[mojo2]

Tribute to Ex-Employee Becomes Hit Song: "Manuel Battista"

About "Manuel Battista":
Upon leaving emap Maclaren, 16 June 2006




"Manuel Battista"
(Andrew Bailey)

Manuel Battista


Manuel Battista (Manuel Battista)
Even the birds all know your name
Manuel Battista (Manuel Battista)
When you’re gone, will it ever be the same?
Manuel Battista, hasta la vista
We’re gonna miss ya, Manuel Battista

Verse 1
He’s got a phone in his hand
He’s got a smile on his face
He’s walking into the sun
He’s cycling out of this place
He’s done his time you can see
He’s moving magazines
It’s the Highway for him
The Highway of dreams
We’re gonna miss him
We’ll miss that man they call…

Verse 2
He’s cleared his desk and he’s packed
A minor miracle
For the first time in years the top is visible
He’s signing off, logging out
Not a hint of regret
Gin and tonic in his hand
An occasional cigarette
We’re gonna miss him
Miss that man they call…

Verse 3
He’s made a dash for the door
He’s got a will to survive
He’s swapped a sharp leather saddle for the M25
He’s got his bag, got his coat,
Got his P45
And a heart full of hope, he’s leaving emap alive!
We’re gonna miss him
Miss that man they call…

(©Andrew Bailey)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/Lyri...songID=4070680

Leaving present enters charts

A leaving present for an advertising salesman has entered the online music charts.

Manuel Battista's colleagues recorded a specially-written song to mark his departure after 15 years.

'Hasta la vista, Manuel Battista' reached No 70 as so many colleagues at publishers Emap logged on to hear it.

"Who knows, Manuel could find himself on Top of the Pops. He's got five weeks before it goes off air. Now, that would be a unique leaving present," said Andrew Bailey, editor of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning magazine.

Manuel Battista said: "I was gob-smacked. It was a complete surprise - it's a fabulous song! They even put it up on its own website, so the whole world can hear it.

"They managed to summarise 15 years of my life in three verses, make it rhyme and set it to music. I was blown away."

The song can be heard at: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...?bandID=558391

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...s.heartwarmers