Best Song Written for the Theatre in a Decade? — Page 4

Also, to be contrary, I've heard alot of Kinky Boots' score, and I'm a big Lauper fan, but I just dont understand how it beat Minchin's score for Matilda.

Because she's Cyndi Lauper... Tim Minchin's score was far superior in so many aspects, IMO.

"To me it's:

"I Hate the Bus"-- Caroline or Change
"I Believe and Sal Tlay Ka Siti"-- The Book of Mormon
"There's a Fine, Fine, Line"-- Avenue Q
"Go Back Home"-- The Scottsboro Boys
"Another Winter in a Summer Town"-- Grey Gardens"

OMG Musical Master. We might be twins! That's pretty much my list.

I can't believe I forgot When I Grow Up! Just a beautiful song all around. Though I can't disagree with all the Caroline mentions in the thread; if I had to pick one I'd say Underwater, but that's a hard choice.

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Lot's Wife- Caroline, or Change
Just Another Day, Wish I Were Here, Light- Next to Normal
School Song (for creativity) and When I Grow Up- Matilda

Fun song: "Popular" - WICKED
"Model Behavior" - WOMEN ON THE VERGE
"History of Wrong Guys" - KINKY BOOTS

Beautiful/haunting: "When I Grow Up" - MATILDA
"Invisible" - WOMEN ON THE VERGE
"Around the World" - GREY GARDENS
"Til I Hear You Sing" - LOVE NEVER DIES

Updated On: 9/17/13 at 07:29 AM

But if they aren't masterpieces, how do you expect them to content for the best song of the decade?

I would say "You Can't Stop the Beat" but I think Hairspray opened in 2002, no?

That said - here's my list:

No Good Deed - Wicked
With You - Ghost
Mama Who Bore Me - Spring Awakening
Gold - Once

I definitely agree with "Till I Hear You Sing," from "Love Never Dies," although I would add the title song itself -- unless that doesn't count because the music was written for another, earlier show, and then cut. BTW, I think the words to "Love Never Dies" are silly, but the music is incredible. I'd also go with "What the F--" from "If/Then," just because it's so unusual to have a song based so heavily on a VERY impolite word. In addition, "The Moment Explodes," also from "If/Then" is searing. I think it's an amazing song.

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I dunno--a best song for me would have to include good lyrics *and* melody. I actually do like some of the music from Love Never Dies a lot (in that souped up ALW way,) but very few of the lyrics. If it's just the melody you dislike of Love Never Dies' title song, the first musical to use it was Beautiful Game in 2000 (and of course the earlier Phnatom 2 version was performed before that.)

And I'm not really sure about a song being a "best" just because it has a swear word in the title (i that is the case than Spring Awakening probably deserves that prize for this decade.)

I just came across this thread--it's great to see all the Caroline, or Change votes. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least three from Fun Home (which hadn't opened when the bulk of this thread was done)--Ring of Keys, Telephone Wire and Major to Joan. Dogfight's Pretty Funny got some votes, but from that underrated score, I'm especially fond of of First Date/Last Night.

I actually like You Shine as a song, quite a bit. I'll have to hear Best Friend though--I onlyknow the earlier score.)

Tree--I do like Addison's Trip, as well as Talent, Best Thing to Ever Happen and some other Bounce/Road Show songs a lot, though I'm not sure if they're top songs for me--and I admit I associate them with the Bounce cast album from 15+ years back. I'll have to give the Frogs revised version another listen--I know many do like Ariadne, but I can barely remember it--I just tend to prefer the 1974 score as a complete work to the revisions.

I agree with the tunes from Fun Home. That score blows me away. I'd also add:

-"One Second and A Million Miles" and "It All Fades Away" from The Bridges of Madison County
-"No One Else" from Natasha and Pierre
-"At the Fountain" from Sweet Smell of Success (although that might be too old for this list?)

I know there's a separate thread about unpopular opinions, but I have to confess I just can't listen to Caroline or Change: I saw the show, I've listened to the CD, but I just don't connect.

I love the Passing Strange score- especially Love Like That.

I'm with Someone in a Tree on the quality of Billy Elliot (whilst coincidentally the song Someone in a Tree is probably my favourite theatre song of all time)

The I Love You Song from Spelling Bee, There's a Fine Fine Line and When It Ends (Wild Party) are my top 3- not sure which order, though.

I think Fun Home shook my list up a bit, to answer EricMontreal's question. I don't know if I could choose any favorites or 'best' songs from the score. (I actually find the score as a whole quite remarkable-the music and lyrics are seamlessly woven together.) I think each character's solos are probably the best 'stand alone' numbers. But, as a whole, this might be the most meaningful score for me personally in a very long time.

Other songs I love from the decade:

"Around the World"-It is the 'I want' song without flat out stating it-a highly sophisticated feat. (It also gives us a gorgeous, haunting melody.)
"I Miss the Mountains"-Love the song-I guess I have a penchant for "I want" songs (probably because, IMO, they give us the insight into the character's motivations and deepest feelings). This, like "Around the World", doesn't flat out say "I want" but I would call it the "I want" song.
"Go Back Home" from "Scottsboro Boys"-love the song, love the show
"As We Stumble Along"-one of my favorite character songs-and getting to see Beth Leavel's flawless delivery a few times was an incredible experience
"Paciencia y Fe"-In the Heights-I was not the biggest fan of that show, but that one song just moved me.
"The Letter" from "Billy Elliot"-I love the staging of this song-and turned into a puddle.