What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?

I'm running a contest that asks this question, and will reward one respondent with two free tickets to Bright Star.

But you needn't participate in the contest. I'm curious: What song would you nominate as the best that's been (written for and) sung on Broadway, past or present? And why is it the best?

For me, Some Enchanted Evening is the greatest song ever written. I enjoy nearly every version. It's just magic. 

"If I Loved You" from Carousel for so many reasons. The entire scene is perfection and the song just elevates the scene. The melody and lyrics are outstanding and to me, it is the perfect love song.

Origin of Love from Hedwig

"I know the truth" from Aida.

 

The way it builds up, to a glorious refrain, then tied up with a bow, before the second verse starts. Typically Elton John style and I love it.

"If I Loved You" gets my vote as well. I don't even like CAROUSEL but that song, both in function and beauty can't be matched.

All The Things You Are from Very Warm For May.  Kern and Hammerstein.  1939.  There probably has not been a better song written.  The show inspired Sondheim to go into musical theater.  Kander wrote a paper about the song in college.  (Interesting that they would go on to work together on Gypsy) The soaring melody falling harmony, perfect lyric, rhyme and sentiment. Even the way the sentiment lands on the voice and is amazing.

Mike Costa said: "All The Things You Are from Very Warm For May.  Kern and Hammerstein.  1939.  There probably has not been a better song written.  The show inspired Sondheim to go into musical theater.  Kander wrote a paper about the song in college.  (Interesting that they would go on to work together on Gypsy) The soaring melody falling harmony, perfect lyric, rhyme and sentiment. Even the way the sentiment lands on the voice and is amazing."

 

That's beautiful. The Dorothy Kirsten version:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l0welt3SK4

 

Reminds me a bit of Deanna Durbin, who I love:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oog1u_mbyr8

 

Mike Costa said: "All The Things You Are from Very Warm For May.  Kern and Hammerstein.  1939.  There probably has not been a better song written.  The show inspired Sondheim to go into musical theater.  Kander wrote a paper about the song in college.  (Interesting that they would go on to work together on Gypsy) The soaring melody falling harmony, perfect lyric, rhyme and sentiment. Even the way the sentiment lands on the voice and is amazing."

 

I do LOVE this song! If you haven't heard it, check out Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis' duet version. While I will always be partial to the solo, their vocals are phenomenal and it somehow works as a duet!

Ol' Man River or Soliloquy.

If I Loved You would be my third.

Among the best, especially since they follow each other in Sweeney Todd; the first is terrifying, the second is hilarious.

"Epiphany"

"A Little Priest"

 

I agree on "Sunday".  I will add "Children Will Listen" to the Sondheim list.

 

And, even though the show itself is not perfect, I love "Never Never Land" from Peter Pan.

My Shot from Hamilton, because it's from HAMILTON!

MichelleCraig said: "IF I LOVED YOU is pretty close to perfect and I can be really moved by it at times. However, SUNDAY gets me every time...especially the finale of the Sondheim Birthday Concert on Blu-ray. As it's presented there, what seems like hundreds of Broadway singers enter Avery Fisher Hall from the rear and side entrances to join a most notable cast of Broadway talent already on stage...in front of the New York Philharmonic to deliver one of the most beautiful versions of the song I've ever heard. There's a great shot of Sondheim in the audience when he realizes what is happening...he practically loses it as his emotions get the best of him. I tear up just typing this..."

 

I own this blu-ray and lose my s*** every single time this comes on. The end of the concert (from the 'women in red' segment until the credits) is utter perfection. Their rendition of 'Sunday' is absolutely stunning!