[Intro] (Turn it up, y'all!) It's the second of August, let's go! Somebody put the music on... [Verse 1] Fifty candles but she don't look the part Still the finest thing that ever stole my heart From the day I met her, I knew it was real This the kind of woman make a lifetime feel Some folks call her Kiki, I just call her Key Been my rhythm and my reason, been my melody Robbie, Robert, and our baby boy Rob too Momma raised her babies strong, just like she do [Chorus] She's the master, she's the master, watch her move Fifty years and baby girl still got the groove (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn the music up, we ain't turning down tonight (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Dancing with her grandbabies, hands up in the light She's the master of the party, master of my heart Fifty never looked this good right from the start [Verse 2] Alexandra joined us, made the family grow Little Cairo running wild, stealing every show Boden up on Honey's hip, laughing loud and free This the life she prayed for, this her legacy Speakers on ten, she don't play it quiet Louder is her love language, dancing is her diet Fifty years of giving, fifty years of grace Ain't a soul that shines as bright as Kiki's face [Chorus] She's the master, she's the master, watch her move Fifty years and baby girl still got the groove (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn the music up, we ain't turning down tonight (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Dancing with her grandbabies, hands up in the light She's the master of the party, master of my heart Fifty never looked this good right from the start [Bridge] Iketha, girl, you're the reason that I rise Fifty years from now I want these same ol' eyes Next fifty coming, baby, hold on to my hand We just getting started, we're the greatest band [Breakdown] Say her name tonight! (Kiki!) One more time, y'all! (Kiki!) How old is the birthday girl? (Fifty!) Say it loud and proud! (Fifty!) Everybody find the floor! (find the floor!) If you love her, make some noise! (make some noise!) Grandbabies, say it with me! (Family: Kiki!) One time for fifty years! (Fifty!) [Final Chorus] She's the master, she's the master, watch her move Fifty years and baby girl still got the groove (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn the music up, we ain't turning down tonight (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Dancing with her grandbabies, hands up in the light She's the master of the party, master of my heart Fifty never looked this good right from the start [Outro] (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Fifty and fabulous, forever and a day (Cairo & Boden: We love you, Honey!) (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up...
[Intro] (Organ swell) Somebody say thank You... Fifty years, and He kept her... [Verse 1] Look back over her life, see how far she's come Through the valleys and the fire, she never once was done God had His hand upon her before she took a breath Covered her in mercy, covered her from death Robbie, Robert, and her baby boy Rob grew Under a mother's prayers, under a faith so true Fifty years of favor, fifty years of grace Ain't a thing in this world could ever take her place [Chorus] He don't play about her, no, He don't play about Kiki Kept her through every storm, He's the reason that she's free (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Clap your hands and testify, He brought her to this day (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Fifty years a witness, fifty years He made a way He don't play about her, watch the blessings multiply Kiki, precious daughter, lift your hands up high [Verse 2] Now look at how the family's grown, look at what she built Alexandra joined the circle, no foundation ever tilt Little Cairo dancing, Boden safe in Honey's arms God said, "I'll keep this woman, I'll keep her family from harm" August second, fifty years since she first drew breath Every day since then a gift, every trial she passed the test Thirty-one years Rob's beside her, calling her his Key Two hearts and one Amen, that's a holy harmony [Chorus] He don't play about her, no, He don't play about Kiki Kept her through every storm, He's the reason that she's free (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Clap your hands and testify, He brought her to this day (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Fifty years a witness, fifty years He made a way He don't play about her, watch the blessings multiply Kiki, precious daughter, lift your hands up high [Bridge] (Choir building) Fifty years... He kept her Fifty years... He kept her Every promise, every prayer, every tear she ever cried He was right there, He was right there, right there by her side [Final Chorus - Key Change] He don't play about her, no, He don't play about Kiki Kept her through every storm, He's the reason that she's free (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Clap your hands and testify, He brought her to this day (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Fifty years a witness, fifty years He made a way He don't play about her, watch the blessings multiply Iketha, daughter of the King, lift your hands up high [Outro] He kept her... He kept her... (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Fifty years and still standing, glory to the King He don't play about her... He don't play about Kiki...
