Songs about Denial

[catmandoo]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 8:48pm

Hi all,

I'm doing a project for my psychology class about defense mechinisms, and want to incorporate some broadway or disney songs to make it a little fun.

For "Reaction-Formation- unacceptable behavior is kept out of awareness by developing the opposite behavior or emotion. Over compensating."
I'm using Frollo's section of "Heaven's Light/Hellfire" from Hunchback.

For "Conversion/ Somatization- transfer anxiety to a physical symptom without an organic cause"
I'm using "Adelaide's Lament" from Guys and Dolls.

My third topic is "Denial- ignore the existence of unpleasant feeling, needs and/or realities. Refuse to acknowledge that a real situation exists."

And for the life of me, I can't think of any to use! I'm sure there are lots. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 9:00pm

It's probably rather simplistic and/or specific, but "Peter's Denial" from Jesus Christ Superstar pretty much hits the nail of the third one on the head, depending on how you look at it.

[catmandoo]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 9:34pm

Oh, good idea.
But just after I posted this, 'Turn it off' from Book of Mormon came on my ipod... that's kind of a good one too, I think.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 9:38pm

Not exactly sure if it fits into one of the three you described, but In Buddy's Eyes has Sally essentially trying to convince herself and Ben that she's in a happy marriage.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 10:25pm

Aldonza's song from Man of La Mancha. Quixote's denial is very evident.

[catmandoo]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 10:57pm

I'm not too familiar with either of those songs, but I'll look for them. Thanks a lot!

[NoName3]

Posted: 12/6/11 at 11:02pm

People Will Say Were in Love from Oklahoma! Laurie and Curley are totally in love but spend their big duet telling each other they're not.
Updated On: 12/6/11 at 11:02 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 12:13am

Rose's Turn from Gypsy

[sergio_27]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 12:39am

Well... next to normal is about a woman refusing to aknowledge that a real situation exists. I'm sure you'll be able to find something useful in it.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 12:50am

An ideal song for the third topic would be
"I Don't Want to Know" from DEAR WORLD. Countess Aurelia refuses to accept that the world around her is not the loving, beautiful world that she remembers from her glittering youth. She defiantly says that if love is dead, she does not want to know and would rather bury her head in the sand. Such a potential reality would be unbearable to her so she vows to hold on to her illusions because her memories all are exciting. A marvelously stirring dramatic Jerry Herman song originated by Angela Lansbury, who won a tony award for her performance.


ANGELA DOESN'T WASN'T TO KNOW Updated On: 12/7/11 at 12:50 AM

Posted: 12/7/11 at 8:17am

In Denial from Closer to Heaven

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 8:31am

"It's Not Just Our River" from "Prince of Egypt"

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 8:56am

"I Wont Dance", by Kern and Hammerstein -- originally written for a London show called Three Sisters and then made insanely popular by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 9:25am

Tell Me It's Not True from Blood Brothers

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 9:29am

"Not Getting Married Today" from Company
Updated On: 12/7/11 at 09:29 AM

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 1:19pm

It's Gonna be Good - Next to Normal
Maybe This Time - Cabaret. This is just my interpretation, but I think Sally knows it's not going to ever work out for her.

[newintown]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 1:24pm

"I'm Alive" from Next To Normal [shudder]. Terrible song, terrible show. But the character is definitely not alive.

[labwyfan]

Posted: 12/7/11 at 2:33pm

And just in time for the holidays - "I Don't Remember Christmas" from Starting Here, Starting Now.

[peerrjb]

Posted: 12/8/11 at 1:33am

I was just about to suggest "I Don't Remember Christmas" as well -- a good choice with some chewy lyric-images.
For something sillier and more direct: "I'm Not At All In Love" from "Pajama Game".

[mallardo]

Posted: 12/8/11 at 1:44am

"Lie To Me" from A Woman on the Verge.

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/8/11 at 1:52am

My third topic is "Denial- ignore the existence of unpleasant feeling, needs and/or realities. Refuse to acknowledge that a real situation exists."

You've got to learn how not to be
Where you are
The more you face reality, the more you scar
So close your eyes and you'll become a movie star
Why must you stay where you are?
You've got to learn how not to see
What you've seen
The slice of hell you call your life
Is harsh and mean
So why not lie beside me on a movie screen
Why must you see what you've seen?
And if you find that you land in jail
A little fantasy will not fail
It's just as simple as ABC
Come up here, play with me, play with me!
You've got to learn how not to do
What you've done
The pistol shot can't kill if you unload the gun
So build a place where you're the shah
And we'll embrace in that Shangri-La
If you run away, some matinee
From where you are

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 12/8/11 at 2:44am

This is on the cheesy side but "I Know The Truth" from Disney's "Aida" may fit the bill for the Denial song.

Peter's mother's song "Warning" from "Bare: A Pop Opera" where she remains in denial about her son's homosexuality as she stifles his attempt to come out to her also works.

The duet "Please" from "Miss Saigon" also demonstrates how Kim is so sure that Chris remained faithful to her even after being separated from each other for 3 years after the U.S. withdrew from Vietnam while John is trying his best to make her listen to no avail that that is not quite the case. Kim is in denial big time, in my view, about the reality of her situation when she sings this song with John.
Updated On: 12/8/11 at 02:44 AM

[catmandoo]

Posted: 12/9/11 at 6:29pm

Thanks everyone... I actually ended up using "he's not here" from NtN

and switching the Reaction Formation to Supression and using "Turn it off" from Book of Mormon.

I got a "Very Creative!!!" comment and 100%

Thanks a lot!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 12/12/11 at 3:07pm

glad it helped, Catmandoo. btw I just rememberEd another one: Kander and Ebb's "I Don't Remember You" from THE HAPPY TIME.