Continuing my testing of ChatGPT, I decided to take a stab at its songwriting skills. My first attempt was “Compose a song about the irs shutdown blues.”

In a few seconds, it came up with:

IRS Shutdown Blues
(Verse 1)
Woke up this morning, with news on my screen,
The IRS’s down, it’s like a bad dream.
Taxes and refunds, all in a queue,
I’ve got those IRS shutdown blues.

(Chorus)
Shutdown blues, can’t catch a break,
Waiting on that money, for heaven’s sake.
Tried to call them up, but what’s the use?
Oh, I’ve got those IRS shutdown blues.

(Verse 2)
Paperwork stacked, as high as the sky,
Looking for answers, but getting the sly.
Need that refund, to pay my dues,
Stuck in the middle of these shutdown blues.

(Chorus)
Shutdown blues, patience wears thin,
When will the doors open, and let us back in?
Can’t make any moves, feeling so confused,
Drowning deep in these IRS shutdown blues.

(Bridge)
Auditors at home, sipping their brews,
Taxpayers on hold, singing the blues.
The government’s at a standstill, front-page news,
Can’t shake off these shutdown blues.

(Verse 3)
Neighbors complaining, friends feeling low,
Everyone’s waiting, for the green light to go.
Uncertainty’s spreading, like the morning’s fresh dew,
Wrapped up tight in these shutdown blues.

(Chorus)
Shutdown blues, deadlines loom near,
Hoping for clarity, as April draws near.
Gotta stay strong, wear my walking shoes,
Marching through these IRS shutdown blues.

(Outro)
So here’s my song, my lament, and my muse,
A tale of bureaucracy, delays, and short fuses.
But we’ll overcome, like we always do,
Till then, I’ll be singing the IRS shutdown blues.

I then hit the Regenerate button and up popped this slightly different version:

IRS Shutdown Blues

(Verse 1)
Woke up this morning, to some real bad news,
Government’s stalling, got the IRS shutdown blues.
Can’t get my refund, can’t pay my dues,
Everything’s halted, what am I gonna do?

(Verse 2)
Auditors are resting, phones don’t ring,
Waiting for a resolution, oh what the day might bring.
Paperwork’s piling, no one’s there to go through,
Stuck in this limbo, IRS shutdown blues.

(Chorus)
Oh, the Capitol’s a battleground, politicians fight,
While we’re out here waiting, deep into the night.
Give me a break, give me my clues,
I’m dancing alone with the IRS shutdown blues.

(Verse 3)
Neighbors are talking, about how they’re gonna cope,
Some finding humor, others losing hope.
Tax season’s a mess, got those no-answer cues,
Bureaucracy’s best with the IRS shutdown blues.

(Bridge)
Mama needs her money, bills won’t wait,
Daddy’s on the sideline, says it’s a twist of fate.
I’ve got the calendar, counting the days it ensues,
Every tick’s a reminder of the IRS shutdown blues.

(Verse 4)
Coffee shops humming, with tales of dismay,
Everyone wondering, how long this delay?
Checking the headlines, for any good news,
But all I find are more folks with the IRS shutdown blues.

(Chorus)
Oh, the Capitol’s a battleground, sides won’t concede,
While we’re out here struggling, trying to proceed.
Give us some light, clear up these hues,
It’s a nationwide dance, the IRS shutdown blues.

(Solo – Harmonica or Guitar)

(Verse 5)
When it’s all over, and they’re back in line,
I hope they remember, the people’s time.
For now, I’m waiting, paying my societal dues,
Lost in this rhythm of the IRS shutdown blues.

(Outro)
Hoping for a day, when things will resume,
When the doors will open, and dispel this gloom.
Till then, I’m singing, to shake off these screws,
Playing my heart out to the IRS shutdown blues.

I’m still very new to the use of AI, but I guess I could keep this up for a while, having it generate several different takes on the subject.

However, rather than beat that topic to death, I wanted to use a different spin on the subject: “compose a happy song about the IRS shutting down”

Its response:

(Verse 1)
Woke up this morning, to a bright sunny day,
Heard on the news, the IRS went away!
No more forms, no more lines,
A world of simplicity, oh how divine!

(Chorus)
Goodbye IRS, we won’t see you again,
A world without taxes, let the parties begin!
Dancing in the streets, a jubilant sound,
Celebrate, celebrate, the IRS shut down!

(Verse 2)
No more 1040, W-2 or W-9,
Life’s gotten simpler, feeling so fine!
The people are laughing, from city to town,
A weight’s been lifted, the IRS is not around!

(Bridge)
Now, we understand the need for a plan,
To fund our nation, every woman and man.
But for this moment, let’s just have some fun,
Singing and dancing, under the sun!

(Chorus)
Goodbye IRS, we’ll remember the days,
Of navigating the tax maze in so many ways.
But today we’re free, so let’s gather around,
And celebrate, celebrate, the IRS shut down!

(Verse 3)
From east to west, and all in between,
A new era begins, a sight to be seen.
We’ll find a new way, to pay our share fair,
But for now, let’s just breathe the fresh air!

(Chorus)
Goodbye IRS, it’s been quite the ride,
With all your forms and rules, side by side.
But today we dance, with joy and delight,
For the IRS shut down, and the future looks bright!

(Outro)
So here’s to new beginnings, and to what lies ahead,
With hope in our hearts, and joy in our tread.
For now, let’s cherish this wonderful sound,
Of happiness, and peace, as the IRS shuts down!

I think I read somewhere that there are AI tools that can add actual music to lyrics. I don’t have time to try that right now, but possibly after the October 16 extension crunch.