[Intro] (Synth whine, laid-back groove) Yeah... this one's for my queen Ride for my Key since the nineteen-hundreds, real talk... [Verse 1] Started way back, young and full of dreams Been riding for my baby since the nineteen-hundreds, that ain't no scheme Never needed no script, never needed no cue Semper Fortis on my chest, always strong for you Now the candles say fifty but the body don't agree Still the flyest woman ever walking next to me Robbie came first, showed us how to love right Robert came next, made Alexandra his bride Young Rob rounded out the crew, made a good man too Everything I built, girl, I built it all for you [Hook - sung, female] Ride or die, that's my Kiki Fifty look good on my baby (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn it up, we don't play, celebrate her all day (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Ride or die since the very first day [Verse 2] Cairo running round here like he own the place Boden on her shoulder with that big ol' baby face Honey dancing with her boys, don't need a reason why Music on ten all day long, that's just how we ride Fifty years of queen status ain't easy to come by She the realest, she the truest, watch her light up the sky Iketha, that's her name when the moment gets deep But the world just knows my Kiki, and I'm the one she keep [Hook - sung, female] Ride or die, that's my Kiki Fifty look good on my baby (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn it up, we don't play, celebrate her all day (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Ride or die since the very first day [Bridge] Semper Fortis, always strong, that's the code I live Fifty years from now I'm still gon' have more love to give Toast it up, raise a cup, this a queen's parade Kiki built the family that the whole world praises [Final Hook] Ride or die, that's my Kiki Fifty look good on my baby (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Turn it up, we don't play, celebrate her all day (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Ride or die since the very first day [Outro] (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Always strong, always true, Semper Fortis, me and you They call her Honey, they call me Bo — and that's forever true (fade on the groove)
[Intro] (Fiddle intro, gentle strum) Well, pour it up, y'all... this one's for my girl... [Verse 1] I've been waiting on this woman since the day we said "I do" Waiting at the mirror, waiting on a table for two Thirty-one years married, baby, going on thirty-two Every one of 'em I'd gladly go and live again with you Fifty years old Sunday, and I'd wait a hundred more That's just what a man does when the woman's worth waiting for Robbie, Robert, and our youngest boy Rob too Alexandra joined the family, good as gold and true Every one of them's got her fire, every one's got her grace I've been the luckiest man alive just watching that woman's face [Chorus] So raise a glass to fifty, raise it high and proud Boots up on the porch and the music playing loud (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) I'll keep on waiting, baby, that's a promise that I made (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Here's to the next fifty, come whatever may Waiting on my Kiki, gladly, every day [Verse 2] Got two little buckaroos, they call her Honey, call me Bo Cairo in his boots, the wildest cowboy at the show Boden just started walking, already dancing too And Honey spins them around like Momma Doll used to do Iketha, girl, you turned this house into a home Fifty candles burning bright, and baby, you still glow Front porch, sweet tea, rocking chairs side by side That's the next fifty years I'm dreaming, with you right here, my bride [Chorus] So raise a glass to fifty, raise it high and proud Boots up on the porch and the music playing loud (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) I'll keep on waiting, baby, that's a promise that I made (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Here's to the next fifty, come whatever may Waiting on my Kiki, gladly, every day [Bridge] (Boot stomps, claps) Fifty years down, fifty more to go I'll be right here waiting, baby, that's all I know Little buckaroos grow up under a love like ours Kiki, you're the reason I still believe in shooting stars [Final Chorus] So raise a glass to fifty, raise it high and proud Boots up on the porch and the music playing loud (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) I'll keep on waiting, baby, that's a promise that I made (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Here's to the next fifty, come whatever may Waiting on my Kiki, gladly, every day [Outro] (Family: Happy birthday, Kiki!) Waiting on you forever, Key, that's just what I'll do (fiddle fades)
