspiration for the ditty last winter after speaking with Lord, who had just a week earlier been laid off as a graphic designer at a trade magazine.

The two put their heads together: Munnelly quickly came up with a melody and some lyrics, and over the course of the next seven months, the duo perfected the ditty.

"Being unemployed changes your life," said Lord, who is still searching for work. "You don't have anything to look forward to except to get up and look for a job."

Some of Lord's experiences as a job-seeker even found their way into "The Unemployment Blues" - including the time she got on the wrong subway train en route to a job interview and ended up in Queens, missing out on the possible gig altogether.

"Then someone knew somebody, wanted to see me. I chose the wrong direction, saw Queens in misery."

Munnelly, who grew up in a household of musicians, said writing the song wasn't as difficult as he thought. Drawing from Lord's troubles and his own experience as an immigrant, the song just came together.

"I've had my tough times in Bensonhurst where I was only eating green beans," he said.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/12/01/2009-12-01_job_woes_work_for_composer_as_he_nets_award.html#ixzz0upOTJGJY


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/12/01/2009-12-01_job_woes_work_for_composer_as_he_nets_award.html#ixzz0upODr0TE - New York Daily News