Worst song ever written for a musical- Page 4

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:35am

Gav,

 

Your use of $ instead of s gives you the answer right there.

 

Very considerate of you, though, to respect our sensibilities.

Updated On: 5/30/16 at 08:35 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:43am

devonian.t said: "Add me to the list of those who love Passion- the last 15 minutes are some of the most rhapsodic and beautiful in all musical theatre- in the same way Sondheim channels such spiritual beauty at the end of Act 1 in Sunday in the Park. 

 

I wholeheartedly agree, although I would add that the second act sequence from Move On to the end is even more beautiful than the first act finale.  

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:48am

"Something Greater" from APPLAUSE.  ("Being to your man what a woman should beeeeeeeee...."

[devonian.t]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:50am

"Oops, there goes my morning coffee!"

Sorry to have set your incontinence off again.

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:53am

^^^

Actually, I suspect you'd be more than pleased.

But you gave me more than a few laughs this morning, so thanks for that!

[devonian.t]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:59am

A8, I'm glad we amuse each other- I assume that is the intention.

Marvin I stand corrected- that sequence from Move On is sublime.  At the National Theatre in London it was utterly breath-taking.

[The Other One]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 9:01am

Knock Knock, from Flora, The Red Menace.

[RW3]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 9:02am

WhizzerMarvin said: "Ah, yes! Oh could I forget "I love flannel on a man," which I believe is followed with "it will complement his tan." 

If Joe is out in California getting a tan by the pool, why is Norma dressing him up in flannel?!?! 

 

I adore Passion. I think it's one of not just Sondheim's best, but the genre's best scores. For those not liking it, have you only ever heard it on disc or have you seen it in performance too? Doyle's production at CSC a few years ago is what really put me over the moon about it, so seeing it live really made me appreciate how effective it is.  


I first listened to the cast recording on Youtube and I really didn't like it. Then, I watched the Great Performances video of the show and was just turned off even more.

 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 9:10am

Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell demolished me at the recent Roundabout revival. When she said "They are your words, George. The ones you uttered so often when you worked," I became a blubbering mess. It became worse when Evans continued: Well, the greens are a little darker. The sky a little grayer. Mud tones in the water. But the air is rich and full of light." Forget about it when the cast all bowed down to George singing then Sunday reprise! I can't even listen to it on my iPod in public because I start to cry. 

[devonian.t]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 9:14am

You'll need a tissue in a minute!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 11:41am

Scarywarhol said: "I never knew people hated "Little Lamb"! I always found it... inoffensive. And always liked, "I wonder how old I am."

 

"

I was about to say that I think Little Lamb and the Rocky song were among the worst I could remember when I saw this.  Then I thought about it.  I think the issue with Little Lamb -- which I really do hate and wHose purpose I really do understand -- is that it is part of the Gypsy score; and, given the number of times most of us have either seen the show or movie or listened to the recording, nausea sets in when this particular ditty comes on.  It is a song with a specific objective and when the objective is accomplished, repeatedly listening is hard, because it is so 'precious'.  Just my opinion.  So, even though I think it is one of the worst, it really isn't.  I just don't ever want to hear it again.  

I love Little People.  

 

[@z5]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 11:50am

Anything from Amazing Grace.

[hork]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 12:40pm

WhizzerMarvin said:   For those not liking it, have you only ever heard it on disc or have you seen it in performance too?

Only on disc, and actually only the first few songs. I just couldn't do it anymore. And I listened to the entirety of Starlight Express.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 12:45pm

^I recommend that you listen to the 2013 cast album (Judy Kuhn and Rebecca Luker) of Passion.  It's an odd show that borders more on a surreal chamber opera, but the score is very beautiful.

Updated On: 5/30/16 at 12:45 PM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 2:56pm

I really want PASSION to be put on by someone near me so I can finally see it live. I'm another who has never been "into it" on disc but there have been many musicals that I didn't really get until I saw them live.

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 3:46pm

I'll admit Passion was a challenge but not close to "worst" anything on Broadway.  And comparing Hitler/Chancellor and Passion/Tony is unfair and doesn't make sense.  Hitler spoke to enough people who felt abandoned by their government - something that seems to be happening now with at least two of the three Presidential candidates...but that's for another thread.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 4:06pm

The one from Finding Neverland where they're all just spouting nursery rhymes. I like the majority of the score, but that song is an embarrassment. 

[mikem]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 4:09pm

I don't have a problem with Little Lamb.  It's Mr Goldstone that I think is the worst song in Gypsy.  I don't find the melody or the lyrics to be that strong, and I don't think a song is needed at that spot in the show.  Mr Goldstone is the song I skip over whenever I listen to a recording.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 5:58pm

VintageSnarker said: "" I never knew people hated "Little Lamb"! I always found it... inoffensive. And always liked, "I wonder how old I am." "

I think the first time I encountered someone saying they disliked it was a Seth Rudetsky video. I've always found it sweet and a nice moment for Louise pre-Gypsy Rose Lee.

 

"

I absolutely agree, especially if we imagine the show with Ethel Merman in the lead. After 50 minutes of brass we need a nice, little ballad. And Louise is what--about 14--when she sings that song--and a very sheltered 14 given her "home schooling".

Updated On: 5/30/16 at 05:58 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:01pm

Mr. Nowack said: "I really want PASSION to be put on by someone near me so I can finally see it live. I'm another who has never been "into it" on disc but there have been many musicals that I didn't really get until I saw them live.

 

"

I LOVE PASSION, but the record quite adequately represents the show. You won't get an epiphany from the staging. Just imagine the ugliest, brown set you have ever seen and spoken lines that are largely redundant. I think one could be entirely successful simply staging the recording.

(ETA I take this back. If Whizzer says he came to understand the show by seeing it, then I believe him. I, too, saw the show before the CD came out, so maybe that influenced my experience of it.)

 

Updated On: 5/30/16 at 06:01 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:09pm

After Eight said: "Gav,

 

Your use of $ instead of s gives you the answer right there.

 

Very considerate of you, though, to respect our sensibilities.

 

"

I promise you I was only trying to avoid the dreaded ****.

Using euphemisms to protect adults from words is the most condescending thing imaginable!

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:15pm

mikem said: "I don't have a problem with Little Lamb.  It's Mr Goldstone that I think is the worst song in Gypsy.  I don't find the melody or the lyrics to be that strong, and I don't think a song is needed at that spot in the show.  Mr Goldstone is the song I skip over whenever I listen to a recording.

 

"

Apparently, Sondheim agrees with you, calling "Goldstone" a "one joke song".

I think it's there primarily to give Merman a third belter in the first Act. Otherwise, she sings only ballads between 'Some People" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses". Also, it represents a moment in which Rose believes her dreams have come true, so it would be odd not to mark it with a song.

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 7:09pm

"Using euphemisms to protect adults from words is the most condescending thing imaginable!"

 

Banning offensive words from one's vocabulary altogether would be the best protection of all for everyone. That goes both for those who post in on-line forums, and lyricists as well. It would make our existence a little nicer, and certainly, our theatregoing a more pleasurable experience. And we wouldn't have to suffer ghastly songs like No Place Like London.

Updated On: 5/30/16 at 07:09 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 8:59pm

So...no freedom of speech for A8.  Okay.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 11:50pm

I just saw Paramour  and I think any number would be a reasonable response to this thread prompt.