In the fifth installment of Love Letters to Atlanta, Trey Smagur talks to Tomer Zvulun about his influences, growing up in the foothills of north Georgia and more. Smagur performs “Mr. Cellophane” from Chicago.
Each Love Letter includes a visually stunning capture of a song with great meaning to the singer in a space that has great meaning to Atlanta. Interviews with the artist complete the experience.
It all started on May 16, 1984. As You Like It opened for a one week run at Manuel’s Tavern on North Highland Avenue and a dream was born. Ultimately attracting national attention with articles in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and coverage by CBS and CNN news programs, this modest production became the defining experience for what would ultimately become America’s only Shakespeare Tavern®: An Original Practice Playhouse® with a ready to eat cafe-style menu available before each performance.
If someone stood up in a crowd
And raised his voice up way out loud
And waved his arm and his leg
You’d notice him
If someone in the movie show
Yelled, “Fire”, in the second row
This whole place is a powder keg
You’d notice him
And even without clucking like a hen
Everyone gets noticed, now and then
Unless of course, that personage should be
Invisible, inconsequential
Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane shoulda been my name
Mr. Cellophane ’cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me and never know I’m there
I tell ya Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane shoulda been my name
Mr. Cellophane ’cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me and never know I’m there
Suppose you was a little cat
Residin’ in a person’s flat
Who fed you fish and scratched your ears?
You’d notice him
Suppose you was a woman, wed
And sleepin’ in a double bed
Beside one man, for seven years
You’d notice him
A human being’s made of more than air
With all that bulk, you’re bound to see him there
Unless that human bein’ next to you
Is unimpressive, undistinguished you know who
Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane shoulda been my name
Mr. Cellophane ’cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me and never know I’m there
I tell ya Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane shoulda been my name
Mr. Cellophane ’cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me and never know I’m there
Never even know I’m there
Hope I didn’t take up too much of your time
