Misinterpreted Songs

I read an interview with Sondheim in which he stated that people misunderstand the true meaning of "No One Is Alone." It's not a "we'll be all right" number, but rather a warning that "we're not alone" therefore our actions affect someone else.

This made me think of starting this thread. Does anyone have any misunderstood songs? "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" comes to mind, because I just went to see a local production over the weekend. At the start of Act II, one of the people I was with commented, "I thought she sang that at the end." Taken out of context, the song does seem like Eva singing from the grave and recounting her life story. But within the basis of the show (during Peron's inauguration) Eva is assuring the people that even though she's risen to heights of glory and seems miles away, she remains a part of them. [The real Evita often reminded her followers that she still was working class, like them, despite her extravagant wealth.) The chorus puts this clearly:

Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

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"Broadway Baby"

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I personally hate how a lot of performers treat Cabaret like some cheesy funy song, being that in its original context it couldn't come from a more painful place.

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people who don't know the context of "everything's coming up roses" have no idea what it is about.

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blaxx, I agree with you about Cabaret. But I think the best versions are when the pain wells from deep within, occasionally bursting through the cheery, upbeat veneer. The veneer is essential to the equation. When I saw Teri Hatcher play Sally, she sang Cabaret ALL subtext, like she beat the audience with every lyric.

Not a Broadway song, but Ruben Studdard butchered Superstar repeatedly. The song's supposed to be creepy, not a love ballad.

Two songs come in my mind

the first is "my Funny Valentine" which is often sung on February the 14th although Valentine is not a "sweetheart" but the person's name.

the second is "I won't send roses" from Mack n Mabel that due to its witty and extremely original lyrics is thought to mean totally the oposite of what it really does.

Children&art, "My Funny Valentine" is sung to the character "Valentine"/"Val" in Babes in Arms (and obviously the lyric also works for "sweetheart"…there’s a reason Rodgers & Hart didn’t write "My Funny Irving").

children&art, I was referring to the actual song, which is sung at Peron's inauguration. Eva is asking the people not to cry for her, not because she is dying ("Final Broadcast") or dead ("Requiem'), but because she hasn't deserted them, despite her opulence. This is the song from the show with which most people are familiar. (I just sounded like Ruth from "WONDERFUL TOWN" right there!) When taken out of context and sung at talent shows or what not, people assume Eva sings it as her farewell number, which in fact she does not. And each time she sings "Don't Cry For Me..." ("Requiem," "The Casa Rosada," "Final Broadcast") it has a different meaning. So there. :)

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luvtheEmcee, her "Rainbow Tour" perhaps?

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What I Did For Love

It was the 1970's. It's about the casting couch.

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Another non-Broadway: I remember interviews with Sting in which he recalled people coming up to him and telling him "Every Breath You Take" was their wedding song.

He would just tell them "Good luck".

xxnewgirlxx, that was the example I was just about to post. The prom committee my senior year wanted to use the song as our theme. I advised they pay a little more attention to the lyrics.

and I HATE it when young girls sing Broadway Baby with the sort of voice Eartha Kitt used for Santa Baby. Pet peeve, that one.