Tony Award for Best Song

[jacksprat]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:07am

Updated as it has now been 19 years since the original article was published...

Stumbled upon this fascinating article from over 19 years ago in which Peter Filichia, writing for Playbill, speculated on the Broadway songs that would have been nominated (and won) the Tony Award for Best Song. My first thought was what a missed opportunity that the real Tonys never embraced this idea, but then my second thought was to wonder what would have been nominated and won in the years since his original article was published.

http://www.playbill.com/article/stagestruck-by-peter-filichia-the-best-song-tony-goes-to-com-75783

When we left off, Peter proclaimed the nominees of the 1997-98 season to be: "They Live in You" (The Lion King), "Who Will Love Me as I Am?" (Side Show), "Bernadette" (The Capeman), and "Wheels of a Dream" (Ragtime). Winner?

And would anyone like to take a stab at the nominees and winners of the Best Song Tony for the seasons 1998-1999 through to 2016-2017. (Feel free to dispute Peter's selections as well!)

(Incidentally, my ulterior motive in gathering this information is to put together a mix tape of all of the Best Songs for me to enjoy. Do people still do mix tapes?)

The Best Song Tony goes to... Updated On: 4/18/17 at 10:07 AM

[finebydesign]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:17am

I believe that Lion King song was written for the Lion King sequel album and wasn't "new." Most of the music in Lion King is repurposed, not sure it could qualify, I'm sure an award of this type would be for something original.

[jacksprat]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 12:28pm

He Lives/They Live In You does indeed show up on the sequel soundtrack CD "Rhythm of the Pride Lands". I guess it would come down to a Tony committee to determine whether or not it could be considered eligible or not. In any event, I think "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime is far more likely to take home this prize.

[jacksprat]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 12:46pm

Thoughts on other Best Songs of the past 15 years? If I may speculate...

1998-99: The Old Red Hills of Home (Parade)
1999-2000: Welcome to My Party (The Wild Party)
2000-01: Keep It Gay (The Producers)
2001-02: I See a River (Urinetown)
2002-03: Good Morning, Baltimore (Hairspray)
2003-04: Defying Gravity (Wicked)
2004-05: Find Your Grail (Spamalot)
2005-06: I'm Here (The Color Purple)
2006-07: The Song of Purple Summer (Spring Awakening)
2007-08: When You're Home (In The Heights)
2008-09: Electricity (Billy Elliot)
2009-10: Steal Your Rock and Roll (Memphis)
2010-11: I Believe (The Book of Mormon)
2011-12: Something to Believe In (Newsies)
2012-13: When I Grow Up (Matilda)

Objections?



Updated On: 4/1/14 at 12:46 PM

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 1:01pm

1998-99: I love the song "They Live in You" and would probably have voted for it (BTW, it was written for the musical then inserted into the film sequel)
1999-2000: I abstain as I'm not overly familiar with the season
2000-2001: I think something from The Producers ("I Want to be a Producer" I think is the title of the song I would choose-I am not overly familiar with it.)
2001-2002: Abstain-I was living abroad and am not overly familiar with what was playing here at the time
2002-2003: You Can't Stop the Beat, Hairspray
2003-2004: either Defying Gravity or For Good from Wicked
2004-2005: Find Your Grail from Spamalot
2005-2006: As We Stumble Along, The Drowsy Chaperone
2006-2007: Another Winter in a Summer Town, Grey Gardens
2007-2008: Paciencia y Fe, In the Heights
2008-2009: I Miss the Mountains, next to normal
2009-2010: Truthfully probably something from Sherie Renee Scott's show, Everyday Rapture, although I guess Steal Your Rock and Roll is fine (boy was that a rotten season)
2010-2011: Hello, Book of Mormon (one of my favorite openings)
2011-2012: Seize the Day, Newsies
2012-2013: Raise You Up/Just Be, Kinky Boots
and for this year (out of what I've seen): "To Build a Home" from The Bridges of Madison County

Updated On: 4/1/14 at 01:01 PM

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 1:04pm

However, the sequel to the Lion King came out a year AFTER the Broadway show.

