THE SECRET INGREDIENT

[Intro - New Orleans Piano and Clarinet] Got the recipe Got the pan Got a handwritten note From a very careful hand But something's missing [Verse 1] Three red peppers, two tomatoes One big onion, chopped up fine A little garlic, pinch of sugar Let it cook a little time That's what the old recipe said Written on a yellow page I followed every single number But it never tasted quite the same [Pre-Chorus] I checked the salt I checked the heat I checked the timing twice But every time I took a bite There was something not quite right [Chorus] What's the secret ingredient? What's the little thing I missed? I've got everything written down But it never tastes like this What's the secret ingredient? There must be something more Than the things inside the cupboard And the numbers on the board [Instrumental - Clarinet and Piano Shuffle] [Verse 2] Tried a little more of this Tried a little less of that Bought a brand-new cooking pot And a fancy frying pan Then my sister came around Saw the mess I'd made that day Took one look into the kitchen And began to laugh away She said, "Why are you cooking All this food for only you? That's a recipe for Sunday When the whole family comes through" [Chorus] What's the secret ingredient? Now I think I understand It wasn't hiding in the cupboard Or the writing on the page What's the secret ingredient? It was never hard to find It's the people in the kitchen And the stories shared at dinnertime [Extended Instrumental - New Orleans Brass and Piano] [Verse 3 - Playful Rhythmic Vocal] So I called a couple people Put another pot to boil Someone brought a bag of lemons Someone brought some olive oil Everybody had suggestions Everybody had a taste Someone said it needed pepper Someone said it needed eight more minutes The kitchen got a little crowded The conversation got too loud But when we finally sat for dinner Something wonderful came out [Instrumental - Sousaphone Bass and Snare Shuffle] [Bridge - Warm Piano] I could follow every measurement And get the temperature just right But I couldn't put a number On those ordinary nights The way we talked about our weekends The way somebody told a joke The way a simple meal could somehow Feel like coming home [Final Chorus] That's the secret ingredient Now I finally understand It's the people at the table And the time we spend with them That's the secret ingredient It was never in the spice It's a little conversation And a little shared delight That's the secret ingredient And I'm glad I found it out Next time I make this recipe I know who I'll invite around [Outro - New Orleans Piano Finale] Three red peppers Two tomatoes One big onion Chopped up fine And a few more chairs At dinnertime [Final Clarinet Flourish]