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A corrected image after a few prompts shows a toddler dreaming of blasting off to to moon in a swing [Image: Grok (Xai) (2024)]

Let me share with you a recent project in which I engaged AI to refine a song inspired by my three-year-old grandson's imaginative words during a backyard swing session.

Setting

While pushing the Kid on a tree swing, I mentioned the storm clouds climbing over the South Mountain hills. He replied, "Maybe it will rain iceballs. We can eat them like strawberry snow cones." That might seem random. But, he was remembering a hail storm where we made snow cones from hail and strawberry jam.

His other phrases included "To the moon!", "Like a rocket!", "I can swing higher than you!" and "Is that a race car?"

 

AI Analysis

I drafted song lyrics from these phrases and sought feedback from Chat GTP, Copilot, and Grok (xAI) for rhyme, rhythm, and enhancement:

Chat GTP provided simple edits but suggested adult themes, like changing "eat them like strawberry snow cones" to "make sweet strawberry love." Oops! Chat GTP offered "Teddy" (as in Teddy Bear) as an alternative to "Chevy," resulting in one of my favorite lines.

CoPilot initially praised the song's "whimsical nature," then completely rewrote it into a sophisticated narrative. Despite multiple prompts to simplify for a toddler's audience, it produced different works that merely echoed the original. CoPilot also tended to profoundly pontificate beyond the work and discussion. For example, attempting to get CoPilot to simplify the tone for a three-year-old, I said its approach had "Too many notes." Salieri would be proud. Here's how CoPilot (2024) responded:

Ah, I see! “Too many notes,” you say? Well, that’s a succinct way to put it! It reminds me of a musical conductor waving their baton and saying, “Gentlefolk, let’s trim the symphony—just a tad!” 🎵🎶

But you know, sometimes simplicity is like a secret ingredient. It’s the pinch of stardust that makes a story or a poem truly magical. So, here’s to embracing the right notes—the ones that dance lightly on the heartstrings! 🌟✨

Now, speaking of whimsy and wonder, have you ever imagined what clouds might taste like? I bet Kid Phoenix would have a theory! 😄

CoPilot can color outside the lines like no other AI I've seen.

Grok (XAi) balanced between the two, offering suggestions for better rhyme and flow. Grok also considered the musical structure, commenting on the chord choices and appreciating the deliberate transition from falling asleep in the swing to blasting off in a dream using a chord sequence from "Rocket Man."

 

Takeaways

Although I didn't adopt many AI suggestions, running the song through these tools provided valuable perspectives, leading to numerous edits. The results also gave me ideas about turning the lyrics into a short story the Kid's artist mom could illustrate.

The most valuable edits came from the natural intelligence in our home: My wife.

As with any creative work, the song will likely see future tweaks. For now, it's reached its current final form.

 

 

References

Copilot. (2024, November 13). Discussion about song lyrics. Microsoft Copilot.

Grok by xAI. (2024.) Image generated from lyrics of a song about a toddler in a swing. [AI-generated image] Retrieved from https://x.com/i/grok

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