Jonathan Coulton - Big Bad World One - ASL Song

"Big Bad World One" by Jonathan Coulton, performed in sign language by Stephen Torrence. This one's about a lonely, frustrated guy who's fed up with life, and it's Song #2 of December Song Week. Lyrics/gloss below as always.
All alone by the table of food
WEAR SUIT, WRINKLED, TIE, BORROW
In my wrinkled suit and my borrowed tie
I ALONE NEXT-TO FOOD TABLE,
Only thinking of something to say
GIRL WALK-BY,
In the moment after the girl walks by
I SUDDEN IDEA, MISS
Everyone else is having fun or else pretending to
ALL PEOPLE ENJOY PARTY, PRETEND
I eat another crudité
MORE VEGETABLE I EAT
I quit, I'm done
I QUIT, I FINISH
Cause I don't think it's gonna turn out OK
I NOT THINK FUTURE OK
It's no fair, it's no fun
NOT EQUAL, NOT FUN
If every time it's gonna end the same way:
FAIL+++ SAME-ALL
Me zero
ME, 0/NOTHING
Big bad world one
BAD WORLD, 1
At the office we're all having cake
OFFICE, WE CAKE EAT
Cause it's someone's birthday, I don't know who
BIRTHDAY WHO? DONT-KNOW
Got my plate and I'm scanning the room
PLATE HOLD, LOOK-AROUND
and the only seat is right next to you
ONLY CHAIR, GIRL [NEXT-TO-HER]
I get the nod, the tiny smile that doesn't come with teeth
I SIT-DOWN, SMILE [AT-HER],
SHE [SMILLE SMILE]
Maybe you don't know who I am
MAYBE SHE NOT KNOW ME
[chorus]
Staying inside, lying in bed
I STAY INSIDE, BED [LAY BACK]
Noticing something that's not there
BESIDE-ME NOTHING
Follow my heart, follow my head
HEART FOLLOW, HEAD FOLLOW
I'll follow anything that might get me somewhere
WHATEVER, FOLLOW+++ MAYBE HELP
Catch her eye when she's pouring my coffee
MY COFFEE, GIRL POUR, [EYES MEET]
And search my head for an opening line
I PONDER, SAY WHAT?
But I see by the look on her face
BUT SHE [IMPATIENT]
if I keep my mouth shut I'll save some time
IF I CLAM-UP, BETTER
What if the best that I can be just isn't good enough?
MAYBE MY BEST NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Isn't it better not to know?
MAYBE IGNORANCE BETTER
[chorus]

[@xxlunnitaxx]

I remember in high school I used a lot of your videos to study and practice ASL you are awesome dude

[@CaptainValor]

@geniko29 Qdammit is correct, it was a costume choice. I would not wear a watch if I were interpreting professionally.

[@mmp64son]

This guy would be the best charades player ever.

[@superglr1]

"Owner of a Lonely Heart" meets "Officespace". Very expressive, perfect story for ASL. Two songs in one day, perfect gift on Christmas Eve. Amazing process as well. Thank you. Merry Christmas.

[@joshfree5441]

ASL is hard as fuck.

[@remyisxtc]

Wow two very different songs for December. Both amazing and very Inspiring. Thanks for the videos. Keep it up.

[@84jocofan]

One of my favorite Coulton songs! Glad to see you agree :)

[@thebeardedone]

This was a fantastic job. Please accept my kudos as a professional 'terp' of 13 years experience.

[@georgebaynard4096]

Man where did you go I use to watch a lot of your videos because I was curious what my favorite songs were like using als, hopefully we’ll see a new video soon

[@Boosterbeara]

I want to cry watching this...

[@AnastasiaofBohemia]

@benjamingeiger it can be. Song signing is more about flow so little flourishes are often added for emphasis or flow. And whether it is meant to hold that double meaning is up to the signer and the person watching.

[@lostdrewid]

I agree, his acting is half or more of the reason to watch these videos. I've seen other ASL interpretations of popular music, and they're just not the same. These are the best, hands down. {heh}

[@pandapounce]

Aw. Watching this vid makes me want to give you a hug, a warm blanket, and a cup of cocoa.

[@FlyingSwatters]

Let's get married. I will learn Sign Language so we can gossip without people hearing us. As long as you promise to keep making these videos. Seriously. Your facial expressions and body language are just amazing.

[@evilaelf]

Lighting looks great! Love watching these!

[@wcclark]

You are amazing. Your interpreting and your facial expressions are top notch.

[@FlyingSwatters]

Thank you for getting me into Sign Language and Jonathan Coulton. Like seriously. :D

[@Scince4eva]

Wow, ok, I know you hear this all the time. But omg, you are freakin amazing. Its because of people like you that make people like me absolulty love ASL and want to learn soo much more then we arleasy know. Agian, amazing. Thank you so much

[@Circus0Solstice]

:D Yay! You have no idea how excited I was to see a new JoCo video from you. It's a great Christmas present. Thank you!

[@RocktheSocks]

Yeah. So I'm pretty much addicted to this.

