Most recognisable song from a musical, worldwide ???

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 9:54am

I think it would be very interesting to discuss which song from a musical is the most well known around the world ! In my opinion it must be "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" followed by "Memory". I think even people with no connection to musicals at all, around the world, know these two. Of course there must be others, maybe Phantom too ? Your thoughts on the most popular ?

[Gooch]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 9:58am

Send in the Clowns is widely recognized although most people do not know what it is from.
I agree with Memory and add much of the score from The Sound of Music.

[Forester]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 9:59am

A lot of Rodgers and Hammerstein's materials are very well known around the world.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:00am

I'd say it's easily "Phantom of the Opera."

"Greased Lightning" or "Summer Nights" is probably a close second.

[Urban]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:02am

Proberly anything from "The Sound of Music" or "Grease".

[JulianHookbucks]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:12am

probably "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" or most of the score from Wizard of Oz.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:14am

As much as it pains me, I think it's "Phantom of the Opera" because of the intro by the organ.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:22am

Gee, does anyone other than me think there were musicals written before 'Grease'??
'Summer Nights'? Please! How about the title songs from "Hello, Dolly!", "Oklahoma!" or "Mame"? What about 'standards' like 'On the Street Where You Live', 'Old Man River' or 'Some Enchanted Evening'. Is there a child out there who doesn't know 'Do Re Mi'?

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:27am

I guess you a right. Initially I was thinking the intent of this thread was for a "non-musical loving person" to hear a song from a musical and say "That is fromt he musical _____________."

I stand corrected.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:30am

It's very easily "Chrysanethemum Tea" from Pacific Overtures.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:40am

Right now, sad as it is, I think the most known songs from musicals are If I Were a Rich Man and Hard Knock Life - though neither of them because of the musicals or even their original versions.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 10:43am

I think most Broadway shows that were successful before the late 80s early 90s are universally known.

42nd Street
A Chorus Line
All Rodgers and Hammerstein
Fiddler on the Roof
Annie
Oliver
The Fantasticks
My Fair Lady
Evita
Phantom of the Opera
Les Miserable to a certain degree
Music Man
Gypsy
Chicago

I think anything that is considered somewhat of a classic, is known by everyone, and that's what makes it a classic. Maybe I'm wrong...
Updated On: 8/28/05 at 10:43 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:22am

"Music of the Night" - POTO
"Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'" - Oklahoma!
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" - Evita

I always see these songs on compilation or random instrumental CDs.

[Act0r721]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:27am

Oh, I definitely disagree against "Phantom of the Opera." Before the movie came out, I barely even knew it and I even had the CD. No no no.

I agree with "Do Re Mi," "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" and "Send In The Clowns." My other choices are "'Till There Was You" and "Something's Coming."

[sanda]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:28am

Do Re Mi-sound of music

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:38am

Gee, does anyone other than me think there were musicals written before 'Grease'??
'Summer Nights'? Please! How about the title songs from "Hello, Dolly!", "Oklahoma!" or "Mame"? What about 'standards' like 'On the Street Where You Live', 'Old Man River' or 'Some Enchanted Evening'. Is there a child out there who doesn't know 'Do Re Mi'?

I come frm a family of people not into Broadway and they would never know anything about a show called MAME, but say Grease to them and they've got their OBC on record!

[YessicaB]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:47am

The Sound of Music isn't as known as you'd think. Before I moved to the US I had never even heard of it.
Sad as it is, I'd say the most well known songs worldwide would have to be: "Memories", everything Grease, and maybe "Don't cry for me Argentina" and "Rich Man".

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:50am

NO ONE SAID..

BIG SPENDER ??

One of the most famous showtunes of ALL TIME.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:53am

I'm surprised no one's said 'There's No Business Like Show Business'...I'd say it could very easily be the one.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:55am

You might be right ljay... A kid started singing it in my class one time, having no idea where it came from, but if he knows it, anyone knows it.

A lot of songs from musicals have been being used on commercials lately... so, unfortunately, people recognize the songs from them.

But I still think, hands down, the most widely known songs are from Sound of Music...

I will test it out... I'll start singing random songs from musicals in class and see if they pick up... lol

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:57am

What songs might Bubba in Montana or Oklahoma know? Or people in small countries we haven't even heard of?

Not many of the ones listed here! lol

I would agree with those who say GREASE and "Over the Rainbow" and maybe SOUND OF MUSIC.

[sanda]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:57am

you theatre people sometimes really give some theatre songs too much credit.

[YessicaB]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 11:59am

The Sound of Music might be the most recognized one here in the States, but like I said it's not really known worldwide. I don't even think the movie came out most anywhere else. (which is how most people would recognize the songs I guess).
Updated On: 8/28/05 at 11:59 AM

[sanda]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 12:00pm

You are wrong. I am from China. Even when I was a kid, I listened to that song and loved it at once. Sound of music maybe is one of the most well known American movies in China.

Updated On: 8/28/05 at 12:00 PM

[sanda]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 12:02pm

And may I ask you, are you from Austria? I heard that SOM is not popular in Austria.