Story Behind The Song

Ripped from the Daily News, June 6, 2003

Song Description

What Did I Miss? is a musical `docudrama' based on the true story of an Iraqi man who lived inside the wall of his parents' home for 21 years to escape Saddam Hussein. When the US invaded, he emerged. What would such a guy have to say? Simultaneously funn

Lyrics

Verse 1
I am Jawad Amir, I'm here to testify I spoke against Saddam, so he said I must die.
I fled to my parents, and after writing my will, I climbed into a wall near the window sill.
It's been 21 years living inside my wall, hoping for the day that Saddam would fall.
The US invaded and the Guard all ran; my legs are a little stiff, but here I am.
I'm feeling OK, but answer me this:

Chorus 1
What did I miss? Nothing much: People still get born, and then they get old,
while OJs' search for the killers has grown pretty cold.
What did I miss? Nothing much: Madonna, Brittany, Yanni, Cher, The Smiths, & The Cure,
Techno, Rap, New Age, & The Stones 'last' tour.
What did I miss? Nothing much: the Macarena, and Double Dutch,
Nothing much, nothing much, nothing much, nothing much.

Verse 2
You'd think that living in a wall is a curse, but it beats an Iraqi prison (or even worse).
I fixed it up with curtains and some building caulk; if my neighbors' couldn't see me, then no one could talk.
You'd think there's not much freedom with 2 1/2 feet, but I had my Koran and something to eat.
Some people call me the Ann Frank of Iraq; I'm just glad they didn't bomb my block.
I'm feeling OK, but answer me this:

Chorus 2
What did I miss? Nothing much: a few presidents, and maybe a pope, they fixed the Hubble telescope.
What did I miss? Nothing much: the Yankees won it 4 years in a row, but the subway series was a no-go.
What did I miss? Nothing much: they got these computers and gadgets and such,
Nothing much, nothing much, nothing much, nothing much.

Chorus 3
What did I miss? Much too much: some dissidents smashed, some Kurds were gassed.
What did I miss? Much too much: sorry to say some dear friends have passed.
What did I miss? Much too much: your little baby girl became a doctor last year.
What did I miss? Much too much: your best friend Ahmad has disappeared.
What did I miss? Much too much: they're just so many with whom we've lost touch.
It's just too much, it's just too much, it's much too much, it's much too much.