Most Complicated Song — Page 2

I have played Amy in Company and I can tell you. "Not Getting Married Today" IS difficult. But, oh my, is it ever fun!
:)

I'm playing Cathy presently, and you're right when you say that some of the subtext can make the songs difficult to perform. Cathy has her share of difficult moments-- and the key thing with her is walking the fine line between histrionic bitch and damaged young woman. You know a piece is complicated when your co-star is singing a song in the midst of an extra-marital affair and still gains the sympathy of the audience.

Defying Gravity is pretty hard.

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Defying Gravity is pretty hard.

Yeah, hard to listen to...

You Can't Stop the Beat? Maybe moderately, but not really for a professional performer.

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I don't know if it's the most complicated, but "Fable" from Light in the Piazza is exhausting. The rhythms and emotions are both extremely complicated, the vocal range is pretty wide, and in the sheet music, they don't have the piano part from the show, so the recording doesn't help at all for those of us who are rhythmically challenged.

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"Issue in Question" from Triumph of Love is a great song for guys but it's extremely difficult I would imagine...it's all over the place and very sudden.

I worked really hard to prepare when I sang Glitter and Be Gay....it's like running a marathon.

I agree that "A Little Night Music" wins this award (as an overall show)...

But "Now/Later/Soon" was a walk in the park compared to "A Weekend In the Country." My God, we spent FOREVER rehearsing that number! (And it was needed.) It took a LOT of concentrated work to make that one come together and gel. Everything from costume changes to set changes to meter changes in that song. But the payoff was magnificent.

As a solo, for women I would say, "The Worst Pies In London" from SWEENEY is pretty high on the list.

For men... (well, my own experience) it would be "Later." Playing the cello, acting, and hitting a high "B"... Not exactly your average, typical show tune.

And I didn't fake it. I PLAYED THE CELLO. Of course it helped that I was already a (pretty decent) violist. I'd gone to college on a double-scholarship for Voice and Viola, but I had never played the cello before in my life until I go the part of Henrik.

It was a huge feeling of accomplishment just to get through that number in one piece each night.

EDIT: I would also say that "Guido's Song" from NINE is high up there. Singing a duet with yourself and hitting all the "acting" moments in that song. Try it sometime.

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Updated On: 4/8/06 at 08:54 PM

Hi! I've sung Therapy. I don't find it that difficult.. to sing - but to understand? Oh yeah!

Other songs that I think is difficult to sing because of the tempo:
Fast - Zanna don't!
Getting married today - Company (That's a real tricky one!)
Climbing Uphill - Last 5 Years

Both Sides of the Coin- DROOD

Franklin Shepard Inc. from Merrily We Roll Along is also pretty hard.

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Updated On: 4/19/06 at 07:31 PM