Songs you can never hear anyone else sing.. except the original performer!

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 3:18pm

I am listening to KINKY BOOTS (Hold Me In Your Heart) and I can't understand who would ever sing that song better than Billy Porter! I can't imagine anyone else singing that song with such energy, soul and care like he does.

What other songs/performer come to mind that you can only listen to the original performer singing it?



Updated On: 7/23/13 at 03:18 PM

[Broadway Geek2]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 3:45pm

"People" (Funny Girl)

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 6:29pm

I too was going to say "People". And not in a good way...

[After Eight]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 6:33pm

Judy Garland- Over the Rainbow
Peggy Lee- Fever, Is That All There Is?
Ethel Merman- Everything's Coming Up Roses, Rose's Turn

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 7:22pm

I am repeating myself as I just mentioned this in another thread but William Daniels singing all the John Adams songs in 1776. No one else has come close.

(though I have to agree about Billy Porter..I was just listening to that song in the car.)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 7:25pm

None. I'm always open to new interpretations and I usually prefer revival recordings over original cast recordings.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 7:41pm

If you honestly feel that way, I feel sorry for those people. Even if I don't like a newer interpretation, I am glad the song is still being re-imagined.

There is nothing worse than the "old show queens" (thanks Jeffery and Cole) who lament how no one can touch Gwen's version in the 1910 version of Legs Ahoy! Give it a rest.

Let's keep it moving people. Let's keep dusting off the scores and keep singing.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:01pm

Nobody can touch Georgia Brown singing As Long As He Needs Me

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:02pm

Patti can.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:04pm

So can Judy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT0ms9UdxcE

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:06pm

Well, Judy can top anything.

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:07pm

Ben Fankhauser recorded the Scott Alan song "Over The Mountains", and although very good...it will never beat Bobby Steggert version of the song...Bobby just makes me cry every time I hear it, while Ben makes it sound like he is trying too hard.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:15pm

Sorry, but no. Georgia has that whisky voice mixed with pathos and bravado. She owns the song.
Link

[After Eight]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:25pm

"Give it a rest."

Take our own advice. Or better yet, go stuff it. Don't you tell people how to feel.

And also, try to drop slurs like "old show queens" from your parlance. It's both ageist and homophobic.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:35pm

"Don't you tell people how to feel."

Coming from one of Broadwayworld's nastiest, crankiest posters, that's pretty F'in rich.

[gavyj]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:43pm

"Over the Rainbow" by Judy
"Rainbow High" by Patti
"Not a Day Goes By" by Bernadette (she may not be the original but I can only listen to her)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:44pm

^I agree about Bernadette's version of that song.

[PTOPhan]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 8:56pm

I can think of very few. They're more likely to be rock than Broadway. For example, I can't picture too many people singing Elton's John's "Your Song."

Julie Andrews may be one of the few from Broadway, singing
The Sound of Music and A Spoonful of Sugar. Another might be Ethel Merman, singing anything from Annie Get Your Gun.

I have to admit that no one does Valjean like Colm Wilkinson, even though I can picture lots of people in the role.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 9:07pm

^Billy Joel sings Your Song as a duet with Elton John that I love.

There is nothing worse than the "old show queens" (thanks Jeffery and Cole) who lament how no one can touch Gwen's version in the 1910 version of Legs Ahoy! Give it a rest.

THANK YOU. I have to hold my tongue every time I see those posts in revival threads.

"Why should we revive these shows?! I saw the original and it was perfect and no one should ever do it again! I would rather the show fade into obscurity than let future generations enjoy a new version!"

Updated On: 7/23/13 at 09:07 PM

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 7/23/13 at 11:11pm

Hard to top Julie Andrews, IMHO.

[beagle]

Posted: 7/24/13 at 12:23am

I second the sentiments about William Daniels in 1776. I've seen other performances of the show (including the Broadway revival with Brent Spiner) and have never seen anyone come close to Daniels's performance. I'm so glad he was in the film so future generations will be able to see his remarkable portrayal. I would love to see someone equal it one day, though. I'm just doubtful that will happen.

I'm all for revivals, and I think some of them have even been better than the original productions. Even when I don't think a performance is as good as the original, though, I don't think there is any role that really "belongs" to one performaer in the sense that nobody else should ever try to play it. Someone may be the best, but that doesn't mean they are the only one who can give a worthwhile performance.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 7/24/13 at 12:27am

For me, Dorothy Collins singing "Losing My Mind" is so brilliant and perfect, any other version I've heard pales in comparison.

That doesn't mean I'm not open to listening other versions, but nothing has come close.

Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" is another good example.

[MollyL]

Posted: 7/24/13 at 8:24am

Tommy Korberg's Anthem
I really like Alfie Boe's voice as Valjean. Both of these guys give me chills.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 7/24/13 at 8:54am

Agree on "Losing My Mind." No one has done it better. Also agree that I enjoy hearing others sing it.

Another one that comes to mind is Barbara Cook's "Glitter and Be Gay." Others sound too operatic to my ears or don't have her acting ability.

As for "Anthem," David Carroll's is the top version for me. That's the one that gives me chills.

[AngusN]

Posted: 7/24/13 at 9:05am

I too agree about Bernadette singing Not A Day Goes By, it's absolute perfection. I also don't think anyone comes close to her version of Being Alive.
Furthermore I agree at Judy's version of Rainbow; untouchable.
Ellen Greene's Somewhere That's Green.
Stephanie Mills' Home from The Wiz.