One of the most talked-about technologies today is chat, and in particular a chat bot technology known as ChatGBT. The technology has a lot going for it – it is easy to get started, easy to use, and (best of all) it is free. And a little addictive.

I attended a webinar recently that discussed ChatGBT’s role in the marketing mix. The webinar presenters created email subject lines with a human writer and with the chat bot, and attendees got to pick which was which. It was really hard to tell! I liked some of the bot-written subject lines better than those written by humans. There was also some recent controversy about school systems banning students’ use of chat bots in creating term papers.

So I downloaded an instance of ChatGBT for my personal use. I was listening to a lot of Lou Reed and Warren Zevon that week, and for fun I asked ChatGBT to write songs in the styles of these late legends. The instructions were to write a song about Dirt Farming in their respective styles. Lou Reed, like me, was a Long Island native so dirt farming would be pretty far removed from the experience. Warren Zevon was from California (which he predicted would slide into the ocean in his incomparable “Desperadoes Under the Eaves”), and probably never farmed anything either.

Exhibit A: Song about Dirt Farming in the style of Lou Reed

Verse 1: Out in the fields, under the sun Working the land, it’s where we come from Dirt farming, it’s the way of life From dawn till dusk, we work through the strife

Chorus: Oh, dirt farming, it’s what we do Sowing the seeds, watching them sprout anew Harvesting the crops, feeding the land Dirt farming, it’s what we understand

Verse 2: The earth, it’s our mother, our provider We tend to her, with love and desire Our hands, they may be calloused and worn But our spirits, they are never forlorn

Chorus: Oh, dirt farming, it’s what we do Sowing the seeds, watching them sprout anew Harvesting the crops, feeding the land Dirt farming, it’s what we understand

Bridge: The seasons may change, but our work remains From the early spring, to the summer rains Through the autumn breeze, and the winter frost Dirt farming, it’s never lost

Chorus: Oh, dirt farming, it’s what we do Sowing the seeds, watching them sprout anew Harvesting the crops, feeding the land Dirt farming, it’s what we understand

Outro: Out in the fields, under the stars We work the land, without any scars Dirt farming, it’s the life we choose And we wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s true.

Exhibit B: Song about Dirt Farming in the style of Warren Zevon

Verse 1: Well, I grew up in the country, out in the fields Tending to the dirt, it’s where my heart yields Planting seeds and watching them grow There’s just something about it, don’t you know

Chorus: Dirt farming, it’s a way of life Working hard from dawn till night Harvesting crops, feeding the land Dirt farming, it’s the life we planned

Verse 2: I remember my father, a man of the earth Teaching me everything, from birth Sweating under the sun, digging in the soil Hard work and dedication, it’s our toil

Chorus: Dirt farming, it’s a way of life Working hard from dawn till night Harvesting crops, feeding the land Dirt farming, it’s the life we planned

Bridge: The seasons come and go, but we stay true To the land, and all that it’s due From the seed to the harvest, we give our all Dirt farming, it’s our call

Chorus: Dirt farming, it’s a way of life Working hard from dawn till night Harvesting crops, feeding the land Dirt farming, it’s the life we planned

Outro: Dirt farming, it’s not for everyone But for us, it’s where we belong The land, it’s our heart and soul Dirt farming, it’s how we roll.

The moral of the story – chat bots are here to stay. The technology will continue to grow and improve. This could be a great inspiration for marketers who are stuck in writing the next line. But I don’t think a chat bot will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame any time soon.