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 1:05pm

Yes, so if the show came out FIRST, then the song was originally intended to be part of it. (I think it's the best song in the score.)

[jacksprat]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 2:04pm

I believe the problem lies in the fact that the song was released in 1995 on the "Rhythm of the Pridelands" CD. Goodness knows, the Tonys aren't always consistent, so it is debatable whether or not it would be considered eligible. One wouldn't allow any of the songs from Jersey Boys to be considered, as they were released via another medium prior to the stage show. On the other hand, songs from the Evita concept album also preceded the stage show, and it would seem reasonable to allow those songs to be eligible.

Maybe it comes down to whether or not a song pre-released via means other than on stage was intended to ultimately make it to the stage, and whether the waiting period was reasonable, (only a year or two, not decades...)

Seems funny arguing over Tony eligibility rules for a category that is speculative.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 4:37pm

Really?! "Hello" and "I Believe" would have won 2010-2011 instead of "Go Back Home" from SCOTTSBORO BOYS????? Is that a joke?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 5:06pm

^that whole list is a joke.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 6:22pm

Um, given that Mormon won 9 Tonys and Scottsboro won zero, I think it's safe to say either "Hello" or "I Believe" would have won.

Updated On: 4/1/14 at 06:22 PM

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 6:38pm

1998-99: The Old Red Hills of Home (Parade)
1999-2000: Queenie was a Blonde (The Wild Party)
2000-01: Keep It Gay (The Producers)
2001-02: I See a River (Urinetown)
2002-03: A Year Frog and Toad (Frog and Toad)
2003-04: Laundry Finish (Caroline, or Change)
2004-05: The I Love You Song (Spelling Bee)
2005-06: Show Off (The Drowsy Chaperone)
2006-07: The Song of Purple Summer (Spring Awakening)
2007-08: Paciencia y Fe (In The Heights)
2008-09: I Miss the Mountains (Next to Normal)
2009-10: No Award
2010-11: Go Back Home (The Scottsboro Boys)
2011-12: No Award
2012-13: When I Grow Up (Matilda)

[rjm516]

Posted: 4/1/14 at 10:39pm

Oh fun! I wonder how often Best Song would not be from the Best Score winner. I feel like that could have happened with Next to Normal, obv the best score, but 'Electricity' taking Song. I think this year it would be "One Second and a Million Miles" from Bridges. I love that.
Love all the suggestions from "In The Heights" but I think the title song is the best!

[WestEndmasterclass]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 8:33am

'One Second and a Million Miles' would have to win this season. Stunning!

[Pumpkin]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 5:21pm

2001: Keep It Gay (The Producers)
2002: Forget About The Boy (Thoroughly Modern Millie)
2003: Good Morning Baltimore (Hairspray)
2004: Popular (Wicked)
2005: Find Your Grail (Spamalot)
2006: No Award
2007: Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind (Spring Awakening)
2008: Paciencia y Fe (In The Heights)
2009: You Don't Know/I Am The One (Next To Normal)
2010: No Award
2011: Turn It Off (Book of Mormon)
2012: If You Want Me (Once)
2013: Naughty (Matilda)

[jacksprat]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 12:14am

2014: I've Decided to Marry You (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder)
2015: Ring of Keys (Fun Home)
2016: Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) (Hamilton)
2017: Waving Through a Window (Dear Evan Hansen)

Updated On: 4/18/17 at 12:14 AM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 12:18am

Fun thread to revive!

2014: "One Second and a Million Miles" (The Bridges of Madison County)
2015: "Ring of Keys" (Fun Home)
2016: "Satisfied" (Hamilton)
2017: "Waving Through a Window" (Dear Evan Hansen) OR "Dust and Ashes" (The Great Comet) OR "Charming" (The Great Comet) 

Updated On: 4/18/17 at 12:18 AM

[TheThreadMaster]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 12:28am

For this year, either Words Fail from Dear Evan Hansen or Welcome to the Rock from Come From Away

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 12:32am

2014: "One Second and a Million Miles"- The Bridges of Madison County

Nominees:

I've Decided to Marry You- A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

To Build a Home- The Bridges of Madison County

Always Starting Over- If/Then

 

2015:"Ring of Keys"- Fun Home

Nominees:

"A Musical"- Something Rotten!