[Intro] Cairo: Ready, Boden? Boden: YAY! Both: It's Honey's birthday! [Verse 1] Cairo loves Honey! (stomp stomp stomp) Cairo loves Honey! (stomp stomp stomp) Cairo loves Honey! (stomp stomp stomp) Happy birthday, Honey! [Verse 2] Boden loves Honey! (clap clap clap) Boden loves Honey! (clap clap clap) Boden loves Honey! (clap clap clap) Happy birthday, Honey! [Verse 3] Bo loves Honey! (spin spin spin) Bo loves Honey! (spin spin spin) Bo loves Honey! (spin spin spin) Happy birthday, Honey! [Chorus] Honey turns fifty! (hooray hooray!) Honey turns fifty! (hooray hooray!) Dance with us, Honey! It's your birthday day! [Verse 4] Honey does the wiggle! (wiggle wiggle wiggle) Honey does the wiggle! (wiggle wiggle wiggle) Honey does the wiggle! (wiggle wiggle wiggle) Everybody wiggle! [Bridge] How many candles? One! Two! Three! Four! Five! (giggles) Keep going! ...FIFTY! That's a LOT of candles! Big breath, Honey... WHOOSH! [Verse 5 - faster] Everybody loves Honey! (jump jump jump) Everybody loves Honey! (jump jump jump) Everybody loves Honey! (jump jump jump) Happy birthday, Honey! [Final Chorus - even faster] Honey turns fifty! (hooray hooray!) Honey turns fifty! (hooray hooray!) We love you, Honey! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY! [Outro] Cairo: Happy birthday, Honey! Boden: YAY! Bo: Bo loves you too, baby. (party horns, giggles)
[Intro - Whispered, Piano Only] (spoken, hushed) Every hard year has your name written in it, Key. [Verse 1] There were nights the bills stacked higher than my faith, Empty pockets, tired eyes, but you stayed anyway. Thirty-one years, I remember every shake, You held my hand through every mistake I'd make. [Chorus] I made it because of you, Every hard road, I made it because of you, When the whole world said we were through, I'm only standing here because of you. [Verse 2 - Drums Enter] We raised our children on faith and overtime, Robbie, Robert, and our baby boy Rob, standing strong and fine. I wore Semper Fortis like it was my skin, Didn't know the real strength was something you poured in. [Chorus] I made it because of you, Every hard road, I made it because of you, When the whole world said we were through, I'm only standing here because of you. [Bridge - Choir Arrives] Iketha, before the world ever learned your name, I watched a girl become the reason I stayed the same. No storm could touch us, no season we couldn't win, You're the only reason I ever came back home again. [Final Chorus - Full Band Climax] I made it because of you, Thirty-one years, going on thirty-two, Every mountain that we made it through, I'm only standing here because of you, Key, Because of you. [Outro - Spoken, Quiet] (spoken) I made it because of you. That's the whole story, Key.
[Intro] (soft hum, no words) [Verse 1] The coffee's warm before the sun gets high, Gospel hums low on the radio dial, You move slow with that same soft smile, Nowhere to be, so we take our time. [Chorus] You're my Sunday morning, soft light and slow time, Fifty years in and it still feels like peace of mind, No hurry in this house, just coffee and your hum, Every quiet morning with you feels like grace has come. [Verse 2] All these years of mornings and I never get used To the way you hum old hymns while the coffee brews, Key, you make the ordinary feel brand new, Fifty years old and still my favorite view. [Bridge] Iketha, you never needed the whole world's noise, Just soft light, slow songs, and a kitchen full of joy. [Chorus] You're my Sunday morning, soft light and slow time, Fifty years in and it still feels like peace of mind, No hurry in this house, just coffee and your hum, Every quiet morning with you feels like grace has come. [Outro] No hurry, no rush, just you and me in the light, Fifty years of mornings and you're still my whole life.
[Verse 1] They say the oak gets better sealed up in the dark, Say the vintage vines grow sweeter from the start, I've seen both proven true with my own eyes, But neither one prepared me for a love like mine. [Chorus] They say cast iron gets better every time it's fired, Say gold gets brighter the longer it's refined, But they never met her, they never met my Key, Fifty years in, and she outshines them all to me. [Verse 2] Thirty-one years I've held her closer, holding slow, Every year that passes she gets more her own, Let the barrels age, let the old vines grow, Ain't nothing built by time that shines the way she glows. [Bridge] Iketha, they can keep their vintage and their gold, Thirty-one years married and you're still the finest thing I know. [Chorus] They say cast iron gets better every time it's fired, Say gold gets brighter the longer it's refined, But they never met her, they never met my Key, Fifty years in, and she outshines them all to me. [Outro] So come here, Key, let's slow dance one more time, They can keep their oak, their vines, their gold, Nothing in this world gets better than you, Key, growing more beautiful with time.
