theory: songs that put me to sleep
theory: songs that put me to sleep
Joined: 12/31/69
#0theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 8:29pm
I have been reading the eleven o'clock number posts, which reminds me of a theory I have long had about certain numbers in musicals.
Often times what people think of as the eleven o'clock number puts many audience members to sleep. I believe there are many numbers in musicals which come towards the end of the show which don't quite live up to their potential. These are numbers that are often solo number, many times by the big star, that are supposed to be big and emotional, but instead put the audience to sleep.
Examples thereof:
"I'll forget you" from "The scarlet Pimpernell"
"I don't care Much" from "Cabaret"
"It Hurts to be Strong" from "Carrie"
"I Know where I've Been" from "Hairspray"
"I Know the Truth" from "miss Saigon"
"Flagmaker" from "Songs for a New World"
"Where am I going" from "Sweet Charity"
"I Guess I'll Miss the man" from "Pippin"
And others. I'd appreciate help in refining my so-called theory. I think some of these songs might work with the right perfrormers, but often because of miscasting and/ or poor staging, completely fall through. Then again, it could be the songs themselves, like with "Miss Saigon." Love the show. Hate that song.
What do you think?
#1re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 9:12pmWhat song are you referring to from "Miss Saigon"? The song "I Know the Truth" is from "Aida", though there may be another song of the same title that I am unaware of.
popular_elphie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/05
#2re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 9:14pm
"Love Sneaks In" from DRS.
I can barely keep my eyes open during that song.
#3re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 9:18pm
"the music that makes me dance" from funny girl
gosh, i absolutely love this song itself listening to it on the albulm, but in the context of the show, it's right before the three hour mark and although it does allow fanny to show her emotions, etc. it's just so fluid and slow jazzy it makes me so sleepy. now, i'm sure if i had seen the barbra streisand performance live on broadway, it'd be a different story.lol.
BrightEyedInNYC
"My Mother's punishing me for going to jail without permission!"
~Penny Pingleton from HaIrSpRaY
#4re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 10:58pm
I Know the Truth is the alternate version of Now That I've Seen Her -- right?
I like that song...
ANd I like I Don't Care Much also...
What exactly is your theory here? There are as many killer 11 o'clock numbers as so called ones that don't work....
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#5re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:02pm
I don't care much and Where am I going are 2 of my favorite songs from Cabaret and Charity so I'd disagree on those.
But add For Good and Nobody Needs to Know. Let the Norbert love begin upon me by those who hate me know, I'm ready
#6re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:12pmhey, i ADORE the leo butz, but i have to agree with you on "nobody needs to know." it's a gorgeous song and i love it, but in the show, this is the point where my eyelids start to get heavy. actually, when i'm listening to the CD, i can't listen to it at night if i'm driving. lol. besides, he is in a BED when he's singing it. lol. so, like i said....LOVE the song. just would put me to sleep.
"My Mother's punishing me for going to jail without permission!"
~Penny Pingleton from HaIrSpRaY
BSoBW3
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/06
#7re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:13pm
I DON'T CARE MUCH is a great song.
IT HURTS TO BE STRONG (which is the worst song of the show) is not the 11 o'clock number. That would be the beautifully haunting WHEN THERE'S NO ONE...or, if anything, I'M NOT ALONE.
I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN is not a sleeper, either...
So, nice try.
The smallest stream is a valent river. It will drown me if it can.
Updated On: 2/12/06 at 11:13 PM
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#8re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:14pm
"I Don't Care Much" - Cabaret
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#9re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:18pm
I think "Where Am I Going?" is an amazing song.
It's powerful done by the right actrerss.
#10re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:19pmGOODNESS! i LOVE "i know where i've been." it's an amazing showstopper that really stands out in a show completely full of "peppy" upbeat songs. it gave me chills when i saw it.
"My Mother's punishing me for going to jail without permission!"
~Penny Pingleton from HaIrSpRaY
Stand-by Joined: 12/31/69
#11re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:27pm
I love these songs, but these ones put me to sleep sometimes(especially when I need it!)
Nobody needs to know- L5Y
If I didn't believe in you- L5Y
There's a Fine, Fine Line- Avenue Q
For Good- Wicked
These ones I could just think off of the top of my head!!
#12re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 12:50amActually its the opposite for me. If Im tired and falling asleep the loud numbers put me to sleep. I know whenever I heard Defy Gravity I tend to get sleepy but I dont know why.
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
#13re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:14amYou must be a terrible date for the movies.
yr ronin,
joey
joey
#14re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 9:17am
First, if Nobody Needs To Know puts you to sleep, you're just not paying attention to the show.
Second, a show that lasts for just over an hour can't REALLY have an 11:00 number.
Third, I have a much bigger problem with OPENING the show with such a downbeat number (I'm Still Hurting) rather than having a quiet, emotional number (which isn't REALLY all that quiet what with the the clanging bells) sandwiched between two rather upbeat songs...
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#15re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:22amgood point, jasonf. still hurting is such a "downer" way to begin the show.
"My Mother's punishing me for going to jail without permission!"
~Penny Pingleton from HaIrSpRaY
#16re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:42am"Let's Walk" from Light In The Piazza. zzzzzzzzzzz
#17re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:43am
I feel like I am thread jacking. But I have to say that while "I'm still Hurting" is a downer way to begin a show, it's sort of how the concept works, and it is very emotional. Not a dull song at all. Of course this is all just in my own opinion.
As far as the sleepy songs go, I love Empty Chairs at Empty tables, but if sung without the correct passion it makes me want to sleeeeeeep.
"That Sondheim kid has a big future."-Nathan Lane
Updated On: 2/13/06 at 11:43 AM
#18re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 11:53amI love I'm Still Hurting -- I think the entire score is brilliant - but if you're going to complain about something, that seems a more legitimate complaint to me than that Nobody Needs To Know is a sleeper song.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#19re: theory: songs that put me to sleep
Posted: 2/13/06 at 8:57pm
For the record, I did not claim that these songs are eleven o'clock numbers. I simply meant that reading that thread reminded me of these sleepy songs.
I also didn't mena that I don't like these songs. I like most of them. I simply mean that in the wrong hands, and sometimes even in good hands, they can put the audience to sleep. Really, I do love most of these. They are just difficult to master, or possibly some are impossible.
(I love "Where am I going" too. Charlotte wasn't bad at it)
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