What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
#1What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 12:24pm
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?
HarrietTaylor
Swing Joined: 7/16/15
#2What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 1:57pm
The first that came to mind is Stars from Les Mis. It's a beautiful song that does an amazing job of humanizing an antagonist.
That description also works well for Hamilton's Wait For It, a recent favorite.
hankcolson
Swing Joined: 3/1/16
#3What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 2:12pm
For me, Some Enchanted Evening is the greatest song ever written. I enjoy nearly every version. It's just magic.
#4What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 2:13pm
The Impossible Dream
....but the world goes 'round
#5What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 2:14pm
"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.
#6What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 2:31pm
Definitely Sinisterio from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
The Other One
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/1/08
#8What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:08pm
I might like other songs more, I am a ballad person, but the best Broadway song ever, the ultimate Broadway song in my opinion, is "There's No Business Like Show Business." It's tuneful, it's witty and it says it all.
Dave19
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
#9What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:11pm
"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.
#10What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:12pm
Tonight Tonight. West Side Story!
When They Go Low, I Go High
#11What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:16pm
"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.
Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
#12What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:27pm
Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George
It's an absolutely beautiful piece of music.
#13What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:30pm
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.
alexbenson
Swing Joined: 3/1/16
#14What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:43pm
I am partial to the Gershwins but for me "Summertime" is the classic of the American Songbook. Sondheim called them among the best lyrics ever.
Dave19
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
#15What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:43pm
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
#16What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 3:59pm
Those are nice versions, Dave19.
Here is a reconstruction of the original by some of the greatest voices on Broadway.
The chorale arrangement at the end is pretty much astonishing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf80ntbCLCc
#17What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 4:08pm
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!
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#18What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 4:10pm
"Tomorrow" from ANNIE.
Every generation knows this song which validates its inclusion in here.
Inspiring "little girls" (and boys) since 1977.
10086sunset
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/16
#19What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 4:17pm
Ol' Man River or Soliloquy.
If I Loved You would be my third.
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#20What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 4:19pm
Another vote for "Sunday." Every time I have seen that show, without fail, it has made me cry -- both times it appears in the show. A masterwork.
#21What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 4:36pm
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.
BakerWilliams
Leading Actor Joined: 2/1/16
#23What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 5:04pm
My Shot from Hamilton, because it's from HAMILTON!
#24What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 5:05pm
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...
#25What's the Best Broadway Song Ever?
Posted: 3/16/16 at 5:14pm
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!
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