It's the Landing

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Lyrics

[Verse 1 - Male Vocal, Baritone]
I had a good one loaded up tonight
The setup smooth, the timing wound up tight
I held the pause and read the room just right
Then the punchline hit the floor and died
I told it slow, I told it twice, I tried
The gap between the joke and laugh went wide
And silence found me like a spotlight

[Chorus]
The setup's fine — it's the landing
Every single time
The setup's fine — it's the landing
Can't stick it for a dime
I build it up, brick by brick
The fuse is lit, the pause is quick
Then the punchline hits the floor: ka-clunk
It's not the joke — it's how I tell it
Class of one. And I'd still flunk.

[Verse 2 - Male Vocal, Baritone]
I told the one about the garden hose
The kids just stared. Sharon's eyebrow rose.
That one had killed at Christmas, heaven knows
I must have dropped a word, I lost the thread
I tried to save it — doubled down instead
Chip's got no tail to wag. He shook his head.
I laughed alone until the moment was dead

[Chorus]
(repeat)

[Bridge - Spoken, half-laughing]
Why did the chicken— 
[Pause]
no, hang on
I had it a second ago
[Pause]
It's in here somewhere
[Build]
Okay— okay, here it comes—
[Pause]

[Verse 3 - Male Vocal, Baritone]
So now I keep a backup in my vest
A second punchline holstered at my chest
A Plan C in the truck with all the rest
I run it in the mirror twice again
I know the beat, I know the where and when
And still I flub the last four words — and then
I grin like it's the ending I meant best

[Chorus]
(repeat)

[Outro - slower, quieter]
So here's my last one. Gather near.
I've had this one for thirty year.
[pause]
(...I already forgot it. Oh dear.)
[End]

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