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This is a track from an album I released in 2006 called Straight Ahead.
This recording was featured in the Sony/Screen Gems movie, Takers. The song is played by Hayden Christensen’s character, “AJ”, as his friend Jake (Michael Ealy) proposes to his girlfriend (Zoe Saldana).
I saw a lot of grads in caps and gowns on the streets of New York this week as NYU had their big graduation celebrations. I wanted to write a song about graduation and this is what I made.
There’s a lot of people from my college years that I really, really enjoyed spending time with, that I thought were just beautiful people, that I shared some really great moments with. I think about them still, even though most of them I haven’t seen or talked to since then. I don’t mean those college friends that remained a part of my life afterwards – I mean people who’s names I may not even remember anymore. It’s been a long time now.
This song is about those people, although the context of the song is obviously more romantic than not. Romantic or not, the idea is that if I went back to the time of my college graduation, I might just tell these friends and acquaintances that they are beautiful, that they’ll never be without friends, and that I’ll remember them.
Lyrics and sheet music are provided below.
Lyrics
Graduation (You’re The Prettiest Girl in the World) Words and Music by David J. Hahn
Verse 1:
It’s graduation Sally,
and I know that you’ve got to go,
But pack your bags real slow
And put me on your list of things to do.
We’ve got to talk, Sally,
Monday night was a mess.
But our time was getting short
And I thought I’d take a shot.
I know we’re not going gonna get it together
You and I never had a chance
I know I’m not the one, and frankly you’re not the one
I just have to say this before it’s done.
Chorus:
You’re the prettiest girl in the world.
You’ll never spend a day alone.
By Tuesday I’ll be gone,
But I will always remember you.
Verse 2:
I know we never talked a lot
I know we took it all too fast
But I was still surprised when it fell apart
I guess I thought that it would last.
Remember that bright night in June?
I knew for sure what we had.
But I made it all up,
I guess I never really listened to you.
This is not an apology.
I’m not sure if it ever hurt.
Life just went on, and life will go on,
I just think that you should know.
(Chorus)
Verse 3:
Years from now,
When I think back on these days -
I have so many memories now –
Which ones will time choose?
I’ll remember June.
I’ll remember you.
When we walked through the street lights
And laughed about where to go.
This isn’t me telling you what to be believe.
I’m not asking you for a response.
It’s just something I knew, and something I never told you
And I have to say it before we’re through.
I wrote this song on my day off. I woke up with the first few lines looping in my head, so I took the day to put it together. It actually works well as an uptempo, comedic, young, male, contemporary theatre song for you actors out there.
Lyrics
The Girl at the Mall Words and Music by David J. Hahn
She smells like Kung Pow Chicken and garlic knots, whoa,
She works at the mall.
Where everyone is happy, where everybody gets the chance to fall…
I’m falling in love.
I’m falling in love with the girl at the mall.
Her blue jeans are bedazzled the way I like.
And I like the way her hairs are crimped with clips and butterflies
that she bought at Claires.
She shops at Claires!
I’m falling in love with the girl at the mall.
And I know that it sucks to know she’s alone when she goes home.
So if she’d take me in, I’d buy a diamond ring
From the jewelry store next to the arcade that she likes.
See? I’ve thought of it all.
I’m falling in love with the girl at the mall.
Alexandra! Her name tag says Alexandra!
But I’m sure that she goes by Lexi…or Alex…or Allellexria…’cause that’s so cute.
And she’s so cute.
I’m falling in love with Lexi at the mall.
And we’re changing the key! Because I’m falling in love!
Oh Lexi, can’t you see yourself with me?
I’d drink all my Pepsi for free…
We’re falling in love.
Lexi and me at the mall.
Sheet Music
There’s sheet music in 3 different keys for different vocal ranges. I sing it in D, the saddest of all keys.
High note: E (belt) Starting key: G Ending key: Ab
This is a track from an album I released in 2006 called Straight Ahead. 
