Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?- Page 4
Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#75Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/4/13 at 11:58am
Also, to be contrary, I've heard alot of Kinky Boots' score, and I'm a big Lauper fan, but I just dont understand how it beat Minchin's score for Matilda.
Because she's Cyndi Lauper... Tim Minchin's score was far superior in so many aspects, IMO.
broadwayman17
Broadway Star Joined: 10/27/07
#76Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/4/13 at 12:03pm
My personal favorites:
"For Now"- Avenue Q
"Those You've Known"- Spring Awakening
"Around the World" - Grey Gardens
"Another Winter..."- Grey Gardens
"Work the Wound"- Passing Strange
"Come Down Now"- Passing Strange
"Saddest Song"- Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
"Go Back Home"- Scottsboro Boys
"I Believe" Book of Mormon
"A Light in the Dark"- Next to Normal
"I'm Alive" - Next to Normal
"When I Grow Up"- Matilda
Yes, but sometimes people have a third deeper layer thats the same as the first. Like pie. Dr. Horrible
#77Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/4/13 at 4:40pm
"To me it's:
"I Hate the Bus"-- Caroline or Change
"I Believe and Sal Tlay Ka Siti"-- The Book of Mormon
"There's a Fine, Fine, Line"-- Avenue Q
"Go Back Home"-- The Scottsboro Boys
"Another Winter in a Summer Town"-- Grey Gardens"
OMG Musical Master. We might be twins! That's pretty much my list.
3bluenight
Stand-by Joined: 8/10/11
#78Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/4/13 at 4:40pm
Gonna Pass Me a Law, Caroline or Change
The Great Compromise, Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson
I Miss the Mountains, Next to Normal
Burn That Bridge, Hands on a Hard Body
Namaste
#79Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/4/13 at 4:59pmI can't believe I forgot When I Grow Up! Just a beautiful song all around. Though I can't disagree with all the Caroline mentions in the thread; if I had to pick one I'd say Underwater, but that's a hard choice.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
Eurotrash
Featured Actor Joined: 8/28/13
#80Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/5/13 at 5:07am
She’s Invincible/Sie ergibt sich nicht(Rebecca)
For Good (Wicked)
Til I hear you sing (Love Never Dies)
Wenn Ich Tanzen Will/When I want to Dance ((added to) Elisabeth)
A perfect Life/Loving You Keeps Me Alive (Dracula)
Rebecca (Rebecca)
Reflection (Tale of Two Cities)
Du Bist Meine Welt/I Was Born to Love You (Rudolf)
I am Here (Marguerite)
Be You’self (Lend me a Tenor)
;o)
Why don't you go? Why don't you leave Manderley? He doesn't need you... he's got his memories. He doesn't love you, he wants to be alone again with her. You've nothing to stay for. You've nothing to live for really, have you?
showchoirguy
Broadway Star Joined: 7/14/10
#81Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/5/13 at 8:57am
Lot's Wife- Caroline, or Change
Just Another Day, Wish I Were Here, Light- Next to Normal
School Song (for creativity) and When I Grow Up- Matilda
Nettik
Featured Actor Joined: 6/4/10
#82Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/17/13 at 1:07am
"The I Love You Song" - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
"It's a Fine, Fine Line" - Avenue Q
"Without Love" - Hairspray
"I Hate the Bus" - Caroline or Change
"Fly, Fly Away" - Catch Me If You Can
"Suspend My Disbelief/I Had a Life" - Ghost
"Everything I Know" - In the Heights
"'Til I Hear You Sing" - Love Never Dies
"When I Grow Up" - Matilda
"Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I'm Falling" - Next to Normal
"Come Down Now" - Passing Strange
"Rise Above 2" - Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
"Touch Me" - Spring Awakening
"Stranger in this World" - Taboo
mamaleh
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
#83Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/17/13 at 7:29am
Fun song: "Popular" - WICKED
"Model Behavior" - WOMEN ON THE VERGE
"History of Wrong Guys" - KINKY BOOTS
Beautiful/haunting: "When I Grow Up" - MATILDA
"Invisible" - WOMEN ON THE VERGE
"Around the World" - GREY GARDENS
"Til I Hear You Sing" - LOVE NEVER DIES
Updated On: 9/17/13 at 07:29 AM
madlibrarian
Broadway Star Joined: 8/15/06
#84Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/17/13 at 3:07pmSurprised that nobody has mentioned ELF, or one of its tuneful, funny numbers like "Sing a Christmas Song" or "Never Fall in Love with an Elf". They're not startling masterpieces but they do have the jolly, silly spirit of classic musical comedy.
