Stand-by Joined: 6/5/17
Hi all, I was writing an assignment related to these three topics and came to think about whether there are tunes in musical theater with similar themes that I could share with my class. The song doesn't have to include all three topics, one is enough.
I thought of a couple, such as "Stars" from Les Mis, which talks about Javert and Valjean's relationship with nature (stars) and God (A fugitive running / Fallen from God / Fallen from grace), or "For Forever" from Dear Evan Hansen where it talks about nature (this is the more obvious one) and self discovery, where he discovers his worth (being heard when falling in a forest).
Could you please list some that you can think of off the top of your head? That would help me a lot. Thank you so much!
Well this might not be the kind of song you're looking for but "I Believe" from BoM is specifically about the character's religious beliefs.
Some lyrics from the recent musical Groundhog Day comment on people with a relationship with ‘God’:
“Tiny minds, Big Mouths, Small Ideas.”
Featured Actor Joined: 2/24/07
Prayer in Come From Away for religion.
Not 100% what you're looking for, but "Dust and Ashes" from The Great Comet.
"The Color Purple" for nature/God, and "I'm Here" for self discovery, both from The Color Purple.
I think the title number 'Great Comet of 1812' is perfect for this. Lyrics:
Where to now?
Where can I go now?
Not to the Club
Not to pay calls
Mankind seems so pitiful
So poor
Compared to that softened, grateful, last glance
She gave me through her tears
CHORUS
It was clear and cold
About the dirty streets
Above the black roofs
Stretched the dark starry sky
PIERRE
This vast firmament
Open to my eyes
Wet with tears
CHORUS
And there in the middle
Above Prechistensky Boulevard
Surrounded and sprinkled on all sides by stars
Shines the Great Comet of 1812
The Brilliant Comet of 1812
PIERRE
The comet said to portend
Untold horrors
And the end of the world
But for me
The comet brings no fear
No, I gaze joyfully
And this bright star
Having traced its parabola
With inexpressible speed
Through immeasurable space
Seems suddenly
To have stopped
Like an arrow piercing the earth
Stopped for me
It seems to me
That this comet
Feels me
Feels my softened and uplifted soul
And my newly melted heart
Now blossoming
Into a new life
Swing Joined: 12/29/13
"Shine" from The Spitfire Grill is about nature and self discovery. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymi-U_pmrFQ
Understudy Joined: 7/14/17
Spark of Creation from Children of Eden could be one to explore
Stand-by Joined: 6/5/17
Thank you guys so so much for the help, just from scrolling down I'm loving the title song and dust and ashes from Great Comet!! They fit perfectly with the theme I'm looking for, and I'll be looking up the other ones. Any other songs are still welcome!
Updated On: 10/19/17 at 11:47 PM
Much More from the Fantasticks came to mind immediately re: nature and self-discovery
These ones touch on nature and self-discovery, some more vaguely than others. If you can count film musicals, Disney has a lot of these songs.
The World Above (The Little Mermaid - stage)
When Will My Life Begin (Reprise 2) (Tangled)
Lock Willow (Daddy Long Legs - cut song)
Just Around the Riverbend (Pocahontas)
Let It Go (Frozen)
How Far I'll Go (Moana)
take a look at the second act of "See what I wanna see" - called "Gloryday"
it's all about exactly what you are looking for.
Also "Better than I" From the movie "joseph: King of Dreams"
"How Glory Goes" from Floyd Collins
"Lost in the Stars" LOST IN THE STARS
Is it too bad to say I Believe from The Book of Mormon?
Stand-by Joined: 9/7/14
"Tevye's Denial" and "If I Were a Rich Man" from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF spring to mind.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
Pretty much EVERY song every written fits into one of those broad categories in one way or another --- just depends on how literal you want to be.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/28/13
Lost in the Wilderness from Children of Eden fulfills all criteria
Videos