Broadway Score With The Most Flawless Lyrics?- Page 2

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 7:42pm

Cabaret

[showbiz287]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 8:34pm

any votes for RAGTIME? I should bust out the CR just to make sure...but if my memory serves me right...

[freeadmission]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 8:50pm

After reading the first ten or so responses I too began to worry that this would be an all Sondheim thread and I was about to explode with praise for My Fair Lady, but then I saw someone already did that. So I'll just heartily agree.

I also agree with The Last 5 Years and Sweeney Todd.

Oh, wait. Go figure. Those are my three fave shows of all time. Hmm.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 8:56pm

If we're talking "flawless" lyrics, I would disqualify Ragtime for "Crime of the Century," "Harry Houdini, Master Escapist" and "What a Game".

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:01pm

I agree with L5Y

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:06pm

Any votes for Chess? I realize that I'm completely biased because, well, I'm obsessed with the show, but the show has so many very strong lyrics. Perhaps not the "most flawless lyrics," but definitely worth an honorable mention.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:07pm

L5Y? Are you kidding?

The music is fabulous, but the lyrics dont fit the criteria of "The Most Flawless Lyrics"

[jv92]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:40pm

Smaxi-
I actually enjoyed Crime of Century and What a Game's lyrics from Ragtime. They bring much needed comedy in a rather serious (although excellent) show.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:48pm

THE LAST 5 YEARS' lyrics are incredibly human and moving. That is how we speak - and he has musicalized our language. It's beautiful.

[Color and Light]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:51pm

Chalk another one for Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Cabaret from me. I love Sondheim, but he's also written his share of clunkers. However, I can't think of anything from Sweeney Todd or ALNM that makes me go "murrr?"

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:52pm

I agree with the fact that they are 'human and moving' but I still do not think they are FLAWLESS

can you see that?

F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S

flawless

law·less P Pronunciation Key (flôls)
adj.
Being entirely without flaw or imperfection. See Synonyms at perfect.
flawless·ly adv.
flawless·ness n.

I really enjoy the Last five years, but I think it is overrated in a way.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:53pm

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, my favorite Sondheim score, is the closest to flawless I can think of.

[iliketheater]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:53pm

Ragtime.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:56pm

You seem to be in the minority, Fabrizo2. Care to say WHY in particular you don't think they fit the "criteria"?

This isn't, after all, a thread for the most clever lyrics (which, clearly, Sondheim would have every right to the upper hand), but the most flawless. That implies the context of the show and the score as a whole, how excellent the lyrical concept itself is, and how well those concepts and ideas are carried out. I think The Last Five Years fits this criteria.

What are these flaws that you seem so certain are there?

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 10:04pm

I understand that. I stated that I liked the show. I just do not think that the lyrics are as intelligent, witty, smart, etc.. as someone like Sondheim. I am not saying that Sondheim is god, but whatever. I don't care about fighting over something that silly.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 10:14pm

just do not think that the lyrics are as intelligent, witty, smart, etc..

Exactly my point. Flawlessness is not about intelligence, wit, smarts or what have you . . . as you quoted the dictionary yourself, "flawlessness" is about lacking flaws or imperfections -- to take it one step further, lacking flaws or imperfections in the crafting and exectution of the proposed goal.

For a show that is intentionally trite, flawlessness would entail consistantly trite lyrics, probably absurd in nature. Then you have Sondheim, whose scores and lyrics tend to be for shows that are very intellectual, so wit and intelligence are important to consider. But that's just not important for a show like The Last 5 Years. The concept behind TL5Y is realism and when it comes to realism, the lyrics are perfectly crafted and executed.

Flawless.

Updated On: 5/26/06 at 10:14 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 10:16pm

I'm all for comedy to lighten the mood in Ragtime, but I think the songs I mentioned fail at that effort. And "Crime of the Century" features especially poor lyrics.

[yellibean2]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 10:35pm

there are quite a few that teeter on the edge, but I'd most definitely have to agree with Sweeney.

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 11:03pm

Gypsy, Sweeney, Into The Woods

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 11:09pm

"Nessa and Confessa- Brilliant!"

I am not a Wicked freak and in no way do I think the lyrics are flawless but I'd like to point out that it's "Nessa I've got something to confess, a reason why..."

[rufussars]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 12:24am

Perfection will never be reached. There is no such thing as flawless. While a score may have stretches of brilliance, if all the songs were stellar, then the truly memorable showstoppers would have no chance, nor a reason, to shine.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 12:26am

1776

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 12:29am

I believe every song in Sweeney is amazing, musically and lyrically.

Not one bad song.

[larry64]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 12:38am

COMPANY!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 12:39am

Good point JustChillin8908, if Sondheim had done it, people would find it brillant. I don't get why people have to hate.

Sweeney has some great lyrics.
I agree with L5Ys too. They fit the show great.
My other vote would go to Little Shop of Horrors. I think the lyrics fit the show like a glove.
Updated On: 5/27/06 at 12:39 AM