Al Dente

The Ballad of Hamantha / Today Today / Al Dente

**Al Dente** is a short song by Jack Stauber uploaded on March 7th, 2018 along with a music video. It would later be extended into a full song on July 30th, 2018, as a Patreon exclusive. It would eventually be released along with the extended versions of The Ballad of Hamantha and Today Today on November 5th, 2018 under Jack Stauber's Micropop.

## Lyrics

*(Note: These lyrics are not officially confirmed by Jack and are interpreted by fans)*

The **bolded** lyrics were featured in the original short

**[Verse 1]**

**Love valley, hi hi (Hi hi- exactly), oh**

**Love valley, lo lo (Oh no) What'd you think?**

**Life made you bitter**

**I can make you tender (Ah)**

**Life made bitter**

**Can’t make you tender**

**[Chorus]**

**If it's stickin' it’s done (Uh oh)**

**Don't think that just because I lick it, it's love (Nooo! Hahahaha, hey)**

**Cherry on the complication (A-a-ah)**

**I don't think I'll ever get you**

[Break]

(Hahahaha, hey)

[Bridge]

Cook it through, ooh, ooh

Something to chew, better for you (Oh, ah)

Something to chew, better for you (Ah, oh)

Something to chew, better for you (Oh, ah)

Something to chew, better for you (Oh, a-ah)

Better for you

(It’s just as hard as you'd think)

(I’m here, I'm here)

[Verse 2]

Cook my brain, what am I supposed to do? Gone

Al dente, just firm enough to chew on

Biting in, you'd make me grin, but could it be

Something real unnatural, like honesty?

[Interlude]

"True, there were times when one wouldn't. It would’ve been a blast to clear.​"

(How 'bout it?)

[Verse 3]

Honestly, I hate to say it

We both know a better way

Better way

Something, my toy needs to stay away from my brain, hey

From my brain

You see? My brain

[Chorus]

If it's stickin' it's done

Don't think that just because I lick it, it's love (Nooo! Hahahaha)

Cherry on the complication

I don't think I'll ever get you
## Notes

The music video was originally noted for being the first video on Jack's YouTube channel to feature claymation, initially making it a unique video at the time. The clay character seen in video has also become popular in the community. The extended version of Al Dente later being made was well liked and appreciated by fans for it being an older extended song choice for the EP. The song itself was well received for being a good addition to the original song with the addition of new segments. Fans have also liked the pasta puns featured throughout the song.

## Trivia

* Al Dente is an Italian term for when you cook pasta or a vegetable just long enough so that it is neither hard nor soft but is firm and slightly chewy.
* The meaning of the song is unknown, but fans commonly theorize that the song is about a potential "friends with benefits" relationship, but how the couple aren't capable and prepared to be in a serious relationship. This message is also seemingly portrayed with pasta and cooking puns.
* As stated above, Al Dente was the first time claymation was featured on Jack Stauber's YouTube channel. The animation style, however, was featured in other media on other social media platforms prior to Al Dente.
* Al Dente is the oldest short song on his channel with an extended version.
* Al Dente, Tea Errors, Out the Ox, and Cupid are the only extended songs where the title isn't sung in the original version but is later sung in the extended version. It would notably be the first of these four to do so.
* The extended version of Al Dente came with a small promo when it was first released exclusively on Patreon.
	+ Unlike in the music video, at the start of the extended promo when it cuts to Jack dancing and singing "love valley lo lo", the footage doesn't glitch for a quick second.
* A high quality image of an Al Dente still was posted on Plopscotch the same day as the original release.
* Jack's highest tier on Patreon is called the "Al Dente Club", which is five dollars a month to join.
* The extended version of Al Dente was available on Patreon before the release of Cheeseburger Family / Fighter.
* There are some theories that the song lyrics "love valley hi hi" and "love valley lo lo" were meant to tease and reference the, at the time, upcoming HiLo album. It could also be opposite way around, with the album referencing Al Dente.

## Gallery

* Trivial Media
* Screenshots

Plopscotch Teaser

Music VideoExtended TeaserExtended Reveal (Hamantha EP Promo)