Beautiful Things

When I first met Zach we were kids at band camp, hiding in the woods. He was singing Sondheim, I was writing songs no one thought were good. Except for Zach - Zach heard something different. Zach heard what I meant. The songs were immature But he was sure What was in my head. Zach said: "I’ve got good taste. I like good music. I don’t know if you knew, but I practice perfect listening. Maybe not today or overnight But I’m certain if you want to You will write beautiful things." You see when Zach finds the thing that's perfect, he knows right away. He knows that belters are the best kind of singers And he knows Friday’s has the best chicken fingers. Zach just knows, he always knows. He's one step ahead. But something new began When Zach met Dan. He turned beet red. Zach said: "He’s got good taste. He likes good music. Next to me, Dan is shy but he does do perfect listening. If the chicken’s fried, He orders two. And he’s perfect, and he thinks that I can do beautiful things." Standing strong and holding steady Two boys clinging always. You go first and set the standard Happy and secure So sure. So here we are. At this perfect evening. On this perfect day. We stand here awestruck by the words two men with certainty can say. And as for me, I make no decisions. Zach picked out this tie. And so with humble pride, I'm unqualified To give to our young hosts My toast: Here’s to good taste. Here’s to good music. I think we all could learn how to do more perfect listening. To Zach and Dan: A cut above. You teach the morons all around you How to love beautiful things. And I love you, and I wish you evermore beautiful things.