Songs that seem to embody the actor, not character

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 3:39am

Once in awhile, it seems like an actor or actress performs a single song and it just seems to sum things up (according to you that is since songs can mean different things to different people).
The one that just to mind before was when Sutton Foster sang "I'm the Greatest Star" at the Funny Girl concert last year. It was after she won the Tony and everything but semi-early, definately not a year as Millie yet.
Anyway parts of this song reminds me of her, being a newer actress at the time and all and I'm sure she had her bad days while trying to get to Broadway. so here are some parts of the song that kind of show that:


"Instead of just kicking me
Why don't they give me a lift?
Well,it must be a plot,
'Cause they're scared that I got
Such a gift--well, I'm miffed--'cause
I'm the greatest star--
I am by far, but no one knows it!

Wait, they're gonna hear a voice,
A silver flute--ah hah, ah hah--
They'll cheer each toot
When I expose it!"

"Some ain't got it--not a lump,
I'm a great big clump of talent...."


and my personal favorite:

When you're gifted,
Then you're gifted,
These are facts--I got no axe to grind.
Hey, what are you--blind?
In all of the world so far
I'm the greatest star!"

"I'll light up like a light
Right up like a light
I'll flicker, then flare up
All the world's gonna stare up
Lookin' down
You'll never see me--
Try the sky,
'Cause that'll be me.
I can make 'em cry,
I can make 'em sigh,
Someday they'll clamor
For my dram-er.


(IMO) Have you guessed yet? Who's the best yet?
If ya ain't I'll tell ya one more time.
You bet your last dime
In all of the world so far
I am the greatest, greatest star!"

I remember at that show the audience went nuts after she sang, it was amazing...anyone else have something like this?

[BwayLover]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 4:20am

Well, personally, even though Sutton Foster sang it once and it reminds you of her, in my opinion this song has always been and will always be Barbra Streisand's. This song DEFINES her.
You can't really compare the two yet... Wait another 40 years, see what Foster has achieved, and then decide. But for now- IMHO - this song belongs, represents, embodies and describes Barbra Streisand.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 4:44am

ok let's not turn this into a barbra threadm there has to be someone else out there that can relate to what i'm sying

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 8:33am

My aversion to That Streisand Woman has been well documented on this board, However, "I'm the Greatest Star" will always be associated with HER and not Sutton Foster. Even when Mimi Hines took over the lead in FUNNY GIRL, the song still echoed That Streisand Woman.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 8:45am

WOW. If DOLLYPOP agrees with me on something Streisand related, I guess I really AM right. Thanks, pop. Never thought I would see the day!

To get back to the original topic...let's think of other songs that embody performers. Hmmm... Any suggestions?

Updated On: 12/6/03 at 08:45 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 8:57am

BwyLover, please don't get too carried away with your enthusiasm. Our blissful state of concord will undoubtably be short-lived.

Yours for a more strident Streisand,

Dollypop

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 10:27am

I read the subj and thought this a fascinating idea for a thread/discussion. But Foster singing "...Star" is 180 from what the thread suggests. It's a signature song for a diva AND the "I Want" number for the character of Fanny Brice.

This thread could be more about COVERS of hit songs, re-interpreted, no? Covers fascinate me. What's baffling me is why Linda Eder has taken on "I Am What I Am," now playing 24/7 to sell her looming concert. The gay defiance lyrics sound particularly strained coming out of her mouth ("...no return and no deposit" rhyming with "closet" really grates -- it's thin enough coming from a drag queen; coming from a diva, just Vegas-y and plastic.)

Most songs written for an actors reflect vocal strengths and weaknesses. One of the classic theater songs, "Send In the Clowns" probably works as powerfully as it does because it was written for Glynis Johns' small range. Sondheim said he wanted to use words that she wouldn't have to hold. As a result, the lyrics "land" differently. We have a song that often sounds BETTER when sung by a singing actor, not a "singer." I will always take Glynis over, say, Judy Collins doing "clowns."

Before everyone jumps on me, I know the song is about Desiree, not Glynis. But Johns stamp -- as a woman d'un age certain -- made it a kind of poignant rumination on love that makes it a great fit for middle aged actors. It doesn't really work with someone under 40, does it?

