Eric Woolfson Follow

GRISWOLD:
It doesn't take a genius to make us feel egregious
By rhyming words like "nevermore"

REYNOLDS:
With "four" and "score" and "chamber door"
And "days of yore" and "more and more"

GRISWOLD:
Etcetera, etcetera

ALL:
Etcetera, etcetera

GRISWOLD:
You wouldn't think a plagiarist would be so unoriginal
It's more than just offensive,

REYNOLDS:
Why it's positively criminal!

GRISWOLD:
So nevermind the premature, let's get on with the burial!

REYNOLDS:
We've heard it all before!

ALL:
We've heard it all before!

GRISWOLD:
If some felon steals your jewelry you'd want him locked away,

REYNOLDS:
He's a criminal! He's a criminal!

GRISWOLD:
But if he steals your words and makes a fortune from the play,

REYNOLDS:
He's no genius! He's no genius!

GRISWOLD:
Integrity is all I ask, the jury has a simple task
Reviewing all the evidence, there really can be no defense,

REYNOLDS:
He doesn't have the common sense to be a genius!

GRISWOLD:
A genius.... a genius...
A genius is somebody expanding our philosophy

REYNOLDS:
Issuing mediocrity!

GRISWOLD:
Avoiding all verbosity

ALL:
Avoiding such verbosity

REYNOLDS:
Poe writes of an orangutan who carries out a fiendish plan

GRISWOLD:
Such animal could write the book itself it seems to me!

REYNOLDS:
I've discovered a long-lost continent!

GRISWOLD:
You're a genius! What a genius!

REYNOLDS:
I've decided to run for president!

GRISWOLD:
You're a genius... he's an idiot!
And so my friends we'll all agree this only proves my theory
It doesn't take a genius to be a genius!

ALL:
No it doesn't take a genius to be a genius!

GRISWOLD:
There really is no doubt at all, he doesn't have the wherewithal
The inspiration,

REYNOLDS:
Application,

GRISWOLD:
Concentration!

REYNOLDS:
Education!

GRISWOLD:
Innovation!

REYNOLDS:
Reputation!

GRISWOLD:
Dedication!

REYNOLDS:
Perspiration!

ALL:
Of true genius!
(A genius, a genius, a genius...)