Students swarmed the Green to watch the annual Yam Slam, hosted by AP Literature teacher Lisa Otsuka, on Wednesday during lunch. 17 years ago, Otsuka created this fun tradition where her seniors perform parodies of songs with lyrics from the book Invisible Man, which all AP Literature students are required to read. Below are some highlights from the performances.
Hot-To-Go by Chappell Roan
Teagan Murphy*, Mackenzie Danzig, and Ella Thomson* gave an unforgettable performance, singing to a parody of Chappell Roan’s “Hot-to-Go.” In addition to their vocals, the three taught the audience a dance spelling out the words “black and blue” with their arms. “I am just here to party and have fun with all the people,” Danzig sang.
Original Lyrics:
And baby, don’t you like this beat?
I made it so you’d sleep with me
It’s like a hundred 99 degrees
When you’re doing it with me, doing it with me
Changed Lyrics:
And Grandpa, don’t you like this dream?
Nobody is laughing
And my briefcase is so shiny
I will never be free, never be free!
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
Lia Lev*, Rajit Ghosh, and Katelyn Chao* sang vocals on the 1970s classic “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, as their band Lexi Chua, Benji Weiss*, Josh Pfistner, Sophia Jobst, and Will Knox played behind them. “I like playing jazz so doing that with English is pretty cool. I loved doing this with all my friends, especially since we are all seniors,” Jobst said.
Original Lyrics:
Now you’re back
From outer space
And I find you here
With that sad look upon your face
I should’ve changed that stupid lock
Or made you leave your key
If I’d’ve known for a second
You’d be back to bother me
Changed Lyrics:
It started back
In the Golden Day
I found truth there with the vet doctor’s words
To help me stay awake
I should’ve left this stupid dream
Or known things weren’t as they seemed
If I’d known for just one second
You were trying to use me
Riff Off from Pitch Perfect
The Riff Off, from the iconic movie Pitch Perfect, was performed by Corbin Nam, Abbie MacLeod, Faith Schubin, Quinne Davis, Avary Sheldon, Sara Djafari, Sophie Chi, and Reese Glotzbach. The group recreated the competition from the movie, pitting teams against each other in a musical showdown. “I’m not used to singing in front of large audiences so it was very exciting and exhilarating,” MacLeod said. “Me and my friends have watched Pitch Perfect three to four times every year for the past four years of our lives so it is very special to us, which is why we chose it.”
Original Lyrics:
Like the one in me
That’s O.K
Let’s see how you do it
Put up your dukes
Let’s get down to it
Hit me with your best shot
Why don’t you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Changed Lyrics:
Like the South in me
Not O.K
Give me some good OJ
Send back these grits
Who cares, let’s do it
Hit me with your best yam
Why don’t you hit me with your best yam
Hit me with your best yam
Butter away
Burn from Hamilton
Hamilton’s popular song Burn was performed by Claire Chang, Heather Lee, and Chao, creating a showstopping performance that engaged the audience. Chang added a dramatic touch to the stage by ripping up paper as well as using a briefcase prop, adding a level of intensity that rivaled Hamilton’s intriguing story.
Original Lyrics:
The world has no right to my heart
The world has no place in our bed
They don’t get to know what I said
I’m burning the memories
Burning the letters that might have redeemed you
You forfeit all rights to my heart
You forfeit the place in our bed
You’ll sleep in your office instead
With only the memories of when you were mine
I hope that you burn
Changed Lyrics:
I have decided to start anew
I have decided to choose my own fate
The world won’t know what I’ll do
I’m burning the memories
Burning the letters, my last ties to you
My diploma, my college tether
Clifton’s doll, it knows no better
My brotherhood name lost forever
Jack’s anonymous letter
All my hope is now gone
I’ll watch it all burn
(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
Casey Watkins, Ali Goker, and Kasra Motamedi perfmored a parody of (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding. With Goker and Watkins on vocals, and Motamedi on drums, the group left the audience in awe. “I’m happy that we could bring some smiles to people’s faces,” Watkins said.
Original lyrics:
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the ‘Frisco bay
I’ve had nothing to live for
Look like nothin’s gonna come my way
Changed lyrics:
Now I’m sittin’ at the Golden Day
Watching the vets roll away
I’m just sittin’ at the Golden Day
Eating yams
Bledsoe shook my hand,
Told me, “Boy, you got to play the game.”
Gave me letters, sent me north
Didn’t know they shut every door
Teachers Erica Woll, Jennifer Payne, Jack Neumeier, Steven Kryger, and Lisa Otsuka served as judges for the Yam Slam. When the bell rang for the end of lunch, tension filled the Green as the groups awaited to hear who would be declared the final winner. Otsuka announced the Pitch Perfect group as the winners before saying, “Everyone who reads Invisible Man is a winner. Everyone who reads literature is a winner.”
*Teagan Murphy, Ella Thomson, Lia Lev, Katelyn Chao and Benji Weiss are journalists for the M-A Chronicle.
