Phantom Think of Me question

Posted: 5/15/07 at 6:23pm

OK pointless question but the Sunset Blvd thread made me think. While I don't think much of Phantom's lyrics in general I thought the lyrics for Think of Me used on the Canadian CD--and from waht I remember of the Canadian tour anyway (that was ages back--91) were an improvement and more musical than the original ones from the London cast--and had assumed these were written for all productions to use after London. But then the film uses the original ones again...

What's the story?

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 6:28pm

You're right to assume that the lyrics changes were made in all future stage productions of Phantom, but for no apparent reason the film version used the original lyrics in a number of songs. It's a mystery to me...I don't particularly object, but I don't understand the reasoning, especially when you realize that in one case (a line in "Notes") they mashed together some old and new lyrics resulting in a nonsensical non-rhyme where there had been a perfectly good rhyme before.

Updated On: 5/15/07 at 06:28 PM

Posted: 5/15/07 at 6:44pm

I guess it goes in the "WTF did they do that" category along with some of the awful rhyming "spoken" lyrics like the Raoul/Christine bit in Masquerade.

Where else were major lyric changes made besides Me and Notes? *maybe* they asssumed that the majority of Phantom fans know it by the original cast album and so wouldn't like changes? *shrug*

Anyway thanks for letting me know the changes were made for all productions (and I assume folded into the London one_)

[EganFan2]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 6:51pm

Don't you know? There is a hidden story in the movie version of Phantom that (surprise, surprise!) has the Phantom making sweet music of the night with Christine, and that's why there were changes. Seriously, I read that on a message board I was lurking on once. I was so scared I never went back. But buzz is that they're still talking about it.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 6:56pm

The London changed Think of Me, I am fairly certain, however, they still have the "Trio" bit in the graveyard.

Posted: 5/15/07 at 7:37pm

Oh dear--you can see what a bad Phatom knowledge person I am--what trio?

[kaboodles041]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 7:45pm

When Christine and the Phantom sing "Wandering Child" in the Graveyard scene, Raul enters and sings (on the OLC) making it a trio ("Once again she is his..."). Why they cut it out of the Broadway is a mystery, it's pretty.

Posted: 5/15/07 at 7:56pm

Ah see I grew up with the Canadian cast album and even though I own the London one I so rarely play it that I forgot all the changes--thanks

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 10:09pm

Kaboodles, it's RaOul. No harm done...just a quib of mine. :)

I'd really like for the trio to be brought back in for all productions...it makes the scene sound fuller.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 10:29pm

It's not a mystery. The change for the Graveyard song was made to give the Phantom and Christine one last moment together instead of it being interrupted by Raoul has happens again later in the final scene. I believe the Toronto cast recording reflects that scene as it is performed today on Broadway.