#85Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/17/13 at 4:37pmBut if they aren't masterpieces, how do you expect them to content for the best song of the decade?
madlibrarian
Broadway Star Joined: 8/15/06
#86Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/18/13 at 1:50pm
Fair question. I reply with: "masterpieces" I use in the sense of "serious works" as opposed to "light works", a Hamlet as opposed to a Twelfth Night. Elf the musical is definitely light fare, but a very good example of light fare. Can it be compared with the oh so serious Spring Awakening? Must a work be a masterpiece to merit a decade's recollection? Has anything on Broadway lately been a masterpiece?
Inviting discussion, but rejecting vituperation, I remain, yours, madly.
a-mad
Featured Actor Joined: 8/25/11
#87Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 9/18/13 at 3:57pm
I would say "You Can't Stop the Beat" but I think Hairspray opened in 2002, no?
That said - here's my list:
No Good Deed - Wicked
With You - Ghost
Mama Who Bore Me - Spring Awakening
Gold - Once
#88Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/8/14 at 9:28pmIn six months has anyone's list changed much?
#89Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/8/14 at 11:30pmI definitely agree with "Till I Hear You Sing," from "Love Never Dies," although I would add the title song itself -- unless that doesn't count because the music was written for another, earlier show, and then cut. BTW, I think the words to "Love Never Dies" are silly, but the music is incredible. I'd also go with "What the F--" from "If/Then," just because it's so unusual to have a song based so heavily on a VERY impolite word. In addition, "The Moment Explodes," also from "If/Then" is searing. I think it's an amazing song.
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.
#90Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/8/14 at 11:52pm
Having just seen an extraordinary production of ROAD SHOW at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, I think "ADDISON'S TRIP" from that show and "ARIADNE" from FROGS should have a place in the discussion, if not at the tip-top of the list(--Sondheim partisan that I am.
And if we're allowed to include songs from SMASH, I'd nominate "THEY JUST KEEP MOVING THE LINE", and possibly "MR. AND MRS. SMITH".
Updated On: 4/8/14 at 11:52 PM
#91Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/8/14 at 11:56pm
I dunno--a best song for me would have to include good lyrics *and* melody. I actually do like some of the music from Love Never Dies a lot (in that souped up ALW way,) but very few of the lyrics. If it's just the melody you dislike of Love Never Dies' title song, the first musical to use it was Beautiful Game in 2000 (and of course the earlier Phnatom 2 version was performed before that.)
And I'm not really sure about a song being a "best" just because it has a swear word in the title (i that is the case than Spring Awakening probably deserves that prize for this decade.)
I just came across this thread--it's great to see all the Caroline, or Change votes. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least three from Fun Home (which hadn't opened when the bulk of this thread was done)--Ring of Keys, Telephone Wire and Major to Joan. Dogfight's Pretty Funny got some votes, but from that underrated score, I'm especially fond of of First Date/Last Night.
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#92Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 12:02am
You Shine (Carrie revival)
Best Friend (Bare revival)
#93Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 12:51am
I actually like You Shine as a song, quite a bit. I'll have to hear Best Friend though--I onlyknow the earlier score.)
Tree--I do like Addison's Trip, as well as Talent, Best Thing to Ever Happen and some other Bounce/Road Show songs a lot, though I'm not sure if they're top songs for me--and I admit I associate them with the Bounce cast album from 15+ years back. I'll have to give the Frogs revised version another listen--I know many do like Ariadne, but I can barely remember it--I just tend to prefer the 1974 score as a complete work to the revisions.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#94Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 1:21am
In six months has anyone's list changed much?