"Changing My Major"- Fun Home

"Love and Love Alone"- The Visit

 

2016:"Satisfied"- Hamilton

Nominees:

"She Used To Be Mine"- Waitress

"My Shot"- Hamilton

"Sun is Gonna Shine"- Bright Star

2017: 

Nominees:

"Waving Through A Window"- Dear Evan Hansen

"Charming"- The Great Comet

"Dust and Ashes"- The Great Comet

"You Will Be Found"- Dear Evan Hansen

[BroadwayMan5]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 1:05am

Not listing full ideas for each year but a few I would have nominated each year:

 

1997-98: They Live in You (The Lion King)/New Music (Ragtime)

1998-99: Freedom's Child (The Civil War)/This is Not Over Yet (Parade)

1999-00: I Know the Truth (Aida)/Elaborate Lives (Aida)

2000-01: I Wanna Be a Producer (The Producers)

2001-02: Gimme Gimme (Thoroughly Modern Millie)

2002-03: Good Morning Baltimore (Hairspray)

2003-04: Only for Now (Avenue Q)/Defying Gravity (Wicked)

2004-05: Find Your Grail (Spamalot)/The I Love You Song (Spelling Bee)

2005-06: Show Off (The Drowsy Chaperone)/Someday (The Wedding Singer)

2006-07: So Much Better (Legally Blonde)/The Bitch of Living (Spring Awakening)

2007-08: Breathe (In the Heights)

2008-09: I Am the One (Next to Normal)

2009-10: Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll (Memphis)/Memphis Lives in Me (Memphis)

2010-11: I Believe (The Book of Mormon)/Raise Your Voice (Sister Act)

2011-12: None? (The good Once/Newsies songs were in the film and therefore would not be eligible?)

2012-13: When I Grow Up (Matilda)

2013-14: I've Decided to Marry You (Gentlemen's Guide...)/Falling Into You (Bridges of Madison County)

2014-15: Welcome to the Renaissance (Something Rotten)/Ring of Keys (Fun Home)

2015-16: Satisfied (Hamilton)/It's Quiet Uptown (Hamilton)

Updated On: 4/18/17 at 01:05 AM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 1:43am

I think it is an interesting idea, but it'd be very hard to come up with the nominees, particularly with the number of shows opening so late in the season.  I think it would be much harder to immediately appreciate individual songs sufficiently to pick the single best vs. the overall score.  To go back in time, if opened the very end of their season -- so common today -- would there have been enough time to get it right?  All of the above lists have the benefit of time...makes it easier (even if I disagree with virtually every suggestion).  

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 9:23am

I LOVE this...

1997-1998

"Shadowland" THE LION KING

"Back to Before" RAGTIME

"Make Them Hear You" RAGTIME

"New Music" RAGTIME

"I Will Never Leave You" SIDE SHOW

1998-1999

"I Confess" FOOTLOOSE

"All The Wasted Time" PARADE

"You Don't Know This Man" PARADE

"Missing You (My Bill)" THE CIVIL WAR

1999-2000

"My Strongest Suit" AIDA

"Written in the Stars" AIDA

"Wake the Dead" JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD

"People Like Us" THE WILD PARTY

2000-2001

"Sirens" JANE EYRE

"You Walk With Me" THE FULL MONTY

"Keep it Gay" THE PRODUCERS

"When You Got it, Flaunt It" THE PRODUCERS

2001-2002

"Forget About the Boy" THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

"Gimme Gimme" THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

"Dirt" SWEET SMELLS OF SUCCESS]

"I See a River" URINETOWN

2002-2003

Not terribly familar with this year...so I'll just give it to "You Can't Stop the Beat" HAIRSPRAY