Updated On: 12/6/03 at 10:27 AM

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 1:55am

auggie
it actually was an opinion post, i was kinda interested in what people would say until i realize that it seems anything i post will shot down. why can't you guys just comment once and let it go? less is more, unless you are just out to humiliate me further

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 3:24am

I think that particular song you chose to start this thread with is a song most singers can be seen relating to in their struggle to the top no matter who it is.

I would say Sebastian Bach singing This Is The Moment. Hes very much a guy who was hurt by his ex-bandmates for being kicked out in 96. He was waiting for his chance 'to prove to them I made it on my own.' Jekyll & Hyde was a high point in his career. He was trying to make sense of his past and using all his past experiences and putting his emotions into this one moment.

-Christina

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 4:05am

"I think that particular song you chose to start this thread with is a song most singers can be seen relating to in their struggle to the top no matter who it is"

Thanks Mistress, I tried to explain that better in my post but...nothing. I chose that for a reason, since Ms. Foster's career was just really going forward at the time I hear her perform it.
For example:

"I'm the greatest star, I am by far but no one knows it. That's why I was born, I'll blow my horn til someone blows it..."

I know singer and actors who are very talented and love their craft, but sometimes (to their frustration) they don't get the chance to prove it. Everyone has their own thing I guess, it's just the matter of doing your best to make it happen and even then there's no sure thing

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 9:44am

I agree that "I'm the Greatest Star"...when Barbra sings it, she just owns it and becomes it.
I think ever since Bernadette Peters took on the role of Mama Rose, she has just become "Rose's Turn." She acts it, sings it, embodies it. The show may belong to Ethel and Angela, but I honestly think that song will forever be Bernadette's.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 9:57am

Sorry, Bronte, I really do not wish to humiliate anyone. I just thought perhaps you were talking about covers of songs taking on a life of their own. Typical of me, I used it to voice my own opinions.

I apologize if my words sounded more judgmental than I intended them. For what it's worth, from my observations some of the best discussions on this board seem to grow out of just this type of "misunderstood" thread.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 10:44am

Auggie
I'm sorry too. I've been a little on edge lately due to some people on this board. didn't mean to take it out on you at all. please accept my apology.
but i'd still ike to hear what cover you especially like if you don't mind charing them?

I also agree with Rose's turn, Bernadette Peters has definately made it her own. Her Tony performance is one of my favorites...

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 12:21pm

Good Morning Baltimore embodies Marissa. She was a virtual unknown and suddenly she became a Broadway star.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 12:21pm

Good Morning Baltimore embodies Marissa. She was a virtual unknown and suddenly she became a Broadway star.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 1:09pm

Bronte, I completely agree with what you said about Sutton Foster and "I'm the Greatest Star" it does seem to define her very much at that point in her career.

[Bway_Mill_Fan]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 5:38pm

yes i agree. though it is Barbara's song, at that TIME and place it was very discriptive of Ms.Foster

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 9:07pm

How about "Defying Gravity" and Idina Menzel? When I saw Wicked (and I know that Idina doesn't sing "Defying Gravity" by herself), it just seemed to become her song, her big moment. I don't know if you all agree with me.

And Christine, I agree about "Rose's Turn". Good choice!

[Joshbstn]

Posted: 12/12/03 at 2:16pm

But isn't Ms. Foster too conventionally attractive for that song? Isn't part of it, I am different looking so I am ignored?

[robbiej]

Posted: 12/12/03 at 3:14pm

I was confused about what this topic would be about.

I would probably disagree, bronte (not to humiliate...please don't get me wrong), with you assessment. Only because I don't think Sutton had the struggle associated with that song. She's the same age or younger than I (29) and she has an extensive list of major credits. I would say she stepped in sh*t at an early age. Plus, hadn't she won the Tony by then?

Someone who has seemed to become a song is Elaine Stritch. I wouldn't necessarily say hers is the best performance of the song...but I think it is in some ways a blurring of song and actress.

[orion59]

Posted: 12/12/03 at 3:29pm

Well, as far as Elaine Stritch goes, I would say that The Ladies Who Lunch certainly seemed to embody her. It's a bitter, B#!chy number that reflects the way peopel often view her and the image she has created. Hard, tough and ready to atke on the world.

Anything You can Do is, in my opinion, a good example of a song taht embodies the attitude and spirit of Ethel Merman. She ceratinly seemed to have believed that about herself.

I'm not sure if I'm on teh right track here but, I think this is what you were getting at with this thread.