Songs about Body Positivity

[Thespian24601 2]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 4:39pm

I'm just curious, does anyone know any theatre songs about body positivity, for example, Big, Blonde, and Beautiful from Hairspray. Let me know if you can think of any :)

[Kitsune]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 4:48pm

My first thought is "Beautiful" from Head Over Heels. The song itself is not about being plus sized, but a plus-sized woman sings it without any irony. (In the regional licensing, I believe Pamela is described as plus-sized, so it's not just because Bonnie Milligan originated the role).

[Kad]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:04pm

"I'm Here" from The Color Purple.

[TrChSpHa]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:24pm

"It Ain't No Thing," Bring It On.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:38pm

"My Body" from THE LIFE  (usually performed by a group of non-traditional chorus girls)

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:42pm

Big Black Man from Full Monty

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/20/19 at 3:13am

"Find Out What They Like" from AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' is "body neutral" in the lyrics, but was performed all out by two large, but very sexy women. I always found it very "body liberating" and smoking hot!

ETA Although the show was performed by an all-black cast, this particular song doesn't mention race, IIRC.

Updated On: 6/20/19 at 03:13 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/20/19 at 9:46am

JSquared2 said: ""My Body" fromTHE LIFE (usually performed by a group of non-traditional chorus girls)"

 

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 6/20/19 at 9:59am

"Nothin' But The Radio On" from Naked Boys Singing

[L_Ash826]

Posted: 6/20/19 at 2:15pm

In My Body is a new musical that premiered in Philadelphia - almost all the songs might fall into the category of body positivity. From their website (http://www.inmybodythemusical.com/): "COVERING and UNCOVERING gender identity, infertility, bullying, pride, aging, obesity, trauma, self-loathing, disability, passion, sexuality, love and so much more." 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 6/20/19 at 9:58pm

Arguably "This is Our Story" from Shrek though that's more of a general acceptance song. Same with "Tear Me Down" from Hedwig. Also arguably "Stepsister's Lament" from Cinderella. Sort of. "Gorgeous" from The Apple Tree assumes the singer is conventionally attractive but I guess it's technically body positive. I guess "I Am What I Am" from La Cage since identity is conflated with gender performance. 

I think the best bet is Bella, the musical by Kirsten Childs. I just found out it's on Spotify when I was looking up answers to this question.

It's difficult because not a lot of musical theater characters explicitly call attention to their size...