Broadway's most recycled song
Broadway's most recycled song
#1Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 1:46pm
This is an odd bit of trivia I've been trying to research: what song has been recycled into the greatest number of Broadway shows?
For example, George and Ira Gershwin wrote "Someone to Watch Over Me" for Oh, Kay! It was later recycled in both Crazy For You and Nice Work If You Can Get It, and it may have been used in other revues between 1926 and 1992.
What other songs like this are out there, and which has been used more times than any other?
TheGingerBreadMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/7/12
#2Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 2:52pmBlue Skies by Irving Berlin was written for Betsy in the 20’s and used in White Christmas later. It may have been used other times as well that I’m not aware of.
#3Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 2:55pm
In terms of jukebox musical songs, “I Say A Little Prayer” was in three different shows at the same time.
- the revival of “Promises, Promises” (as it was added for Chenoweth)
- “Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert”
- “Baby, It’s You”
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MollyJeanneMusic
Broadway Star Joined: 3/10/19
#4Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 2:59pm
TheGingerBreadMan said: "Blue Skies by Irving Berlin was written for Betsy in the 20’s and used in White Christmas later. It may have been used other times as well that I’m not aware of."
It was also used in Holiday Inn.
Also, while In Trousers wasn't on Broadway, the song "I'm Breaking Down" appeared in it first before becoming a part of March of the Falsettos (the first act of Falsettos).
"I think that when a movie says it was 'based on a true story,' oh, it happened - just with uglier people." - Peanut Walker, Shucked
#5Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 3:00pm
There must be numerous examples. If I had to guess, the most used song would probably be one that featured both in musicals and revues and may be a standard from the golden age or maybe even a song by Stephen Sondheim since there have been a few Sondheim revues on Broadway.
Updated On: 9/27/19 at 03:00 PM#6Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 3:03pm
quizking101 said: "In terms of jukebox musical songs, “I Say A Little Prayer” was in three different shows at the same time.
- the revival of “Promises, Promises” (as it was added for Chenoweth)
- “Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert”
- “Baby, It’s You”"
Almost. Promises, Promises closed in January 2011 and Priscilla opened in March.
#7Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 3:14pm
There was a very brief overlap between the 2011 revivals of Anything Goes and Born Yesterday, which both feature the song "Anything Goes."
Actually, now that I just checked, did the 1989 revival of Born Yesterday ALSO coincide with the Lincoln Center revival of Anything Goes?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
leefowler
Broadway Star Joined: 7/13/04
#8Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 3:59pm
I seem to recall that "Sing Sing Sing" was in 3 shows at once, but I can't recall which ones. I think it was in "Swing," "Contact", and "Big Deal." Does anyone know for sure?
Behind the fake tinsel of Broadway is real tinsel.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#9Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 4:04pm
leefowler said: "I seem to recall that "Sing Sing Sing" was in 3 shows at once, but I can't recall which ones. I think it was in "Swing," "Contact", and "Big Deal." Does anyone know for sure?"
It was also in Dancin' and Fosse as well.
leefowler
Broadway Star Joined: 7/13/04
#10Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 5:23pm
My mistake, Sing Sing Sing was never in Big Deal.
Behind the fake tinsel of Broadway is real tinsel.
#11Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 9:56pm
Cole Porter's "Friendship," originally written for the musical, "DuBarry Was a Lady," was later interpolated into the revivals of Anything Goes.
Although the song is not performed, the lyrics for "Friendship" are briefly quoted in The House of Blue Leaves, which was playing on Broadway in 2011 at the same time as the most recent revival of Anything Goes.
"What was the name of that cheese that I like?"
"you can't run away forever...but there's nothing wrong with getting a good head start"
"well I hope and I pray, that maybe someday, you'll walk in the room with my heart"
#12Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/27/19 at 10:26pm
“ ‘S Wonderful “ by the Gershwins again
- Funny Face (1927)
- My One and Only (1983)
- Nice Work If You Can Get It (2012)
- An American in Paris (2015)
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#13Broadway's most recycled song
Posted: 9/28/19 at 12:45am
leefowler said: "I seem to recall that "Sing Sing Sing" was in 3 shows at once, but I can't recall which ones. I think it was in "Swing," "Contact", and "Big Deal." Does anyone know for sure?"
And at one point "Sing Sing Sing" was in two theatres pretty much directly across from each other at the same time when Swing! was running in the St. James and Fosse was occupying the Broadhurst. In addition "Razzle Dazzle" and "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag" were playing two times a night right next door to each other since Chicago was still in the Shubert during the run of Fosse.
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