In 1990 Elektra Records asked me to arrange and produce a new version of this classic folk song recorded by The Seekers in 1972, which was oddly originally written as a Coke jingle (Buy the World a Coke), which last night was the closing music for the final episode of Mad Men.  For my version, I chose to put the song in a gospel context, and Jevetta Steele, who had recently sung my song Calling You for the film Bagdad Cafe, was the lead singer, with her brothers and sisters singing back vocals. I played piano and Butch Heyward played organ. I also composed a new chorus for the song.

I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing

from Bagdad Cafe the Musical, live in Lyon. Music by Bob Telson, lyrics by Lee Breuer. Sung by Jevetta Steele

I WANT THE SHERIFF
ARNIE IS THAT YOU?
IT'S BRENDA FROM THE BAGDAD
I WANT THE SHERIFF
ARNIE IS THAT YOU?
IT'S BRENDA FROM THE BAGDAD

I GOT A WEIRD CUSTOMER IN MY MOTEL.
A BOMB THREAT? 
NOT YET!
A MAN? NO. A WOMAN.
BUT NOT YOUR REGULAR KIND. 
SHE'S WEIRD ARNIE, I TELL YA SHE IS!
WHAT'S WEIRD?
SHE'S GOT SUSPICIOUS ITEMS IN HER ROOM
STRAIGHT RAZOR. SHARP AS HELL.
DANGEROUS? DANGEROUS???
WELL I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S DANGEROUS.

BUT SHE'S GOT MEN'S PAJAMAS, TIES, AND SHOES
LEATHER SHORTS WITH FANCY SUSPENDERS.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING
LEATHER! MAYBE SHE'S A PERVERT
THE ADVANCE PERVERT FOR A WHOLE PERVERT CONVENTION
THEY'LL DESCEND ON BAGDAD IN DROVES
THEY'LL FLY IN LIKE FLIES...

LISTEN SHERIFF, AM I GETTIN' THRU
THERE'S TROUBLE AT THE BAGDAD
HEY ARNIE, TELL ME WHAT TO DO
GET OVER TO THE BAGDAD-

ARNIE, YOU STILL THERE?
SHE'S GOT A BLUE BOX WITH SUSPICIOUS LETTERING
M-A-G-I-C
WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT STANDS FOR?
I BET IT'S CODE
SOME KIND OF FOREIGN AGENT CODE
YEAH...IT FIGURES CAUSE SHE'S GOT AN ACCENT
A VERY VERY STRANGE ACCENT
WHERE ARE YOU?

Phone Rap

Bob Telson is an American composer, singer/songwriter, and pianist best known for his work in musical theater and film, for which he has received Tony, Pulitzer, and Academy Award nominations.
Among his best known works are the score for “Bagdad Café” and the musical “The Gospel at Colonus” starring Morgan Freeman.
His songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Joe Cocker, Celine Dion, Etta James, k.d. lang, Shawn Colvin, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa and George Michael.

Phone Rap

Bob Telson

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