2003-2004

"Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" AVENUE Q

"Lot's Wife" CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

"Come On In From the Outside" TABOO

"Defying Gravity" WICKED

2004-2005

"The I Love You Song" THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

"Dirty Rotten Number" DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

"Fable" THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

"Find Your Grail" SPAMALOT

2005-2006

"I'm Here" THE COLOR PURPLE

"What About Love" THE COLOR PURPLE

"As We Stumble Along" THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

"It's Your Wedding Day" THE WEDDING SINGER

2006-2007

"Show People" CURTAINS

"Another Winter in a Summer Town" GREY GARDENS

"So Much Better" LEGALLY BLONDE

"Totally F*cked" SPRING AWAKENING

2007-2008

"Screw Loose" CRY-BABY

"96,000" IN THE HEIGHTS

"Breathe" IN THE HEIGHTS

"Amsterdam" PASSING STRANGE

2008-2009

"Get Out and Stay Out" 9 TO 5

"Electricity" BILLY ELLIOT

"You Don't Know/I Am The One" NEXT TO NORMAL

"Who I'd Be" SHREK

2009-2010

NO AWARD

2010-2011

"I Believe" THE BOOK OF MORMON

"Go Back Home" THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS

"Raise Your Voice" SISTER ACT

"Model Behavior" WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

2011-2012

NO AWARD (But I do really love "Dying Ain't So Bad" from BONNIE & CLYDE)

2012-2013

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" A CHRISTMAS STORY

"Joy of the Lord" HANDS ON A HARDBODY

"Sex Is In the Heel" KINKY BOOTS

"When I Grow Up" MATILDA

2013-2014

"One Second and a Million Miles" THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

"Almost Real" THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

"Always Starting Over" IF/THEN

"I've Decided to Marry You" A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER

2014-2015

"Ring of Keys" FUN HOME

"Changing My Major" FUN HOME

"August Winds" THE LAST SHIP

"Love and Love Alone" THE VISIT

2015-2016

"Sun Is Gonna Shine" BRIGHT STAR

"Satisfied" HAMILTON

"My Shot" HAMILTON

"She Used to Be Mine" WAITRESS

 

and my choices for this season!

2016-2017

"Me and the Sky" COME FROM AWAY

"Waving Through a Window" DEAR EVAN HANSEN

"Dust to Ashes" NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

"Pink" WAR PAINT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[coreman009]

Posted: 4/22/17 at 5:17pm

What I think would've won, not what I would've picked :

2001: Keep It Gay (The Producers) 

2002: Gimme Gimme (Thoroughly Modern Millie) 

2003: You Can't Stop The Beat (Hairspray) 

2004: Defying Gravity (Wicked) 

2005: Find Your Grail (Spamalot) 

2006: Show Off (Drowsy Chaperone)

2007: Touch Me (Spring Awakening) 

2008: 96,000 (In The Heights) 

2009: You Don't Know/I Am The One (Next To Normal) 

2010: Steal Your Rock n' Roll (Memphis)

2011: I Believe (Book of Mormon) 

2012: Can't pick a winner, Once & Newsies weren't original songs 

2013: When I Grow Up (Matilda)

2014: I've Decided to Marry You (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder)

2015: A Musical (Something Rotten)

2016: Wait For It (Hamilton)

2017: Waving Through a Window or You Will Be Found (Dear Evan Hansen)

[stevie3]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 12:17am

Objections, are you kidding me, I don't agree with any, Just for the hell of it, where did you grow up, what town and state, just curious

[bear88]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 1:52am

Two thoughts on this:

- Why isn't there a Tony Award for Best Song anyway? The dominant Broadway shows are musicals. It's not like the Oscars, where the "Best Song" is often embarrassing. It would also be a way to honor really good songs (as opposed to the overall score). Some musicals just have one great song, but not the best overall score. 

- Maybe there shouldn't be a Best Song award, if "The Room Where It Happens" isn't even mentioned for a nomination last year. I would have been appalled. (I have no problem with "Satisfied" winning, but Room was my favorite performance in a Broadway musical, and it's such a smart song, lyrically and musically.)