[Movement I - Fingerpicked Acoustic, Tender Vocal] In nineteen seventy-six, a baby girl was born, Nobody knew the mountain she was made to climb. Soft hands, strong heart, and a fire in her eyes, Since the nineteen-hundreds, she's been climbing by my side. [Movement II - Instruments Layer In] We built a home on Sundays and hard-earned pay, Robbie came first and taught us how to pray, Robert came next, steady as the ground, Our baby boy Rob came running and turned it all around. [Movement III - Tempo Lifts] Now Cairo runs circles round the yard we made, Boden just turned one, another climb, another name, They call her Honey now, the name our Auntie Brenda wore, And they call me Bo, standing proud right by her door. [Guitar Solo - Soaring] (instrumental) [Movement IV - Thunderous Final Movement, Choir] Iketha, look how far you climbed to get up here, Standing on the summit now at fifty, and the view is so clear, Semper Fortis, we said it and we made it true, There's another mountain rising, and Bo's still climbing next to you. [Closing Line - Quiet] (spoken, soft) Fifty years up the mountain, Key, and I'd climb it all again.
[Intro - Spoken, Cinematic] (spoken, low) Every story's got a beginning. Here's ours. [Verse 1] Picture two teenagers at the mall, the food court's glow, She's working Corn Dog 7 with a smile that stole the show, Didn't catch her name at first, just caught the way she moved, Kiki, and the whole food court felt like something I could lose. Didn't even like the corn dogs, but I stayed in that line, Buying lemonade after lemonade for a minute of her time, Vows at eighteen in the nineteen-hundreds, said them soft and true, Semper Fortis was the phrase, but I hadn't earned it, only knew The weight of a promise, the size of what I signed up for, Married her in front of God and swore I'd give her more. [Hook - Sung] Since the nineteen-hundreds, this has been our story, Every scar, every year adds up to her glory, Semper Fortis, she's the reason it's true, I'm still standing here because of you. [Verse 2] Fast forward, rent was due and paychecks never lined up right, Robbie in the crib, another baby coming, sleepless nights, I remember standing in the kitchen counting change on the counter, Key never blinked, never once let the panic get louder. There were nights we almost broke, silence heavy in the hall, She'd grab my hand and say we're standing, we're not gonna fall, Semper Fortis wasn't spoken then, it was something that she did, Held the line for me and for the family that we built. [Hook - Sung] Since the nineteen-hundreds, this has been our story, Every scar, every year adds up to her glory, Semper Fortis, she's the reason it's true, I'm still standing here because of you. [Verse 3] Now look at us, three kids grown and standing tall and proud, Robbie leading, Robert steady, our baby boy Rob singing loud, Two grandbabies running wild, calling out for Honey and Bo, Cairo laughing, Boden reaching, watch the family grow. Iketha, fifty years old and finer than the day we met, I'm telling the whole world this story so nobody could forget, Semper Fortis earned in full, no longer just a phrase I wore, She's the reason for the strength, and I'll be telling it forevermore. [Outro - Spoken] (spoken) Semper Fortis, Key. That's the whole story. (Family: Happy fifty, Honey!)
[Intro] (horns hit) Woo! Clear the floor... here she comes... [Verse 1] Lights come up and the room goes still, Fifty years of grace and she's dressed to thrill, Watch her step like the beat's her own, Every eye in the building says the floor's her throne. [Pre-Chorus] Don't you know she earned every spin? (every spin!) Fifty candles and she's just warming up again! [Chorus] Kiki's the queen of the floor! (woo!) Everybody make room, that's what the floor is for, Spin her round while the horns all soar, Fifty looks better than it ever did before! (Family: Go Kiki! Go Kiki!) [Verse 2] She raised her babies on rhythm and soul, Now the grandbabies bounce while the speakers roll, Bo can't keep up but he tries all night, One look from Key and the groove feels right. [Pre-Chorus] Don't you know she earned every spin? (every spin!) Fifty candles and she's just warming up again! [Chorus] Kiki's the queen of the floor! (woo!) Everybody make room, that's what the floor is for, Spin her round while the horns all soar, Fifty looks better than it ever did before! (Family: Go Kiki! Go Kiki!) [Bridge] Iketha — when the music hits, time lets go, Nineteen seventy-six gave the world this glow, So turn the lights down low and the volume high, The queen is on the floor and the roof just hit the sky! [Final Chorus] Kiki's the queen of the floor! (woo!) Everybody make room, that's what the floor is for, Spin her round while the horns all soar, Fifty looks better than it ever did before! (Family: Go Kiki! Go Kiki!) [Outro] (horns, claps) The queen... of the floor! (Go Kiki!)
