Tomorrow (9/11) is the anniversary of Fred Ebb's death. I thought it would be interesting to hear what everyone's favorite song(s) by this incredible team are. I'll start it out with the obvious:
Cabaret - this is the quintessential 11 o'clock number. It says everything you need to know about Sally Bowles in one amazing song. This is a true American Standard.
Next, in no particular order: Maybe This Time And the World Goes 'Round Go Back Home
I'd argue that my favorite Kander & Ebb song "What Would You Do?" is the true 11 o'clock number of "Cabaret". The character of Fraulein Schneider represents most people at large during this time (I think there is a common misconception that everyone was either a Nazi or a member of a persecuted group), Her song poses the essential question most people were faced with, simply what to do. (I for one cannot fathom what it must have been like being caught in the middle). "Cabaret" is Sally's answer to "What Would You Do?".
My other favorite songs:
"Maybe This Time" "New York, New York" (ever since I heard it when I was three or four at a dance recital, I knew it was about a magical place) "All That Jazz" (one of the best openings of a musical that I ever saw)
I think it's such a cliche to say, "New York, New York" as well, but it's just one of *those* songs that seems like it wasn't even written. It's as natural as breathing. (Of course, it was written, and took time and effort.) I admire it, too.
Some of my favorites are: I Don't Remember You from the Happy Time Rain from All About Us Go Back Home from the Scottsboro Boys Mister Cellophane from Chicago Married from Cabaret
"Married" is the most under-appreciated song in that score in my opinion
Though its history post-creation may be spotted and somewhat unfortunate, "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" is another song that seems to defy writership. The sheer fact that a fake German nationalist ballad, written by two gay Jews, is popularly considered to be a genuine Nazi pride anthem or ancient folk song shows how skilled Kander and Ebb were with Broadway melody and European sound palettes.
Can't believe no one has mentioned "Walking Among My Yesterdays" from The Happy Time yet. It's at the top of any favorite song list for me. After that, I'd put "Married," "Marry Me," "Cell Block Tango," and "Go Back Home."
and an under-appreciated gem from "Flora, the Red Menace" called "Express Yourself"
"A coherent existance after so many years of muddle" - Desiree' Armfelt, A Little Night Music
"Life keeps happening everyday, Say Yes" - 70, Girls, 70
"Life is what you do while you're waiting to die" - Zorba
And the World Goes Round Chief Cook and Bottle Washer The Money Tree City Lights First You Dream Kiss of the Spider Woman Life Is The Happy Time Please Stay
I think "The Money Tree" is great, and "Maybe This Time", too, but of all their "screamers" (as they called them), "The World Goes 'Round" is my favorite-- and perhaps the most profound of all of them.
No one has mentioned, "Say Yes" either. That song ALWAYS makes me feel better. ALWAYS. Liza once said, "The greatest thing about Kander and Ebb is that you sing their songs...and you feel better." I think that's true. They wrote dark shows, they wrote wonderfully for some pretty strange characters. But they wrote TRUE optimism. Realistic optimism. And they're wonderful.