Dear Evan Hansen is a new musical written by Steven Levenson, with music and lyrics written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Dear Evan Hansen follows the story of a senior in high school who suffers from social anxiety disorder and has never had a real friend. The story goes through the events that happen right before and after a fellow classmate, Connor Murphy's, suicide, and Evan Hansen's attempt to make up a story that him and Connor were good friends. I don't want to give away anything more than I already have.
Through listening to the Dear Evan Hansen album, I noticed how beautiful the lyrics that Pasek and Paul wrote for this phenomenal show are. The writers wanted to make sure that the people who listened to their music understood that they are important and worth something in this world.
These lyrics from Dear Evan Hansen are beautifully written and should be heard by the world.
1. "I've learned to slam on the brake, before I even turn the key, before I make the mistake, before I lead with the worst of me." ("Waving Through A Window")
Everyone is too familiar with wanting to do something but deciding against it because they have psyched themselves out. Why do we do this? Why do we decide that we are not good enough or cannot do something before we even try? Before making a mistake, we do not even take the first step.
2. "Step out of the sun if you keep getting burned." ("Waving Through A Window")
When you stay out in the sun too long, most people will begin to turn red and burn (as someone very pale, I know this all too well). When you begin to burn, you should get out of the sun so you don't have long term skin damage, right? So, why do we continue to keep ourselves in situations that burn us or hurt us? We shouldn't keep ourselves in toxic situations that can harm us or cause long term damage, physically or mentally.
3. "No one deserves to be forgotten. No one deserves to fade away. No one deserves to disappear." ("Disappear")
I feel like this lyric is self-explanatory, but people still don't seem to get it. Everyone is important. Everyone has worth. No one deserves to disappear. End of discussion.
4. "When it all feels so big, 'til it all feels so small." ("So Big/So Small")
When everything seems to be too much to handle and you want to give up, keep going. When you think no one cares, someone does. There is someone who believes in you and can make everything that you think is so big feel so small.
5. "All you gotta do is just believe you can be who you wanna be." ("Sincerely, Me")
It can be hard sometimes to believe in yourself and your abilities. I struggled for a long time because I didn't believe that I had the ability to major in theater and succeed in it. I still struggle believing in myself sometimes, but if you believe in yourself, you can do anything.
6. "Even when the dark comes crashing through, when you need a friend to carry you, and when you're broken on the ground, you will be found." ("You Will Be Found")
This song is super important to me because even when life seems to give me too much to handle, you will be found. It's okay to ask others for help because some things are too much to handle alone. I rely heavily on others, and I think it's important to accept that sometimes, we need help, and we will be found.
7. "All I see is sky for forever." ("For Forever")
It doesn't matter how many clouds cause storms in our lives, the sun will always come out tomorrow with clear, beautiful skies. When storms come, always remember that the sky will come out clearer tomorrow.
8. "Today is going to be a good day, and here's why: because today at least you're you, and that's enough." ("Finale")
This lyric is currently my lock screen on my phone because it is so important to hear every day. Every day, I am me and that's enough, no matter what happens throughout the day. No matter what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow, at least I am me, and that's enough.
These are just eight lyrics from this stunning soundtrack that made me stop and think about just how important I am in this world, but the entire soundtrack is so worth the listen. Thank you, Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul for creating such beautiful theatrical work. The world thanks you.
