Most Complicated Song

#1

Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:38pm

Some posts a couple days ago got me thinking about this one. I think I would give the award to "The Miller's Son." It took me forever to truely get what that song was saying. I'm sure most people would think a Sondheim song, but I am curious what you all think is the most complicated song you know.

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Keep your morals, I don't have time. Keep your lovers, I'm changing mine! -The Likes of Us

#2

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:39pm

I was JUST gonna say that the second I saw the title of this post.

Also, Now/Later/Soon is INCREDIBLY difficult (having performed it in concert a couple of times).

#3

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:40pm

Well other than the musical complexity, I really mean the message of the song, but musical complexity is fine too.

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Keep your morals, I don't have time. Keep your lovers, I'm changing mine! -The Likes of Us

#4

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:41pm

"Color and Light" perhaps. Just from hearing it, that is. I've never actually tried the piece.

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"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards." — Peter Brook

#5

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:42pm

Perhaps (difficult to sing at least):

Not Getting Married (Company)
LIza With a Z
Therapy (Tick Tick Boom)

#6

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:43pm

I would imagine Not Getting Married would be a mouthfull!

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Keep your morals, I don't have time. Keep your lovers, I'm changing mine! -The Likes of Us

#7

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:44pm

Updated On: 4/4/06 at 11:44 PM

#8

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:51pm

In terms of meaning and subtext, I would say (apart from the already-mentioned "Now/Later/Soon" and "The Miller's Son":
"The Road You Didn't Take"-Follies
"Sunday In The Park With George," "Move On," and "Putting It Together"-Sunday In The Park With George
"Epiphany"-Sweeney Todd

#9

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:52pm

Yeah, Epiphany is certainly up there. I don't think I've ever heard so much philosophy summed up in so few words.

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Keep your morals, I don't have time. Keep your lovers, I'm changing mine! -The Likes of Us

#10

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:52pm

And following the post's original meaning, I'd say that almost anything from "Last 5 Years" is quite complicated. Not always a mouthful, but sooooo difficult, serious, believable, and honest in theme, and just so achingly "real." Sometimes it's like listening to someone's private, personal conversations/thoughts.

Can NOT be easy to sing.

"Company" too.

#11

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:54pm

The poor girl turned blue during Not Getting Married when i saw Company. Poor high school sophomore.

#12

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:54pm

"I Wish" is a rather difficult song to stage and arrange (for amaterus), I imagine, what with all the... well... with EVERYTHING that's going on.

#13

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:11am

I would think Speed test in Millie would have been hard as far as just getting the words out. I am not a singer mind you.

#14

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 1:46am

"Whenever I Dream" from A New Brain. That song moves at a mile a minute. Also, I'm not sure what constitues a "complicated message", but "The Music Still Plays On" from ANB seems like it would be difficult for the singer as far as justifying and making believable the stream-of-consciousness lyrics.

I agree jpbran about L5Y...most particularly "Climbing Uphill" when she's at the audition. Brilliant.

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"Art is always in crisis: you must work fast to write in the breath on the window." -Edward Bond

#15

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 9:22am

"The Money Tree" from THE ACT. The lyrics are complex as they are kind of hopeful and cynical at the same time. And the melody requires a very good voice.

But what a brilliant song!

#16

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 9:56am

"another hundred people" seems to me worthy of nominating.

#17

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 9:57am

hehe- Yes Liza with a Z! She actually teases the viewers to try singing it! Sunday from Sunday in teh Park with George also has some fast passages.

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"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck

Updated On: 4/4/06 at 09:57 AM

#18

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:05am

"The Miller's Son" is crazily complicated, music-wise and as far as subject matter goes, too. Man, I love it. And thinking about how complicated it is makes me wish even more that I could've heard Michael Cerveris sing it at the Miscast Concert.

#19

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 10:53am

"nobody needs to know" from last five years is a difficult sub text to deal with.

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"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."

#20

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 11:16am

"Your Fault" from Into The Woods is a pain in the @$$ if you actually sing the notes written while performing it. When we did it we also had a lot of Jack, me, running and being chased by the Witch

#21

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 11:59am

I Read. The music doesn't help you at all, and the tempo is constantly changing. It doesn't seem all that difficult when singing along with the cd, but with just the accompaniment it's very tough!

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"This ocean runs more dark and deep than you may think you know...I'll be the fear of the fire at sea." -Marie Christine

Updated On: 4/8/06 at 11:59 AM

#22

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:08pm

I have to say "Complicated" by Weird Al Yankovic. (For those few of you who know the song).

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

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"Singing is the lowest form of communication" - Homer

#23

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 12:14pm

Well as far as singing/dancing goes, "The Music and the Mirror" from A Chorus Line has had a long history of being difficult for performers (with Bennett's choreography).

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"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs." -RuPaul

#24

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 2:05pm

I would consider "Glitter and Be Gay" in this category as well. Singing coloratura C's, Db's and Eb's is not a simple task.

#25

re: Most Complicated Song

Posted: 4/4/06 at 2:15pm

NOT GETTING MARRIED is definitely one of the hardest ever.


I think KISS ME(The Quaret)from Sweeney is very complicated also.