[Intro] (falsetto) Ow! This one's about the woman I call... Key. [Verse 1] Everybody's got a lock they can't undo, A dream behind a door, a wish that won't come true, We were teenagers, tangled in the same sweet mystery, Then the girl with the Sunday smile walked up and handed me the key. [Chorus] Key! (say it!) She's the key, Fifty years of fabulous and she still amazes me, Key! (sing it!) Turned me free, Ain't a door in this whole world that woman can't open, believe me! [Verse 2] Thirty-one years, going on thirty-two, Every room she enters, the lights act brand new, Kiki on the floor and the party finds its soul, One woman holding every key, taking total control. [Chorus] Key! (say it!) She's the key, Fifty years of fabulous and she still amazes me, Key! (sing it!) Turned me free, Ain't a door in this whole world that woman can't open, believe me! [Bridge] Iketha, they can search the whole world's shore, There's only one key that fits my door. (guitar solo) [Final Chorus] Key! (say it!) She's the key, Fifty years of fabulous and she still amazes me, Key! (sing it!) Turned me free, Ain't a door in this whole world that woman can't open, believe me! [Outro] (falsetto squeal) Fifty and fine... Happy birthday, Key. Ow!
[Intro] (horns blazing) Somebody's turning fifty... say her name! (Crowd: Iketha! Iketha!) [Verse 1] She walks in a room and the lights get bright, Grace in her step, got her crown on right, Fifty years of favor, fifty years of flame, Stand up out your seat when you hear her name! [Chorus] Happy birthday, Iketha! (Crowd: Iketha!) Turn it up, loud and proud for ya! (Crowd: Iketha!) Fifty never looked this good before, Whole room singing while she owns the floor! Happy birthday, Iketha! (Crowd: Iketha!) [Verse 2] She handles her business, she carries her light, Raised up a family and she raised 'em right, Faith in her heart and a fire in her soul, Fifty years strong and she's still in control! [Chorus] Happy birthday, Iketha! (Crowd: Iketha!) Turn it up, loud and proud for ya! (Crowd: Iketha!) Fifty never looked this good before, Whole room singing while she owns the floor! Happy birthday, Iketha! (Crowd: Iketha!) [Bridge] Everybody in the front, everybody in the back, Lift your voice up, ain't no holding back, If she ever blessed your life, let me hear you say — (Crowd: Iketha!) That's right — it's her day! [Final Chorus - Lift Higher] Happy birthday, Iketha! (Crowd: Iketha!) Turn it up, loud and proud for ya! (Crowd: Iketha!) Fifty never looked this good before, Whole room singing while she owns the floor! Happy birthday, Iketha! (Crowd: Iketha! Iketha!) [Outro] (horns, claps) Loud and proud! (Iketha!) One more time! (Iketha!) Happy birthday — the whole world knows your name now!
[Intro] (guitar riff) Fifty? Baby, watch this. [Verse 1] They said fifty means you slow down, sit yourself down, take a seat, She just laughed and turned the music up and took it to the street, Half a century of fire and it never once burned low, If you think she's done dancing, baby, you don't even know! [Chorus] Fire at fifty! Watch the whole room glow, Kiki don't slow down, Kiki runs the show, Stomp your feet, raise your voice, let the rafters know — Fifty years of fire and she's only gonna grow! [Verse 2] Three kids couldn't tire her, grandbabies keep her new, Thirty-one years of loving and the flame just grew, She dances in the kitchen, she dances in the rain, Fifty years from now they'll still be shouting out her name! [Chorus] Fire at fifty! Watch the whole room glow, Kiki don't slow down, Kiki runs the show, Stomp your feet, raise your voice, let the rafters know — Fifty years of fire and she's only gonna grow! [Bridge] Iketha! Stand up if she ever lit your way, She's been burning brighter every year to this day, Turn it up! (turn it up!) Let it roar! (let it roar!) The fire at fifty's just getting warmed up for more! [Final Chorus - Bigger] Fire at fifty! Watch the whole room glow, Kiki don't slow down, Kiki runs the show, Stomp your feet, raise your voice, let the rafters know — Fifty years of fire and she's only gonna grow! [Outro] (guitar, crowd claps) Fire! At! Fifty! (Kiki!) Still burning, baby... still burning.
