The best rhymes in musical theater history — Page 2

Since this has fast turned into the thread of "Why Steve is a Better Lyricist than I Am," I'm gonna contribute one that's not from him.

The whole of "You've Got Possibilities" from It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman is one of my favorite lyrics of all time. I would do that show JUST so I could sing the song.

I came in to mention:

We don't foresee that you will be the least bit argumentative

So please ignore the man of war we brought as a preventative

But was beat to it!



Howard Ashman belongs in this conversation, but I have to think of a favorite.

"we become indiscreet,

eating sweet after sweet,

though we know all too well where that might lead,

so this box was designed

with the two of us in mind,

as the kind of reminder we need,

when you raise the lid the music plays

like a disapproving nod.

and it sings in your ear

no more candy, my dear

in a way, it's a little like the voice of God"

godlessondheimite said: "Who is this Sondheim guy and why are all these answers from him? That seems unfair.:



Hahaha well done. :)

I miss the love and laughter rippling
And the tippling
And Emily Bronte doing the twist
With Kipling.

Home, Sweet Heaven HIGH SPIRITS, Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray, though possibly lyric is one of Noel Coward's reported rewrites

June is busting out all over

The sheep aren't sleeping anymore

All the rams that chase the ewe sheep

Are determined there'll be new sheep

And the ewe sheep aren't even keeping score

"I too love that stanza, Adam, and often quote it to show that Hammerstein could rhyme cleverly with the best of them. He CHOSE not to do so in songs like "This Nearly Was Mine". "

Yes, Hammerstein had lots of wit, shown both in his lyrics and in his book scenes. And i think it is to his great credit that he didn't always go for the clever rhymes but often went for the well-written and emotionally powerful lyrics in many songs that fill you with emotion, especially when paired with the soaring melodies. For me, Sondheim has the largest number of lyrics that make me notice the fun rhymes and greatly appreciate the wit, but Hammerstein writes the shows that affect me the most emotionally, and Oscar's lyrics are still my favourites, so many years later.



Another Sondheim rhyme:

Agony, far more painful than yours

When you know she would go with you, if there only were doors

"Agony, far more painful than yours

When you know she would go with you, if there only were doors"



That is particularly good. Agreed.

adam.peterson44 said:
Yes, Hammerstein had lots of wit, shown both in his lyrics and in his book scenes. And i think it is to his great credit that he didn't always go for the clever rhymes but often went for the well-written and emotionally powerful lyrics in many songs that fill you with emotion, especially when paired with the soaring melodies. For me, Sondheim has the largest number of lyrics that make me notice the fun rhymes and greatly appreciate the wit, but Hammerstein writes the shows that affect me the most emotionally, and Oscar's lyrics are still my favourites, so many years later.

"

Well said. I didn't mention this in my earlier post because it's not full of great rhymes per se, but my all time favorite musical theater song is "O What a Beautiful Morning" for those exact reasons. The lyrics aren't clever, but they're evocative and lovely, and go perfectly with the melody.

Speaking of Hammerstein:

I know how it feels to have wings on your heels,
And to fly down the street in a trance.
You fly down a street on the chance that you meet,
And you meet -- not really by chance.