So Lenny finally got a vote. Let’s see. That makes it Sondheim 34 (give or take a dozen)
Bernstein 1
What a travesty that Sondheim did not write the music in addition to the lyrics of West Side Story."
I hope that last sentence is a joke. IMO the score to WSS is the sole reason it remains a classic. i have to admit that I got tired of WSS at least 30 years ago, although I am sure that I have seen it at least 5 - 6 times since then, more Including the movie. I have never gotten tired because of the score,which is the main reason I have continued to watch. I have gotten major tired of he choreography (Jerome Robbins' Broadway sealed the deal), so shoot me; some of the lyrics are really lame, e.g.,16 year old uneducated Maria sings 'it's alarming how charming I feel' (even Sondheim has acknowledged that some of the lyrics are too clever for the characters who are singing them); the book is okay. It's the score by Leonard Bernstein.
“One” - A Chorus Line. Combined with Michael Bennett’s iconic choreography...the top hats, the wedge, the human carousel and the perpetual kicks that seem to go on forever as the lights dim is just pure musical theater Heaven.
So Lenny finally got a vote. Let’s see. That makes it Sondheim 34 (give or take a dozen)
Bernstein 1
What a travesty that Sondheim did not write the music in addition to the lyrics of West Side Story."
I hope that last sentence is a joke. IMO the score to WSS is the sole reason it remains a classic. i have to admit that I gottired of WSS at least 30 years ago, although I amsure that I have seen it at least 5 - 6 times since then, more Includingthe movie. I have never gotten tired because of the score,which is the main reason I have continued to watch. I have gotten major tired ofhe choreography (Jerome Robbins'Broadway sealed the deal),soshoot me; some of the lyrics are really lame, e.g.,16 year old uneducated Maria sings 'it's alarming how charming I feel'(even Sondheim has acknowledged that some of the lyrics are too clever for the characters who are singing them); the book is okay. It's the score by Leonard Bernstein."
So Lenny finally got a vote. Let’s see. That makes it
Sondheim 34 (give or take a dozen) Bernstein 1
What a travesty that Sondheim did not write the music in addition to the lyrics of West Side Story."
I hope that last sentence is a joke. IMO the score to WSS is the sole reason it remains a classic. i have to admit that I gottired of WSS at least 30 years ago, although I amsure that I have seen it at least 5 - 6 times since then, more Includingthe movie. I have never gotten tired because of the score,which is the main reason I have continued to watch. I have gotten major tired ofhe choreography (Jerome Robbins'Broadway sealed the deal),soshoot me; some of the lyrics are really lame, e.g.,16 year old uneducated Maria sings 'it's alarming how charming I feel'(even Sondheim has acknowledged that some of the lyrics are too clever for the characters who are singing them); the book is okay. It's the score by Leonard Bernstein."
Yes, that was an attempt at sarcasm. Sondheim writes good show tunes; Bernstein was a musical genius. I only wish he had written a few more musicals.
Sondheim lacked the ability to write many of the songs of West Side Story, such as "America" and "Tonight." He probably would have thought the song too sentimental, anyway. Ditto for most of the songs of Candide from the Overture. (But don't let Sondheim sell himself short on the lyrics. Lyrics for "America" and "Gee, Officer Krupke" and many others were very worthy of him.)
Just surprised that about a third would choose "Being Alive" as the best Broadway song ever written. "Being Alive" Who outside of the theater community even know the song. Who records or performs it other than Patti Lupone and Bernadette Peters and those doing all Sondheim albums or concerts.
Almost like a lot of the usually independent posters here jumped on the "Being Alive" band wagon instead of taking the slight risk of picking their own best.
This isn't my favorite Theatre song of all time but I am in love with the lyrics and form of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered".
After one whole quart of brandy Like a daisy I awake With no Bromo Seltzer handy I don't even shake Men are not a new sensation; I've done pretty well, I think But this half-pint imitation Put me on the blink
[REFRAIN] I'm wild again Beguiled again A simpering, whimpering child again Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
Couldn't sleep And wouldn't sleep Until I could sleep where I shouldn't sleep Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
[Bridge] Lost my heart but what of it? My mistake, I agree He's a laugh, but I love it Because the laugh's on me
[Chorus] A pill he is But still he is All mine and I'll keep him until he is Bewitched, bothered and bewildered Like me
Seen a lot I mean I lot But now I'm like sweet seventeen a lot Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
I'll sing to him Each spring to him And worship the trousers that cling to him Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
[Bridge] When he talks he is seeking Words to get off his chest Horizontally speaking He's at his very best
[Chorus] Vexed again Perplexed again Thank God I can be over-sexed again Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
This makes me think maybe we should have a dedicated to celebrating, discussing, and comparing/contrasting the works of Rodgers/Hart and Rodgers/Hammerstein.
im so obsessed with amazing individual broadway songs i created at top 100 playlist then a top 500 playlist then a top 1000 playlist then a top 2000 songs spreadsheet
and at the very top number one slot,
it always goes to
“Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables
pure simple heartfelt passionate love sacrifice mortality faith it has it all
the perfect high tenor song...
alfie boies 25th anniversary live version brings tears every time and i was lucky enough to see him do it live