Whatever Floats Your Boat

I have a long-time friend that has often used this phrase, “Whatever floats your boat.”  One might be in a discussion with him and he would tend to end the discussion with that phrase.  I never really liked the phrase and thought its use was something of a “cop out”.  To me it sounds like what the youth of today tend to say frequently, “whatever.”  Consequently, I never used it.

Recently, however, I surprised myself and used it, which caused me to think about the use of this idiomatic phrase.  It would not make sense translated into another language.  In fact, perhaps many English-speaking Americans have never heard it.  It simply means “whatever works best,” or “whatever makes you happy.”

A Google search on the web brings up a program that Garrison Keilor has had on his radio program, “Prairie Home Companion,” where he intersperses different forms of music with idiomatic rhymes. 

Whatever Floats Your Boat

I think the world of you

You know I wish you well

Whatever tightens your screw

Whatever rings your bell

Whatever floats your boat

Whatever greases your pan

And if solo guitar is what starts your car

Here comes the guitar man.

      *GUITAR BREAK where he plays some on his guitar.

I must admit I don’t know

What lights up your eyes

What makes your ketchup flow

What makes your elevator rise

But whatever it is

It’s all right with me

And if solo bass can bring a smile to your face

We’ll play it basically.

      *BASS BREAK with Keilor playing some bass.

Some people wake up in the morning, put their shorts and T-shirt

on, and take a run.

Some people go back to sleep and dream about sheep running by one

by one

Whatever thickens your bisque

Whatever answers your prayer

Whatever downloads your disc

Whatever loads your software

Whatever pulls your cork

Whatever ripens your cheese

And if solo piano is what peels your banana

Then let us tinkle the keys.

     *PIANO BREAK with some piano being played.

I hope your needs are met

And your desires fulfilled

Whatever fires your jets

Whatever lifts your kilt

Whatever grinds your beans

Whatever milks your cow

And if a little drum break can bake your cake

Well, here’s one right now.

     *DRUM BREAK with drums being beat.

Some people go to parties, love the hubbub, the clamor, the roar

Some people sit on the porch and love to listen to the moths

beating gently on the old screen door

Whatever gives you a thrill,

Whatever makes your light shine,

That is your free will,

It’s no business of mine.

Whatever chills your beer,

Whatever fills your cup.

And if a moment of silence puts your heart in the highlands,

I’d be glad to shut up.

     *SILENCE BREAK

Whatever swabs your decks

Whatever fills your pies

Whatever builds your pecs

Whatever shapes up your thighs

What magnetizes your strip

Whatever bales your hay

And if violin is what makes your day begin

Then let us make your day.

     *VIOLIN plays.

Some people love Puccini, they could listen to his operas night

and day

Some people love hip hop continuous and never stop with the sound

turned up all the way

Whatever tunes your lute

Whatever upgrades your file

Whatever opens your chute

Whatever grouts your tile

Whatever tailors your suit

Whatever styles your hair

And if a radio show can make your garden grow

Then let’s go on the air.

So, I have found myself, as I’ve grown older, to be more lenient toward people with differing views.  I am not so quick  to judge them or criticize them.  Oh, I still have my firm beliefs and there is no compromising of my standards, but I have come to realize that everyone has his/her own reality and they need to be understood that way.  It’s not that “everything goes,” but more like, “live and let live.”

“People don’t always need advice.  Sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them.”

“Life is too short to argue and fight with the past.  Count your blessings, value your loved ones, and move on with your head held high.”