I didn't participate in the first round, but I think that "One Second and a Million Miles" from The Bridges of Madison County is one of the best musical theatre songs that I've heard in a while.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
gutentag14
Swing Joined: 3/17/14
#95Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 1:22am
I agree with the tunes from Fun Home. That score blows me away. I'd also add:
-"One Second and A Million Miles" and "It All Fades Away" from The Bridges of Madison County
-"No One Else" from Natasha and Pierre
-"At the Fountain" from Sweet Smell of Success (although that might be too old for this list?)
gutentag14
Swing Joined: 3/17/14
#96Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 1:24am
sporkgoddess-- great minds think alike and even greater minds think alike within a minute of each other 
#97Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 3:16am
I know there's a separate thread about unpopular opinions, but I have to confess I just can't listen to Caroline or Change: I saw the show, I've listened to the CD, but I just don't connect.
I love the Passing Strange score- especially Love Like That.
I'm with Someone in a Tree on the quality of Billy Elliot (whilst coincidentally the song Someone in a Tree is probably my favourite theatre song of all time)
The I Love You Song from Spelling Bee, There's a Fine Fine Line and When It Ends (Wild Party) are my top 3- not sure which order, though.
Buddy Plummer2
Understudy Joined: 5/4/12
#98Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 10:15am
Ballads:
"Simply Second Nature"- CHARLIE AND THÈ CHOCOLATE FACTORY
"A Million Miles To Go"- THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
"Ring of Keys"- FUN HOME
"Second Nature"- BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
"Go Bak Home"- THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
"No One Else"- THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
"Around the World"- GREY GARDENS
"The Light in the Piazza"- THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
"Everything I Know"- IN THE HEIGHTS
"Work the Wound"- PASSING STRANGE
"Defying Gravity"- WICKED
"The Seraph"- 35MM
Comedic Songs:
"I've Decided to Marry You"- GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE
"The History of Wrong Guys"- KINKY BOOTS
"Granger Danger"- A VERY POTTER MUSICAL
"Hasa Diga Eebowai"- THE BOOK OF MORMON
"Model Behavior"- WOMEN ON THE VERGE
"Whatever Happened To My Part?"/- SPAMALOT
"As We Stumble Along"- THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Production Numbers:
"Solidarity"- BILLY ELLIOT
"Light" -NEXT TO NORMAL
"Shine Like The Sun"- 9 TO 5
"Raise Your Voice"- SISTER ACT
"Revolting Children"- MATILDA
"Joseph Smith American Moses"- THE BOOK OF MORMON
"Nine People's Favorite Thing"- [title of show]
if I had to chose one each?
"Defying Gravity", "As We Stumble Along", and "Revolting Children"
but then again, that's just my opinion.
dreaming
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/24/09
#99Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade?
Posted: 4/9/14 at 10:48am
I think Fun Home shook my list up a bit, to answer EricMontreal's question. I don't know if I could choose any favorites or 'best' songs from the score. (I actually find the score as a whole quite remarkable-the music and lyrics are seamlessly woven together.) I think each character's solos are probably the best 'stand alone' numbers. But, as a whole, this might be the most meaningful score for me personally in a very long time.
Other songs I love from the decade:
"Around the World"-It is the 'I want' song without flat out stating it-a highly sophisticated feat. (It also gives us a gorgeous, haunting melody.)
"I Miss the Mountains"-Love the song-I guess I have a penchant for "I want" songs (probably because, IMO, they give us the insight into the character's motivations and deepest feelings). This, like "Around the World", doesn't flat out say "I want" but I would call it the "I want" song.
"Go Back Home" from "Scottsboro Boys"-love the song, love the show
"As We Stumble Along"-one of my favorite character songs-and getting to see Beth Leavel's flawless delivery a few times was an incredible experience
"Paciencia y Fe"-In the Heights-I was not the biggest fan of that show, but that one song just moved me.
"The Letter" from "Billy Elliot"-I love the staging of this song-and turned into a puddle.