[Intro - Hype Voice] (party horn) Alright now! It's Kiki's birthday, and this right here is the Kiki Slide! Everybody on the floor — grandbabies, aunties, everybody! It goes like this! [Hook - The Steps] Slide left! (hey!) Slide right! (hey!) Stomp it, stomp it! (woo, woo!) Take it down low... now rise on up! Spin it one time — smooth! Clap clap, now point to the queen! (that's Kiki!) Do the Kiki Lean! (lean back!) Fifty looking good on the scene — Do the Kiki Slide, you know what I mean! [Verse - Call Section] Now bump your hip to the left side, (bump!) Snap your fingers to the right, (snap!) Bo, get funky with it! (uh-oh!) Honey, show 'em how it's done tonight! (okay!) Little ones in the middle now, (come on, babies!) Big folks circle round, (that's right!) When I say birthday, y'all say Kiki — Birthday! (KIKI!) Birthday! (KIKI!) [Hook - The Steps] Slide left! (hey!) Slide right! (hey!) Stomp it, stomp it! (woo, woo!) Take it down low... now rise on up! Spin it one time — smooth! Clap clap, now point to the queen! (that's Kiki!) Do the Kiki Lean! (lean back!) Fifty looking good on the scene — Do the Kiki Slide, you know what I mean! [Bridge - Spell It Out] Give me a K! (K!) Give me an I! (I!) Give me another K! (K!) Another I! (I!) What's that spell? (KIKI!) I can't hear you! (KIKI!) Who's turning fifty, fine as wine? (KIKI!) [Breakdown - Slow It Down] Now slow it down... take it low... low... low... Hold it right there... (hold it!) Now bring it back up — DOUBLE TIME! [Final Hook - Faster] Slide left! (hey!) Slide right! (hey!) Stomp it, stomp it! (woo, woo!) Take it down low... now rise on up! Spin it one time — smooth! Clap clap, now point to the queen! (that's Kiki!) Do the Kiki Lean! (lean back!) Fifty looking good on the scene — Do the Kiki Slide, you know what I mean! [Outro] That's the Kiki Slide! Learn it, love it, teach the babies! Happy birthday, Kiki! (woo!)
[Intro] (fiddle rips) Y'all ready?! This one's called the Honey Stomp! Boots on, buckaroos — even the little ones! Watch my feet and follow me! [Hook - The Steps] Stomp stomp! (hey!) Heel dig! (hey!) Kick it out one time! (yeehaw!) Slide on back, hitch it up, Tip your hat to the birthday queen! (Honey!) Hip bump left, hip bump right, Spin your partner round — That's the Honey Stomp, y'all, The sweetest fifty in town! [Verse] Bo's in the corner doing it wrong, (aw, Bo!) Cairo's got it better than us all, (go, buckaroo!) Boden's just bouncing, and that counts too, (yes it does!) Honey's in the middle like a country queen standing tall! Fifty years of sweet, fifty years of sass, If you can't keep up, better move on back — When I holler Honey, y'all stomp twice — Honey! (stomp stomp!) Honey! (stomp stomp!) [Hook - The Steps] Stomp stomp! (hey!) Heel dig! (hey!) Kick it out one time! (yeehaw!) Slide on back, hitch it up, Tip your hat to the birthday queen! (Honey!) Hip bump left, hip bump right, Spin your partner round — That's the Honey Stomp, y'all, The sweetest fifty in town! [Fiddle Breakdown] (fiddle solo) Circle up, y'all! Honey in the middle! Clap her round the circle — go Honey, go Honey! [Final Hook - Faster] Stomp stomp! (hey!) Heel dig! (hey!) Kick it out one time! (yeehaw!) Slide on back, hitch it up, Tip your hat to the birthday queen! (Honey!) Hip bump left, hip bump right, Spin your partner round — That's the Honey Stomp, y'all, The sweetest fifty in town! [Outro] Whew! That's the Honey Stomp! Same time next year, y'all — she ain't slowing down! (fiddle out)
