Last weekend I was driving around doing some errands and naturally I was listening to NPR. Come on, I mean weekend NPR, Wait Wait, Whad'ya Know?, Car Talk, The Splendid Table, and of course, A Prarie Home Companion. It was while listening to the mighty PHC when Garrison introduced a lovely singer named Kristin Andreassen. What she brought forth had me grinning ear to ear. I was completely enraptured by this pixie who it turns out is adorable as she sounds. I had to share her with you. The song in question is "Crayola" and you can hear a high quality version on her MySpace page here. You can also hear the actual version by checking the 18:30 mark of the January 3, 2008 broadcast:



Here's some lyrics to help you:



I went to see the doctor. I'd come down with the blues.
She said "No, I can't cure you, but I know something you can do.
Take out a piece of paper, and sit down for a while,
and draw a pretty picture of something that makes you smile."
Well, I know what makes me happy. Didn't have to think for long.
But when I tried to draw it, it always came out wrong.
I had a box of 12, 48 and 64,
but nowhere could I find that one shade I was looking for.
I guess I realized shoulda come as no surprise
Crayola doesn't make a color for your eyes.
There is no way that I could possibly describe you.
Crayola doesn't make a color to draw my love.
At first I thought of Green Blue, but then I saw Blue Green.
And then sometimes in bright light, they look Aquamarine.
I think at night they're darker. I looked again for you.
Saw Grey and Black and went out walkin' after Midnight Blue
But the hues of the deepest skies would be a compromise...

Chorus

Spring Green is much too yellow, Sea Green is far too pale.
Cornflower's way too mellow, so I'll try again and fail.
There's no way I can capture the way you make me feel.
One look from you is rapture, whether Blue or Green or Teal.
No color qualifies. That crayon's telling lies...
Crayola doesn't make a color...
Hey look, it's Periwinkle. So sure I got it now.
But you wink and there's a twinkle in your eye and still, somehow,
I just can't get that sparkle. Those glitter crayons won't.
Maybe Glow-In-The-Dark'll get it right. Aw, no they don't.
Mr. Crayola tries, but I'm left to fantasize...
Crayola doesn't make a color...
For your eyes, something darker let's see what I can find.
Melted mahogany and got the depth not the shine.
Just about gave up and then I peeled the paper off a little end of...
Really thought it coulda been... ahh, not even Burnt Sienna!
Your passport says they're brown, but I'm gonna keep lookin' round...



And I couldn't resist digging up a clip of her singing it on YouTube. The audio isn't the best but it revealed something pretty cool...the percussion you hear through the whole song is her and her friend playing pattycake. Awesome.





And while we're at it, the beautiful girls of Alpha Kappa Mu did their version at what one can only assume was a Greek talent show. Well done, girls.





Now. Now that you're in love with Kristin, go buy her album. Or at least the single, you cheap bastard.