[@TriforceHunter9]

I've been hoping you'd do 'Big Bad World One' someday! I'd never have expected to see it on Christmas! Thanks for that! Merry Christmas!

[@suggestions8]

@Aresftfun They're by the same artist, but the stories in the songs aren't related...similar, i suppose, but not related. BTW, this guy REALLY likes Jonathan Coulton..

[@eClickNick]

I love these videos... its my new favorite thing. :) thank you

[@KITTIESONCRACK]

awesome song

[@blackstrawberrysky]

yay Jonathan Coulton! great song and great video :)

[@HealyRodman]

I love that your signing has become more of a dance and the videos have become so expressive! Another great video!

[@bigdaddycoldcuts]

*Holds out arms* somebody needs a hug...:( STOP LOOKING SO SAD!

[@Spintown]

Great work, I love these videos.

[@DrHarpo3]

I'm learning ASL and I love watching your videos, keep up the good work

[@puertorrriquena]

I love how you've done so many ASL versions to go along with Jonathan Coulton songs. I want to learn sign language, but I don't have a teacher or anyone to practice with. It is a very unique skill to be an interpreter though.

[@ItsRhazTTV]

Great job. Your videos are always fun to watch, whenever, just because it's not all hand motions, you get facial expressions in there too. And Jonathan Coulton has good music to begin with, so this is just a great video all around. Moar ASL!! :D

[@AtheneNumphe]

@Ninja9191 I was watching him film this on UStream. He was having lighting problems and I had to go before I saw the outcome. So I was glad that they were fixed.

[@7rich79]

awesome!

[@GeorgeGurungg]

I like a man who can use sign language and you being adorable is a plus point :)

[@Superfella67]

Wow, great video man. It took a lot not to cry because I was so into it. :D

[@kaosdevice]

well done, man, well done.

[@lynnwillis441]

Love your JC vids! Keep them coming!

[@winnerACE1109]

OmG I loved the part with fruit lol it's funny I'm so desperate to learn asl!!

[@slothbear2]

You made me cry. (in a good way, though I'm still sad)

[@Aresftfun]

@suggestions8 Yea he even did a live show with him!

[@loyalzerg]

When my mom first tried to sign to someone she would spell out the and all the words like that and my deaf uncle just told her to drop them all and do limited stuff.

[@puertorrriquena]

@CaptainValor @CaptainValor I didn't realize interpreters didn't wear watches professionally. May I ask why that is? I have some speculations but want to make sure I'm not making an ignorant assumption. I like your choice of costume though, you look sharp =)

[@isabelleglaser3396]

so inspiring!

[@skysly]

heyy! could you do "there she goes"? please? Awesome videos! thnx!

[@CaptainValor]

*hands over cookie*

[@TheGrifdail]

You 1, awesome beautiful world 0 !

[@Aresftfun]

Is this a continuation of "Future soon" ? It sounds like it....

[@RobMacKendrick]

Cap rocks. Silently.

[@benjamingeiger]

A question from someone who knows no ASL: Is "one" supposed to be "flipped" like that, or is that a flourish in the last line (to make it resemble another gesture)?

[@Cozzi0]

I know this is a personal question, but you mentioned you were deaf and i was just pondering if deaf people still heal certain sounds in their head because a deaf person once told me he hears squeeks and groans in his mind even though he is deaf.

[@AtheneNumphe]

Yay, you fixed your lighting problem.

[@TheKingofnoob]

I feel slightly depressed.

[@ProfessorClad]

@CaptainValor Just out of curiosity, why not?

[@AkujiMalice]

@CaptainValor Out of curiosity, why is this an issue?

[@mrogilvie]

HA! coolvetica! the best font in the known universe. besides helvetica

[@Qdammit]

@geniko29 But it's part of the costume!

[@janitorbud]

I've actually never heard of this guy....(the singer)

[@ProfessorClad]

@mindlessdrone1991 thanks for telling me :)

[@20Unbelievable06]

@CaptainValor can I ask why?

[@jayjooisland]

[@FanGirlYell]

Where the freak did you learn to sign so well, Dude!? ...Or did you teach yourself...

[@rowanwax]

you don't have to open your mouth, just sign ;}

[@kirstensturgill1298]

:-)

[@adsim92]

Im a guy, and a straight one at that. But Im going to admit that you're very very attractive. Probably not as straight as I would like to think I am.

[@HaShomeret]

and i have a new facebook status.

[@haxwhite2439]

I'm wondering whether or not he's wearing pants... the video never shows the lower half of his body.

[@zebfreak]

is he deaf or hearing?

[@2111jade]

hearing

[@animedragoness]

Stephen...this video is amazing, but not really fitting for you. If you actually got into those situations, you'd have to be beating the girls off with a stick. :p Big Bad World has nothing on really handsome men (with talent!).

[@SuperOmegaish]

Jonathan Coulton: Inspiring suicide in young teens, just like every grunge band ever... ExceptThreeDaysGraceTheyAreTheBest