Baba Brinkman - Twin Studies lyrics

Twin: Hi, is this, uh, Baba Brinkman? Baba: Yeah, who's this? Twin: Baba Brinkman the "rapping evolutionist" Baba: Yeah Twin: I'm not sure how to tell you this It's a bit awkward, but, um, I'm your identical twin Baba: No sh**? Twin: Yeah, I tracked you down with a Google search, I've known for about two years, but I thought No, it's just too weird Baba: What?!? No way, what's your birthday? Twin: It's October 22nd 1978 The same as yours, I tracked you through an adoption agent I've been watching you since about 2008 I can't say why our biological parents would want to separate us But anyway, I thought we should, you know, get acquainted Baba: I'm sorry, I just don't know what to say I'm shocked, I can't wait to talk to my mom And dad and ask them what the hell they were on Giving up an identical twin for adoption But I guess they probably had their reasons Twin: So I guess that means You're a pretty easy-going guy, 'cause I thought you might You know, be angry, or maybe even cry Baba: Well, maybe when I see you I might need to dry An eye but for now I'm just completely surprised And curious as hell, I mean, what's the deal? What do you do, do you have kids, do you take care of yourself? Are you married? I mean, this is very surreal Have you ever read about "twin studies"? It's, like, the only way we can tell Which elements of the personalities we develop Can be called the result of the environmental field Compared to the part that's beem genetically built Twin: Yeah, I'm not so into science, but my job is That I teach creative writing at a community college And yeah, I have a little girl, and a beautiful wife We've been married since 2005 Baba: Creative writing? When you were a kid did your adopted parents Read to you at night Twin: No, they weren't really "book people", why? Baba: Oh, it's just that my dad always likes to take credit For my success as a rapper, 'cause he read to me as an infant But I always wondered whether my language instincts were genetic And this is evidence Twin: I really pictured this Reunion as having a bit more emotional resonance Baba: Yeah, well, you're not exactly pouring on the expressiveness Yourself Twin: I know, I've never seen the necessity My wife tells me it's an "emotional repression" thing But I'm not unaffectionate, it just seems excessive to me Baba: Yeah, that could be a description of me Twin: Okay, if we're questioning What about you, wife, girlfriend? Baba: No, I'm not really a relationship type of person I mean, it's not like an aversion, it's just that I'm always on tour and It's tough to imagine how to even try to work it in Twin: But rapping, you must get some attention from women Baba: Attention, sure, but I'm not indiscriminate I mostly tour colleges campuses, you can picture it In town for one night, most women just aren't into it I mean, there's been an occasional grad student incident Twin: My wife is a grad student Baba: Yeah, well, I'm envious I wish I could have that kind of connection, intimate My lifestyle could hardly be more itinerant Twin: You came to my college, in 2006, you rapped The Canterbury Tales for the medieval English cla** Baba: What? Why didn't you contact me? Twin: Because I didn't know I only tracked you two years ago, remember? Plus I was on sabbatical, me and my wife, we had this whole… That time was stressful Baba: Oh, sorry bro Twin: Look, it's not your fault, it's just that I turned into this guy, this safe provider type And I panicked, and I left my wife, and I moved to the other side Of the planet, to Europe, but it just didn't fit me I was just an anonymous writer in a big city And I wasn't confident with women so I lasted six weeks Baba: And your wife took you back, huh? Twin: Yup, I guess that's love And then nine months later along came little Rebecca Baba: Nine months later? Twin: Yeah, give or take It's funny how our lives have developed in different ways I mean, I envy your lifestyle – it looks pretty flat-out I decided to contact you when I saw you on Rachel Maddow Baba: Yeah, she's fantastic… so you and your wife You've been happy since your little European crisis? Twin: Yeah, she's a good mother, I'm lucky to have her Baba: And you're never tempted to, you know, stray from the pasture? Hook up with one of your students maybe, I don't know Do something crazy? Twin: Yeah, I'm tempted, occasionally But it's a two-way street, right? I mean, basically How can I trust her if she can't trust me? Baba: And you trust her? Twin: Yes, now, but I've had some jealous times I mean, when Rebecca was like two and half I took her to the clinic and I got a check-up and I Asked the doctor to give her a paternity test on the side Baba: Really, why? Does she have like an "ethnic vibe"? Twin: No, she looks like me, she's freckled and white She was just born a bit quickly after that difficult time And I didn't wanna be suspicious, but I… Baba: And the verdict? Twin: The doctor said she's definitely mine One hundred percent DNA test certified Baba: Oh, that's great then, I'd love to meet your kid Twin: And my wife… Baba: Yeah, I was gonna say that next Okay, look, I have to go, there's this thing for the Fringe I'm writing this play about… Twin: Yeah, Human Nature, yes I've been tracking you through your Facebook friends I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about twins Baba: Yeah, well, as soon as I can, I'll come visit you Twin: Okay, Baba, just call me when you're ready to