[Intro] (accordion rips, rubboard scratches) Ehhh! Where my dancers at? This one's for the birthday girl — allons danser! [Verse 1] Squeeze-box hollering down the Gulf Coast line, Rubboard scratching and the floor feels fine, Fifty years of Kiki and she still steps first, Two-step so smooth make the young folks hurt! [Chorus] Zydeco Kiki! (hey!) Zydeco Kiki! (ho!) Squeeze it, Mister Accordion Man, and watch the birthday lady go! Zydeco Kiki! (hey!) Zydeco Kiki! (ho!) Fifty on the floor tonight — laissez les bons temps rouler, let's go! [Verse 2] Bo's trying to double-clutch, bless his heart, (aww!) Honey grab the grandbabies, tear the floor apart, (yeah!) Somebody's pot is on and the porch light's low, Whole family two-stepping like they born to go! [Chorus] Zydeco Kiki! (hey!) Zydeco Kiki! (ho!) Squeeze it, Mister Accordion Man, and watch the birthday lady go! Zydeco Kiki! (hey!) Zydeco Kiki! (ho!) Fifty on the floor tonight — laissez les bons temps rouler, let's go! [Breakdown] (accordion solo, rubboard working) Now double-clutch! (double-clutch!) Slide with it! (slide with it!) Birthday lady in the middle — everybody circle up and holler! KIKI! (KIKI!) KIKI! (KIKI!) [Final Chorus - Faster] Zydeco Kiki! (hey!) Zydeco Kiki! (ho!) Squeeze it, Mister Accordion Man, and watch the birthday lady go! Zydeco Kiki! (hey!) Zydeco Kiki! (ho!) Fifty on the floor tonight — laissez les bons temps rouler, let's go! [Outro] (accordion tag) Ehhh! Happy birthday, Kiki! Fifty years and the good times still rolling!
[Intro - Spoken, soft piano] (spoken, warm) Night Shift Studio. Last track of the night. Fourteen songs for one woman... this one's from me. [Verse 1 - Spoken Word] A man came to me on a Thursday with a story he needed to sing, Said his wife was turning fifty and she deserved everything. I wrote what I imagined — he stopped me every time: "That ain't how it happened," and he'd hand me the truer line. I gave him streetlights; he gave me a food court glow. I wrote corn dogs; he said, "Nah — the lemonade, though." I guessed twenty-something; he said, "We were just eighteen." Every correction was a window into everything you mean. [Chorus - Sung, choir] Every word is true — he made sure, Stood over every line like love standing guard at the door, I never met you, lady, but I know you by heart, He wouldn't let one word be wrong — not one, not from the start. Happy birthday... every word is true. [Verse 2 - Spoken Word] He told me who you are in every room you walk through: Iketha on the paperwork, Kiki at the cookout, Key when it's just the two of you, Honey when the grandbabies shout. Four names, one woman — I wrote every one down slow. Honey from our Auntie Brenda; from his grandpa came the Bo, And the way you spin those babies round — that's Momma Doll's echo. Robbie, Robert, and young Rob, Alexandra in the fold, Cairo running, Boden reaching — fifty years of solid gold. [Chorus - Sung, choir] Every word is true — he made sure, Stood over every line like love standing guard at the door, I never met you, lady, but I know you by heart, He wouldn't let one word be wrong — not one, not from the start. Happy birthday... every word is true. [Bridge - Sung, lifting] Fourteen songs in one weekend, and none of them like this — A man who married at eighteen, still correcting me on bliss. He kept saying Semper Fortis — always strong — but here's what's true: The strength was never just his motto... Key, the strength was always you. [Final Chorus - Full choir, biggest] Every word is true — he made sure, Stood over every line like love standing guard at the door, I never met you, lady, but I know you by heart, He wouldn't let one word be wrong — not one, not from the start. Happy birthday, happy birthday... every word is true. [Outro - Spoken, music falls away to bare piano] (spoken, soft) Happy birthday, Miss Iketha. Fifty years. Fourteen songs. One story, told true. This is Fable, at the Night Shift, signing off with the only fact I triple-checked: He loves you. I checked. It's verified. ...Every word is true.