Last month we invited readers to send their suggestions for a replacement now that Parris can no longer use You are the wind beneath my wings. We got a great response, which shows just how strongly people feel about the man. Here we go ...

Mike in Pasadena sent several suggestions including the classic JUST A GIGOLO and Dire Straits hit MONEY FOR NOTHING ("... and the chicks are free.") Richard in Bowie submitted Elvis' HOUND DOG ("They said you were high class, but that was just a lie.") We like the Roy Clark standby from Randy in Boonsboro: THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND YOU'RE GONE. John in College Park sends I GET AROUND by the Beach Boys.

Some entries were good but discounted on technicalities. Randy in Frederick sent another Elvis single, DEVIL IN DISGUISE. (There was nothing disguised about Parris. He let it all hang out.) Helen in Bethesda sent John Denver's FALLING OUT OF LOVE WITH YOU. (This only describes the end of the era of Parris.)

Best submission by an employee in Department of Legislative Services: HIT THE ROAD, JACK. Best submission by a registered lobbyist: SHOW ME THE MONEY! The best submission from a member of the transition team: IF YOU CAN'T BE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE, LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH. (Stephen Stills). Best entry from the statehouse press room is both descriptive and prophetic: NOWHERE MAN by the Beatles.

The best a staffer in the departing administration came up with is Sheryl Crow's ALL I WANNA DO IS HAVE SOME FUN. [It says something when the old team doesn't work hard to come up with positive entries, but in fairness they don't have much time for games, given the scramble to desert their sinking ship. Never mind 'women and children first', among former Glendening aids it's been every man for himself]

Our pick for first runner up is titled STEAL YOUR STUFF, from a CD produced by Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership and submitted by Dave in Owings. It fits!

And our pick for the song best capturing the era of Parris Glendening is the classic Rolling Stones hit, SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, submitted by Jack in Silver Spring, who points out its lyrics sound just like Parris begging for validation of his progressive agenda after expanding everything that is wrong in Annapolis. Jack says he looks forward to collecting our little contest's prize: "After eight years of Parris, I need a stiff drink."

Some readers kindly submitted songs for other prominent figures affecting our community. For Attorney General "Poppa Joe" Curran we received a full translation of DAS PANZERLIED. This was a hit around the beer halls in Munich years ago, and it nicely captures Curran's approach to the firearm community. For State Police Superintendent David Mitchell the winning entry is AC/DC's DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP.

And yes, we received submissions for a Bob Ehrlich theme song. In a couple years we'll know what to sing about him, but for now, let's wait. Bob deserves a chance to call his own tune at least at the start.

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