They say that falling in love is wonderful... and doesn't Broadway know it! Valentine's Day is here and love is all around us. At this most romantic time of the year, we can't help but wonder... what is the greatest Broadway love song ever?
BroadwayWorld continues our great tradition of finding that consensus- and this year we have more answers than ever! We've gathered responses from over 1500 performers, composers, industry professionals, and entertainment personalities from all over the world.
Performer
The Notebook | In The Heights | The Full Monty | Beauty and the Beast | West Side Story Tour
I am currently obsessed with "Say it Somehow" from The Light in the Piazza. A perfect use of the old musical theater rule... "when words can no longer express..."
Clara and Fabrizio's love scene is romantic and emotional despite the language barrier between them. The way the voices find each other in the music without lyrics is sexy, haunting and just beautiful.
Performer
Into the Woods | Waitress | Hello Dolly! | She Loves Me | The Book of Mormon | Hair | Thoroughly Modern Millie
"Something Wonderful." That lyric is about love, but it's an adult love. It's more complicated. It's not always smooth, and he doesn't always say what you want. It's hard, and he doesn't behave, but I know him and I know his soul and I know he's wonderful. That's my choice right now. When I was younger, it was all idealism and romance, but I'm a realist now!
Performer
The Ferryman | Torch Song | Marvin's Room
My favorite Broadway love song is “Bonnie” from Bonnie and Clyde The Musical. Bonnie and Clyde has a sound track that is just brilliant but that song particularly has always stuck with me. It’s a song that is short and very simple, but it’s so grounded and caring. It reminds me of a song that you’re average person would sit down and write for their own love and sing to them to express how much they adore the other one. It’s just incredibly honest.
Performer
The Notebook
My favorite Broadway love song is "Dulcinea" from Man of La Mancha. Music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics, by Joe Darion. One of the most beautiful pairings of music and lyrics that I have ever heard in a Broadway musical.
Performer
Les Miserables | The Book of Mormon | All Shook Up
'One Hand, One Heart' from West Side Story
Performer
The Band's Visit | Fiddler on the Roof | Avenue Q | Rent | The Last Five Years
There are too many to name. I've had the good fortune of singing some great ones like "Next Ten Minutes" from Last Five Years or "Perfect For You" from Next to Normal, and of course, "Miracle of Miracles" from Fiddler on the Roof. Happy V-Day X
Performer
Harmony | Music & Passion | Copacabana
"My Heart Is So Full Of You" by Frank Loesser from the musical THE MOST HAPPY FELLA.
Performer
Gypsy | Dames at Sea | Matilda
I love "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You" by The Four Seasons, which is of course in Jersey Boys. Look, I'm not saying someone has to hire an entire horn section to tell me that they love me, but it would help.
Performer
The Present
"This Nearly Was Mine," South Pacific. That optimistic flush of post-war America, a world of feisty-but-adorable sopranos and dashing Italian baritones, in the midst of impossibly lush tropical locations… Aah.
Performer
The Wizard of Oz | The Woman in White | Dance of the Vampires | The Phantom of the Opera | Barnum | Billy | Flowers for Algernon
I think "If I Loved You" from CAROUSEL is the most perfectly written love song. The matching of the lyric to the melody is sublime.
Performer
Recording and Concert Superstar
"Stranger in Paradise" from KISMET. It's just glorious.
Performer
Glee
"The Word of Your Body" from SPRING AWAKENING, and not just because I know the people who sing it.
Industry
"Who Will Love Me As I Am?" from SIDE SHOW. One of the most exquisite songs of all time, from the theater or not. The music is beautiful and the lyrics touch me deeply. Everyone - at one point or another - has felt like an outsider, and this song expresses that beautifully. Thankfully, Broadway is a wonderful place where all the fabulous freaks can come together and have a sense of community. I love it and this song!
Producer
Disney Theatrical
The MOST is always tricky, but the song that made me first understand grown up romance was "My White Knight" from The Music Man. It is often in my thoughts when I head home at night to my partner of 28 years.
Industry
The Mystery of Edwin Drood | Pal Joey | 110 in the Shade | Company | Kistmet | Pacific Overtures | The Frogs | Assassins | Passion | Into the Woods | 1776 | High Society | Big | Sunday in the Park with George | Crazy for You | Smile | The Rink | Jerome Robbins Broadway | The Rink | Evita | Sweeney Todd | Merrily We Roll Along
Many thoughts and titles come to mind but Kern's last show wind. I say "All The Things You Are," from VERY WARM FOR MAY.
Performer
Kiss Me Kate | Holiday Inn | In The Heights | Disney's High School Musical
"What is it About Her" from THE WILD PARTY. It is a really triumphant song and his turmoil is so beautiful.
Performer
Grease | Xanadu | Grammy Award-Winning Recording Artist
"Some Enchanted Evening" from SOUTH PACIFIC
Performer
Newsies | Follies | Chicago | Teddy & Alice | Show Boat
This is a very difficult question, but "This Nearly Was Mine" from South Pacific means a lot to me and my wife.
Performer
Wicked | How to Succeed in Business | A Chorus Line | Promises | Promises | Company | On the Town | Can-Can | Annie Get Your Gun | State Fair | Follies | Babes in Arms
I thought this would be easy...it's not. Did I say "If Ever I Would Leave You" last time? "Always"? "My Heart is So Full of You"? "Some Enchanted Evening"? See what I mean? I should be more modern but I always think of the older shows. OK...I've just re-discovered "So Many People" from Saturday Night. So that's the one.
Performer
Jekyll & Hyde; Recording Artist & Concert Star
'On the Street Where You Live' from My Fair Lady
Creative
The Way We Were | Yentyl
"I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" from MY FAIR LADY.
Creative
SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL | LEAP OF FAITH | LOVE NEVER DIES | THE LITTLE MERMAID
Anything by George and Ira Gershwin. They always found a new way to say 'I love you.' I'd like to nominate their entire body of work!
Performer
Disaster! | Memphis | Aida | Cabaret | Rent
"Anthem" form Chess. Not your typical boy/girl love song but rather a love song between a man and his country.
Performer
Saint Joan | A Doll's House Part 2 | Romeo and Juliet | The Trip to Bountiful | Stick Fly
It's not really a love song, but "Anyone Can Whistle." It's just such a touching song. I don't know, everytime I hear it I just well up. It's just a moving, tender, touching song.
Performer
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks | Follies | Cabaret | Love Letters | First Impressions | Champagne Complex | John Murray Anderson's Almanac. Commander In Chief. The Sopranos
"Something Wonderful" from THE KING AND I. I've always loved it, but I've never sung it.
Performer
New York | New York | Wonderland | In the Heights
"Dammit Janet" from THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Videos
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